Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 09:25:06 -0800
Reply-To: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Switching from GL5 to GL4 Gear Oil: Findings
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Hi all.
Since "new", I'd run two types of GL5 oil on my AA rebuilt transaxle.
With either, engine cold, I saw stiff shifting until vehicle driven
some miles, difficulty getting into 2nd gear and with engine off,
difficulty shifting into gear without depressing the clutch pedal.
While driving, the gears would sometimes "catch" going into 2nd.
I recently put int Redline MT90. I'd used it in another transaxle
before but didn't realize until now that it's an actual GL4 rated oil.
The Redline greatly improved all the issues. My clutch, hydraulics,
linkage bushings etc. are ok and though this bus has a shortened WBX
shift linkage, I don't think this modification introduced any glaring
alignment issue in the linkage; the previous transaxle worked ok until
it stuck in 4th a few times. The engine has slightly more HP than a
2.1 WBX.
Once the Redline MT90 was in, even with the engine off and cold,
shifting felt MUCH smoother. Like it felt normal. On the test drive,
shifting felt better right away. On a recent colder weather camping
trip, shifting was a complete joy. On one cold morning, the first few
shifts into 2nd might feel a little stiff but this quickly improved.
I'm not saying all GL5 gear oils might cause the issues I saw. e.g. my
'88 Westy shifts ok with Lucas GL5. Sorry. Can't recall if it's the
synthetic or mineral type. Other car enthusiasts endorse GL4 as the
correct type for a transmission/transaxle using brass parts. e.g.
Corvair
http://www.widman.biz/Corvair/English/Links/Transaxle.html
I will probably put in Brad Penn "Classic" gear oil in the future
http://www.penngrade1.com/Products/Gear-Lubricants/GL4-SAE-80W90.aspx
This is probably "old news" to most listers here but for me,
no more GL5 ! ;)
Neil.
--
Neil n
Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
