Date:         Tue, 16 May 2000 15:17:22 -0400
Reply-To:     Éric Giroux <eric.giroux@NRC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Éric Giroux <eric.giroux@NRC.CA>
Subject:      Re: Pennzoil GL-5 gear oil - OK to use?
Comments: To: Tobin Copley <tobin.copley@UBC.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <p0431010cb54747815bfe@[142.103.139.103]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Tobin,

I'm not sure you can use GL-5 in your vanagon transmission

Read below, from the Redline site:

------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------

But I know nothing about transmissions (trans-what?).  Is the vanagon
tranny a 'synchromesh' transmission?  Does it have brass or bronze
synchros??  If it does, then GL-5 appears to be a no-go.

Comments anyone?

Éric





At 11:46 2000-05-16 -0700, Tobin Copley wrote:
>At 11:18 AM -0700 5/16/00, Shawn Wright wrote:
>>While I wait for my new ring & pinion set, I am still pondering the
>>choices for
>>gear oil on my Vanagon trans:
>>
>>Redline MT90 (GL-4) $15 /liter
>>Pennzoil GL-5 (dealer/repair shop standard) $cheap
>>VW synthetic $28 /liter
>>
>
>I was going to throw Pennzoil GL-5 into my tranny in a few days as I
>change the oil that's been in there forever.  Any reason why I should
>not do this?  I don't need high performance or anything.  The
>Pennzoil is fine, ain't it?
>
>T.
>--
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Tobin Copley   Bowen Island, BC, Canada              tobin.copley@ubc.ca
>
>'82 westy 1.6L NA diesel ("Stinky")
>'97 son Russell                                   =============
>'99 daughter Margaret                            /_| |__| |__|:| clatter
>1995: 'Round US, Mexico, Canada 15,000 mi       O|.           .| clatter!
>1996: Vancouver to Inuvik, NWT   7,400 km        ~-()-==----()-~
>Previous buses: '76 westy deluxe (Daisy), '76 westy standard (Mango)
>