Transmission Fluid, ???? Options

[mxhondarider832]

I have a '74 914 and the transmission is a little leaky and need to change the fluid, the book says to use straight 90w oil but I am having a really tough time finding it so I was wondering if there was a newer substitute that I could use. This is my first 914 and I am struggling a little bit and could use some help thanks

[underthetire]

OH no, you just poked a pimple. I use 80/90 standard crap now. Had redline$$$ MTL in it once. Shifts better with the cheap stuff. A lot of guys use Sweepco and they will soon respond and tell you where to get it. I think it's up to you how much to spend on the oil.

[Zundfolge]

I had a harder time finding the 17mm allen wrench locally than I did 90w.

[SirAndy]

Swepco 201 is expensive and the Cap'n will tell you it's no good but i've been running it for years with very good results.

It made a noticeable improvement in shifting from whatever the PO had used. Transmission oil is not really a "wear" item, which makes it easier to justify the extra expense for Swepco.

I cleaned up and re-sealed my 901 about two years ago and it's still bone dry.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) Andy

PS: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[tat2dphreak]

I'm using Valvoline 85w-90 I think it's a good oil at a good weight and that's what matters.

[Drums66]

Had redline$$$ MTL in it once.

That's what I use!........put whatever you want in it! as long as
it's expensive! LOL (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)(that's what you say)

[tod914]

Just put the Swepco in mine. Shifts much better like Mr. Andy said. Need another spoon in that pot?

[Mark Henry]

Just use the cheap gear oil and change it once and awhile.

Swepco does have some pretty blue dye in it, so you can't miss it if you have a leak.

[westgl]

Redline MTL is the old gearoil dont use it

USE: Redline MT90 it is Redlines latest, and works very well, much better than MTL.

my 2cents

Westgl

[ME733]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) ...bottom line is THIS If you have really good sycronizers the expensive trick shit oils (silicone oils, or oils with ptf,s, etc,) will work better than std transmission oils..(for a while)..IF you have an older transmission with unknown sycronizers use good old VALVOLINE transmission oil found in qt bottles at your local auto parts store...80/w/90.....85/w/90. the gear oil as originally equiped was about a 90 wt oil...without any additives...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[detoxcowboy]

make sure you get your fill plug off first before taking the drain plug off, that way if your fill plug is stripped stuck in there you won't be run dry with no way to fill it.. 80/90

[Dr Evil]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) ...bottom line is THIS If you have really good sycronizers the expensive trick shit oils (silicone oils, or oils with ptf,s, etc,) will work better than std transmission oils..(for a while)..IF you have an older transmission with unknown sycronizers use good old VALVOLINE transmission oil found in qt bottles at your local auto parts store...80/w/90.....85/w/90. the gear oil as originally equiped was about a 90 wt oil...without any additives...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Um, no.

Use 80w90 GL5 rated oil only. Redline oil is actually contraindicated in our gearboxes (hypoid gears).

Here is something to consider for those of you who are slaves to the colored oils:

The stock oil was 80w90 GL5 since 30 years ago. The stock oil lasted in abused and unabused gear boxes for 30 yrs.

The colored oils have detergent properties that can be good or bad, depending. Detergents keep the dirt and crap that gets into your gear box emulsified so that instead of settling to the bottom and forming a nice sludge that I find 30yrs later, it creates a nice abrasive lubricant that causes things to wear faster. You might do well to put a filter over the vent on the case, but I dont know for sure. All I know is that nothing settles out of the colored oils and that aint natural.

If you use the colored oils, change them often or suffer the abrasive consequences.

[detoxcowboy]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) ...bottom line is THIS If you have really good sycronizers the expensive trick shit oils (silicone oils, or oils with ptf,s, etc,) will work better than std transmission oils..(for a while)..IF you have an older transmission with unknown sycronizers use good old VALVOLINE transmission oil found in qt bottles at your local auto parts store...80/w/90.....85/w/90. the gear oil as originally equiped was about a 90 wt oil...without any additives...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Um, no.

Use 80w90 GL5 rated oil only. Redline oil is actually contraindicated in our gearboxes (hypoid gears).

Here is something to consider for those of you who are slaves to the colored oils:

The stock oil was 80w90 GL5 since 30 years ago. The stock oil lasted in abused and unabused gear boxes for 30 yrs.

The colored oils have detergent properties that can be good or bad, depending. Detergents keep the dirt and crap that gets into your gear box emulsified so that instead of settling to the bottom and forming a nice sludge that I find 30yrs later, it creates a nice abrasive lubricant that causes things to wear faster. You might do well to put a filter over the vent on the case, but I dont know for sure. All I know is that nothing settles out of the colored oils and that aint natural.

If you use the colored oils, change them often or suffer the abrasive consequences.

Listen to the DR. he is the 914 transmission Dr. 80/90 GL5

[Drums66]

Redline MTL is the old gearoil dont use it

USE: Redline MT90 it is Redlines latest, and works very well, much better than MTL.

my 2cents

Westgl

Maybe??.......whatever type,it works for me(redline) and
I've never had any issue's(20 years)our cars are 30 plus years old

[Dr Evil]

From the redline website found here:
http://www.redlineoil.com/content/files/te...Tech%20Info.pdf

"GEAR AND SYNCHRONIZER WEAR PROTECTION
Most manufacturers of manual transmissions and
transaxles recommend an 80W or 90W GL-4 lubricant.
GL-5 gears oils which are required in hypoid differentials
are not used in most synchromesh transmissions
because the chemicals used to provide the extreme
pressure protection can be corrosive to synchronizers,
which are commonly made of brass or bronze. Typically,
the use of a GL-5 lubricant in a synchromesh
transmission will shorten the synchronizer life by one
half. The extreme pressure requirements of spur gears
and helical gears found in transmissions are not nearly
as great as found in rear-wheel drive differentials. A
GL-4 lubricant provides adequate protection for most
manual transmissions, unless a unique design
consideration requires the extra protection of a GL-5."

"DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Red Line MTL may be used in transmissions which
recommend 75W, 80W, or 85W GL-4 gear oils, or SAE
30 or 5W/10W30 motor oils. If a 90W GL-4 or SAE 40,
10W40, or 15W40 is required, MT-90 may be used. If the
transmission or transaxle requires an SAE 90 GL-5 gear
oil, then Red Line 75W90NS or 75W140NS Gear Oil
may be used. In transmissions which recommend Dexron
or Mercon fluids we recommend our D4 ATF which is
very similar to the MTL, being a GL-4 Gear Oil also. The
D4 ATF will provide better low-temperature shiftability,
and the MTL would provide better wear protection for
racing use. MTL is not designed for use in rear-wheel
drive differentials. Those generally require a GL-5 lubricant
such as Red Line 75W90 Gear Oil. It is not necessary
to flush the transmission before replacing with MTL.
Remove the drain plug and drain while warm. Seal
compatibility has been designed to be similar to petroleum
lubricants, and leakage should be no greater than
any other oil of comparable viscosity. Being formulated
with extremely stable synthetic basestocks, MTL and
MT-90 will last much longer than conventional petroleum
lubricants. However, we do not recommend extended
drain intervals, since without a filtration system, there is
no way to remove metal shavings other than draining the
lubricant. The regular maintenance intervals are also
recommended to insure that the proper level of the fluid
is maintained."

I have found before that they specifically prohibited use with hypoid gears, but I do not see that here in such plain speak. OUr boxes need GL-5, but they do not have brass or bronze synchros so the wear there is not of concern. We do have such yellow metals with in the gear box, though, and the GL-5 stuff can attack and oxidize the metals so that they are not pretty...but after 30+ years this has not become a failure point or even a perceived failure point.

[Cap'n Krusty]

I don't recall EVER saying Swepco gear oil is bad, just that it's a waste of money. GL5 is the oil of choice, specified by the factory. What you MUST avoid is any "slippery" additives, as the synchronizers depend on FRICTION to work. Less friction, less effective synchros, more grinding, more dog teeth wear, more frequent (and more expensive) overhauls. As for Redline, I think the good Dr. has covered that very nicely. We have similar issues in Audi quattros. We use GL4 in the transaxles and GL5 in the rear diffs. Synthetic GL4 is specified, and it REALLY makes a difference in the life span of the tranny.

The Cap'n

[astronomerdave]

So, the people selling components to convert 914s to electric are saying to use Royal Purple. In fact, if you buy an EV conversion kit, 4 qts of Royal Purple are included. Beats me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Drums66]

Blah Blah Woof Woof..........I go by experience ,you can't believe
everything you read..... did you read my last post(20 years) same gear
oil, people have mind's of their own...I do! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif)

Come with the Drama asshole's!! no more from me on this topic!

[Dr Evil]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) is your problem?

[astronomerdave]

did you read my last post(20 years) same gear oil

yep.

just was adding what another group's opinion is. nothing more. hence the "beats me".

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)