Date:         Tue, 29 Aug 2000 07:28:45 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.com>
Subject:      Re: Who makes GL-4 transmission oil and why do I need it?
Comments: To: David Marshall <vanagon@volkswagen.org>
In-Reply-To:  <3.0.3.32.20000828212331.00edac0c@mail.abccom.bc.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 09:23 PM 8/28/00 -0700, David Marshall wrote:
>I've been going all through the parts stores here in town asking for GL-4
>transmission fluid for my 88 Syncro.  I can get a 80-90 weight 60L bucket
>(Synthetic) by Castrol for about $225 Canadian - it is a bit much is
>quantity and price for me.  All the parts places are telling me that I am
>crazy and that GL-5 will work just fine in a VW - somewhere I remember
>reading that GL-5 is not good for a transmission and this is what is in
>there now - GL-5 Castrol Synthetic installed by the Volkswagen Dealer this
>time last year.  I understand that RedLine makes GL-4 but I really don't
>want to send away to the USA for it as shipping will kill me is there an
>Alberta or British Columbia source for RedLine?  The last time I bought 25L
>of GL-5 it cost me $32 (Penzoil) and this is a pretty fair price IMHO.  If
>someone can tell me the hows and whys of GL-4 and GL-5 and tell me the
>advantages and disadvantages of different weights it would be highly
>appreciated!
>


Without going into all the minute details, GL4 is for trannies that have
"yellow" metal syncro rings.  GL5 will trash the rings.  StaLube makes a
dino based GL4 80W90 that works well.  It can be hard to find, you might
want to check an agricultural supply dealer for it.

Good Luck
Chris Smith