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Gearbox oil... wow

2.4K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  Noizemaker  
#1 ·
I just had my car serviced at 31k miles. I got the gearbox oil changed out for some Redline MT-90 and wow the difference is amazing.

1st slots in sooo much easier now.
2nd as well, goes in much easier especially when cold.
2nd to 3rd used to almost always result in a crunch/grind feeling unless I rev matched - but now I can be as lazy as I want and it never grinds!!
5th had developed a bit of grinding similar to 3rd over the past year as well but that has gone now as well!

Still, it didn't fix reverse. That is still a pain in the arse to get on a cold morning rotfl

Bit peed off with the dealer that serviced my car last year. I asked them to change the gear oil then but the specialist that serviced my car just this weekend said the oil was "very dirty and old".

Will never use a dealer to service my cars ever again.
 
#2 ·
Glad your car feels better, though, I wouldn't jump to conclusions about the dealership not changing the gear oil, they most likely put the stock stuff back in. The redline has an improved feel over stock stuff, even if the stock stuff is fresh. He may just be pushing you to do more business with him, by casting a shadow of doubt on the dealership.

If you are happy with the work done, by all means continue going to him, but I wouldn't go as far as to say the dealership lied to you.
 
#3 ·
Nah the specialist was cool about it and if anything it was me asking HIM about the condition of the old oil.

When the dealer serviced it last year I didn't notice any change in the gear shift, at all. And then coupled together with what the specialist told me... kind of made me believe that it just wasn't changed out as requested!

Anyway that's another matter.

Redline MT-90 :up: I heard about it on this forum so just wanted to say Thanks :clap: to everyone here. It's a Yankee oil brand as well :bow:
 
#4 ·
Redline makes a great product... I use their engine oil in my Lotus as well.

The MT-90 makes the most difference on track where you have a lot of high RPM shifts with a really hot gearbox. I give it a big :up:
 
#5 ·
Excellent to hear... I don't have RedLine available here, but I'm assuming Royal Purple will work as good? I'm up to near 20k miles and planning on changing it out during my next oil change. Any one here running the Royal Purple in their transmission and if so what weight?
 
#8 ·
Still, it didn't fix reverse. That is still a pain in the arse to get on a cold morning...
What exactly happens with your reverse gear engagement? Does it grind when trying to select reverse or is it quiet and just doesn't want to engage?
If it grinds, your clutch could be hanging up slightly causing the input shaft to be driven and spinning which is usually a failing pressure plate or the clutch hydraulic system having air in it or a slave or master cylinder failing. If it is just hard to get into gear without any noises, the next time selecting reverse is difficult, put the gear lever back to neutral, let off the clutch pedal, then step on it again and try again to select reverse. Sometimes repositioning the input shaft and gears by engaging and disengaging the clutch helps make it easier to select reverse.
 
#9 ·
It doesn't grind. It just doesn't go in as though there is a invisible forcefield preventing it. So yeah sounds like the cogs just aren't lining up. I'll try out what you said next time it happens, thanks.
 
#11 ·
MT-90 and some Shock Proof you would be amazed at the difference. That and do try to change out the fluid more often if you have LSD your syncros will thank you.
 
#12 ·
With regards to the Reverse situation, i ran into that the first time i drove my car.

... I then remembered the trick i've had to do with every cable-shift car i've ever had.

Clutch in.
First gear.
Reverse.
Clutch out.

Something about grabbing first before reverse lines everything on that shaft up better, and no multiple engagements of the throwout involved.