Transmission Oil Reccomendations

[hoff944]

Well as you can see from the title I'm about to change out my gear oil for the first time. Any reccomendations on oil, tips, tricks, hints, etc.? Looks pretty straightfoward but I like to research my new tasks when I'm going into uncharted waters.

[1.2gees]

Umm, make sure you don't overtorque it...

Most places recommend Redline, but keep in mind the 944 NA transaxle isn't same as most other Porsches.

I've talked to a few places who specialize in rebuilding vw transaxles, as well a few who do Porsches. Trend seems to be swepco non synthetic for the NA, I didn't see an improvement at all with redline in my own car, and I think this is probably accurate. As places who really seem to know what they're doing recommend swepco regular for the NA transaxle, while distinguishing the redline as the best fluid for turbos, and almost all 911 transaxles, (and very strongly on the G50) as well as 968s.

Rest is straight forward, you need a syringe to pump the new oil in, I used an antifreeze tester. (prestone)
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[e_nough]

you can flush the system by running 80/90 gear oil (available at napa) for 1 tank of gas before you put in the good stuff.

the napa oil comes in a handy bottle that fits up under the car and has a nozzle, and you won't need a turkey baster or medicine dropper to add your new oil.

good luck

also, see my post about how to do this without having to buy the 17mm allen wrench

[kaffine krazed]

I don't have the manual for my '83 944 in front of me but I belive it wants a GL-4 gear lube, I have contacted a few companies that make GL-5 and they say it is not backward compatible for tranmision/transaxle use.

I'm going to use Redline MTL as soon as I can get the car on the road and warm up the trans. Another oil I know that is a sythetic GL-4 is Castrol Syntorq LT 75W-80 it's sold at GM and Chrysler dealers.

[hoff944]

I've never heard of flushing it. Please elaborate.....

[kaffine krazed]

It's to help make sure all the junk that's in the oil is removed before you but in oil that costs $30 a qt.

[Dean Gurko]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kaffine krazed:
[B]I don't have the manual for my '83 944 in front of me but I belive it wants a GL-4 gear lube, I have contacted a few companies that make GL-5 and they say it is not backward compatible for tranmision/transaxle use.

Can you really *NOT* use GL-5? Both my 85.5 and 87 944's say GL-4 in the manual. So I can only get GL-4 from GM or Dodge dealers? Please inform.

Thanks, Dean

[88_944]

I just used 80w Valvoline gear oil in my change.


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PORSCHE There is no Substitute!

[This message has been edited by 88_944 (edited 05-24-2001).]

[kaffine krazed]

My understanding is one of the chemicals in GL-5 can corrode the syncros. I know if you go to www.mobil.com and look up there GL-5 gear lube it says not to use in a transmission/transaxle that requires a GL-4 rated oil.

You can get GL-4 nonsynthetic at most auto parts stores. There are now sevral companies make a synthetic GL-4 gear lube.

www.castrol.com Syntorq (I belive is only avalibe through GM and Chrysler dealers.)

www.redlineoil.com MTL and MT90

www.amsoil.com AGT, ALU

www.mobil.com SHC 50

[88_944]

Damn!! Does the 944 require GL4?

Mobilube HD® 80W-90 LS

Product Description

Mobilube HD 80W-90 LS is a multipurpose, heavy duty, extreme pressure gear lubricant designed specifically for limited-slip differentials. It is made with select, specially processed base oils that provide good stability at high temperatures and good performance at low temperatures. The naturally high viscosity index of the base oil, in combination with a specially designed extreme-pressure, limited- slip, sulfur-phosphorus additive package, results in a product of exceptional chemical and thermal stability. Antiwear and antifriction additives control wear, scoring, and frictional power losses. The product resists foaming, is compatible with normally used seal and gasket materials, and provides good protection against copper corrosion.

Applications

Mobilube 80W-90 LS is intended for topping-off and refill of limited-slip, final drive axles of passenger cars, trucks taxicabs, and contractor and farm equipment. It should not be used in automatic transmissions or manual transmissions or transaxles for which engine oil or automatic transmission fluid is recommended.

This product meets the performance requirements of the L-37 and L-42 full scale axle tests.

Mobilube HD 80W-90 LS is recommended for API Service GL-5, covering hypoid and other gears in passenger cars and other automotive equipment operated under high-speed shock-load, high-speed low torque, and low-speed high-torque conditions.

The exceptional chemical and thermal stability of Mobilube HD 80W-90 LS permits its use at intermittent bulk oil temperatures up to 149°C (300°F), with realistic drain and refill schedules. Steady operation temperatures above 260°F is not recommended without careful evaluation of lubricant drain intervals.

Mobilube HD 80W-90 LS is particularly suited for either topping-off or entirely refilling limited-slip type differentials.

Mobilube HD 80W-90 LS has the viscosity/temperature characteristics which enable it to meet the viscosity requirements of SAE 80W, 85W, and 90 grade products. It was developed for passenger car and truck limited-slip axles requiring SAE 80W to 90 grade products and has exceptional capabilities for temperatures down to -26°C (-15°F).

Advantages

Mobilube HD 80W-90 LS provides these benefits:


Excellent limited-slip performance
Uninterrupted performance under broad temperature variations
Excellent protection against wearing and scoring by high-speed and heavy gear loads
Superior protection against rusting, staining, and corrosion
Good thermal stability and foam resistance
Compatibility with seals and gaskets
Multipurpose capability to simplify inventory and minimize misapplication

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PORSCHE There is no Substitute!

[idontknow]

I recently replaced my tranny oil and found an easier way to get the new stuff in. I got a 4 ft piece of garden hose, snaked it from the fill hole and out to the fender, and slapped a funnel on the end. I poured the oil in till it spilled out. It worked great! Use a new piece of hose though, you don't want any extras in the tranny. As an afteroops, I used Swepco 201 80-90 oil. The tranny has 200+k miles on it and now the differential seals leak, both sides! Any good area for How-To articles?

[..P]

Amsoil 75W90 is rated for the 944 and it made a huge difference in my car. Mine has 165,000 on the odometer and was making some noise from the rear end, and I switched to the Amsoil, which has a superb rating. It quieted the tranny down, and made it so much easier to shift when cold. Very very good stuff. Here is a photo and direct link. Take a look at the specs, I doubt if you will find anything that can surpass it.

http://www.amsoil.com/products/tgr.html




I looked at the Mobil-1 gear lube, and it does not test out as well as this stuff does, by the way. Mobil also costs less, and I assume you get what you pay for. The Amsoil is rated from GL-2 through GL-5.

In dino oil, the sulfur would react with the yellow metals in the transmission and cause corrosion if it got hot enough. The Amsoil runs so much cooler due to low friction, etc. Because it made such a difference in the ole '84, I've made a point to use it in the other cars too. I highly recommend this product to anyone with a 944.

P

[mattdavis11]

Same here ..p. Amsoil made all the difference in the world on my car. GL2-GL5 rating. Take the fill plug out first.

[Zero10]

Amsoil made my nearly-destroyed transmission feel MUCH better.
I put cheap-o synthetic in it when I bought it, drove it for 7 months, then changed it to Amsoil, HUGE difference, reccomend it 100% (except if you drive at -30 degrees or lower, it stiffens up around there, but is good right until -30 celcius). Although the PO and the PO before him never changed it (9 years of ownership, on dino oil, not synthetic), so who knows, perhaps the cheap-o synthetic was still cleaning it out.


The neat thing about the Amsoil, is it's GREEN!!!

[RichMason]

Mobil one in my 951 was a big improvement over Swepco. I'm going to use amsoil at my next change though based on the testimonials on this board.

[divezic]

Mobil 1.

And to refill, go to the nearest auto parts store and buy a $10 hand pump made for oil. It's worth every penny, especially after you've been frustrated by pouring gear oil all over the garage floor instead of the trans.

[Panzer909]

I'm a big Swepco believer myself. My tranny always grumbled and was almost certain that a failure was not too far away. I changed out the oil once and a few small brass-looking particles came out! So I put in Swepco just to hold out on the inevitable rebuild.....




That was almost four years ago.

[UconnTim97]

The amsoil sounds good, I'll keep that in mind. I intend to change my trans oil later this summer.

[..P]

I'm running Amsoil in my 928S 5-speed (too), pretty good stuff. They also make a 75W140 which might be good for some of the trannys out there with lots and lots of miles.

P

[SCWDP911]

Originally Posted by e_nough

you can flush the system by running 80/90 gear oil (available at napa) for 1 tank of gas before you put in the good stuff.

the napa oil comes in a handy bottle that fits up under the car and has a nozzle, and you won't need a turkey baster or medicine dropper to add your new oil.

good luck

also, see my post about how to do this without having to buy the 17mm allen wrench

Is that reply in this thread?