82 replies to this topic

[fezzasus]

Use this one like Opieoils recommend. Has the oem GM number on it! (look with specs) http://www.opieoils....sion-fluid.aspx

 

 

 

Use this one like Opieoils recommend. Has the oem GM number on it! (look with specs) http://www.opieoils....sion-fluid.aspx

I went for the Motul Motyl this time... I'll see what gives !

 

 

I'd be very careful using anything other than GM branded gear oil, unlike engine oil, gear oil doesn't have published specifications, so no one knows exactly what the vehicle manufacturer wants when trying to design an aftermarket oil. 

 

They do some testing, and it seems to be okay. The oil company will then state something like 'suitable for use with...', but the car manufacturer has never approved the lubricant for use, or seen any data to suggest the product is suitable.

 

Manual transmissions are relatively simple so it's probably not the end of the world, however i'll stick to using the GM stuff.

[tibby]

Me and another German member (both have the same set up ,-400ps) had problems with GM gearbox oil. His freshly rebuilt box went bad after 1 year of use. Went from 75w90 to GM oil like i did. 75W90 had bad gearchanges wen cold. With the GM oil, 75w80/85 this was a bit better. But this oil is not good for higher power set ups...When hot, stiffer changes! I did A LOT of gearbox testing with different oils..... The oil that Opie recommended , Fuchs, is just perfect for me... My GM gearbox oil smelled burned after 1500km of NORMAL/spirited use!! The F23 box only uses a GL4/+ oil. The Fuchs is a GL 5 oil which is NOT recommended for our boxes. I was a bit sceptical about it but did take the plunge.Glad i did it!! Also the Fuchs is like water (really), also was sceptical about this..... When using the Fuchs, flush it with Fuchs (drive 50km normal) and refill with brand new. Give the box its time to adjust itself to this oil. I only can give you my own experiences about this. Everybody is free to choose it's own oils. But, my gearbox still lives! (do every year a gearbox oil change) grtz

[martinroger]

Use this one like Opieoils recommend. Has the oem GM number on it! (look with specs) http://www.opieoils....sion-fluid.aspx

   

 

Use this one like Opieoils recommend. Has the oem GM number on it! (look with specs) http://www.opieoils....sion-fluid.aspx

I went for the Motul Motyl this time... I'll see what gives !  

  I'd be very careful using anything other than GM branded gear oil, unlike engine oil, gear oil doesn't have published specifications, so no one knows exactly what the vehicle manufacturer wants when trying to design an aftermarket oil.    They do some testing, and it seems to be okay. The oil company will then state something like 'suitable for use with...', but the car manufacturer has never approved the lubricant for use, or seen any data to suggest the product is suitable.   Manual transmissions are relatively simple so it's probably not the end of the world, however i'll stick to using the GM stuff.

I went for the Motyl mostly... because it is GL4 and because you went for it a while back! Not tracking anyways..

[siztenboots]

Me and another German member (both have the same set up ,-400ps) had problems with GM gearbox oil. His freshly rebuilt box went bad after 1 year of use. Went from 75w90 to GM oil like i did. 75W90 had bad gearchanges wen cold. With the GM oil, 75w80/85 this was a bit better. But this oil is not good for higher power set ups...When hot, stiffer changes! I did A LOT of gearbox testing with different oils..... The oil that Opie recommended , Fuchs, is just perfect for me... My GM gearbox oil smelled burned after 1500km of NORMAL/spirited use!! The F23 box only uses a GL4/+ oil. The Fuchs is a GL 5 oil which is NOT recommended for our boxes. I was a bit sceptical about it but did take the plunge.Glad i did it!! Also the Fuchs is like water (really), also was sceptical about this..... When using the Fuchs, flush it with Fuchs (drive 50km normal) and refill with brand new. Give the box its time to adjust itself to this oil. I only can give you my own experiences about this. Everybody is free to choose it's own oils. But, my gearbox still lives! (do every year a gearbox oil change) grtz

 

can you remember what the fault in the gearbox was , bearing?

 

do you run with an gearbox oil cooler,  or undertray removed?

[tibby]

Original text from this topic: http://forum.opel-sp...ic=30502&st=135 Meine Winterarbeit wird leider sein, das Getriebe rauszubauen und zur Revision zu bringen (Synchronringe sind hin). Bei meiner letzten fahr lies sich der 2te Gang nicht mehr schalten, Nach mehrere versuchen keine Chance ihn rein zu bekommen. I do'nt have a gearboxcooler. With the GM oil i went for a 'half' undertray. Gertje did cut the big undertray in half (behind the 3th little screws). Now, with the Fuchs, drive with the full undertray and no problems. ps: i do'nt track my car. Think when tracking it, a gearboxcooler/extra naca ducts would be needed to prevent problems... grtz

[fezzasus]

I went for the Motyl mostly... because it is GL4 and because you went for it a while back! Not tracking anyways..

 

 

True, however that was before I developed any oils.

[martinroger]

I went for the Motyl mostly... because it is GL4 and because you went for it a while back! Not tracking anyways..  

  True, however that was before I developed any oils.

Ah... whoops? did it go bad for you?

[fezzasus]

 

 

I went for the Motyl mostly... because it is GL4 and because you went for it a while back! Not tracking anyways..    

  True, however that was before I developed any oils.

 

Ah... whoops? did it go bad for you?

 

No, I've had to change it a couple more times due to various driveshaft/engine issues. Nothing gearbox related. 

 

For the most part i don't think there is an issue using non-GM gear oil, however I thought I should post up how little certification there is for anything that isn't the GM branded stuff. For any big name brands, they'll care more about their image to risk a rubbish product, however it's the small ones you should worry about.

[martinroger]

 

 

 

I went for the Motyl mostly... because it is GL4 and because you went for it a while back! Not tracking anyways..    

  True, however that was before I developed any oils.

 

Ah... whoops? did it go bad for you?

 

No, I've had to change it a couple more times due to various driveshaft/engine issues. Nothing gearbox related. 

 

For the most part i don't think there is an issue using non-GM gear oil, however I thought I should post up how little certification there is for anything that isn't the GM branded stuff. For any big name brands, they'll care more about their image to risk a rubbish product, however it's the small ones you should worry about.

 

Gotcha, loud and clear. Thanks for the clarification Tom !

[Nev]

I've used generic synthetic 75w90 for years with no bad effects yet.

 

[tibby]

[quote
[/quote]
 
True, however that was before I developed any oils.
[/quote]

Hello,

Very interesting!

Are there any other oils you can recommend about this gearbox? Noticed it's very oil sensitive.......
Find it very strange a GL5 oil works in this box????

grtz

[tibby]

I've used generic synthetic 75w90 for years with no bad effects yet.

Hello, Do'nt you have problems with cold gearchanges (minus 0 °)? Grtz

[Nev]

 

I've used generic synthetic 75w90 for years with no bad effects yet.

Hello, Do'nt you have problems with cold gearchanges (minus 0 °)? Grtz

 

 

Hmm, it can be a bit stiff for a couple of miles on warm up, but after that it's fine.

 

I've inspected my gb oil many times and it is always fine and the gears are all fine too, so I pay almost no attention to the matter. My conical spherical bearings on the diff get knackered, but I don't think this is oil related.

Edited by Nev, 20 February 2017 - 10:06 PM.

[fezzasus]

visual inspection will show f all unless you've had catastrophic failure

[Nev]

The fact is that what I've used over the years has worked fine. My gearbox still works fine, the oil looks fine, the diff is fine. All after years of quite high torque.

 

I'm simply offering the OP my evidence based findings over the last 9 years and many many miles.

 

I think it's too easy to get wrapped up in unnecessary detail about this, that and the other and end up neurotic about inconsequential things. Gearbox oil being one of these.

Edited by Nev, 21 February 2017 - 07:43 AM.

[fezzasus]

The fact is that what I've used over the years has worked fine. My gearbox still works fine after years of quite high torque.

 

I'm simply offering the OP my evidence based findings over the last 9 years and many many miles.

 

It's bad advice. That inspection hasn't done anything and you've simply been lucky.

 

If you want a true idea of how well an oil is protecting your gear box, arrange an ICP (elemental analysis) of the used oil and keep a plot with time, shorter intervals are better.

[Nev]

 

The fact is that what I've used over the years has worked fine. My gearbox still works fine after years of quite high torque.

 

I'm simply offering the OP my evidence based findings over the last 9 years and many many miles.

 

It's bad advice. That inspection hasn't done anything and you've simply been lucky.

 

If you want a true idea of how well an oil is protecting your gear box, arrange an ICP (elemental analysis) of the used oil and keep a plot with time, shorter intervals are better.

 

 

Fine, as usual you know best in your ivory tower, and my evidence based suggestion is worthless.  

Edited by Nev, 21 February 2017 - 07:51 AM.

[fezzasus]

 

 

 

Fine, as usual you know best in your ivory tower, and my evidence based offering is worthless.  

 

 

Clearly you're forgetting the time you messaged me asking for help analysing your oil.

 

Nev, the company I work for has designed the lubricants for 1 in 3 vehicles in the world. I don't work in accounts, i'm not the cleaner. I lead technical developments of these oils. Almost everything that goes into the (now) largest car manufacturer in the world has gone through me. You're welcome to your own views, but when I say you've been lucky rather than adding any real protection, i'm right.

[Nev]

Sure I remember, but that was for engine oil, which is a completely different kettle of fish.

 

This thread is about gearbox oil, which has an easy life: no fuel contamination, no soot contamination, far less heat etc etc, hence why in my experience it is not worth becoming neurotic about.

Edited by Nev, 21 February 2017 - 08:15 AM.

[tibby]

Nev uses his oil I use my oil Fez uses his oil,....... Main thing is , we can drive without any troubles... Everybody needs to look for themselves what's best for them...