|
Author |
Message |
colwyn500
Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 6:48 pm Post subject: Gear oil confusion EP. GL4. GL5 etc |
|
|
I have fitted a replacement gearbox to my Fiat 500, which is from a later model which has synchromesh fitted. The manufacturer recommendation is to use a non-EP gear oil to protect against erosion of the synchro rings and cones, ideally a multigrade somewhere in the range SAE 75-90.
It seems impossible to find a gear oil which is easily available that doesn't have some sort of EP additive. Although GL5 is stated by some to indicate that it has a lot of additives, there are GL5 oils that aren't prefixed "EP". I bought some "Comma" oil that was prefixed "SX" but it seemd as thin as water and is clearly (pun intended) intended for modern gearboxes. Some people state that GL4 means there are no or fewer additives but the ones I have found are all "EP".
If that distinctive gear-oil pong indicates the presence of the EP additive, I can't find a non-EP oil. I ended up buying some "miracle" US-made, Lucas gear-oil which didn't have the EP nomenclature, but on opening it I find it has the strongest smell of any I have experienced.
Has anyone got any suggestions please for an appropriate oil that can be bought in a real shop in the UK? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Phil - Nottingham
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham
|
Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 10:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
GL4 is quite safe and most recent GL5's are. Smith & Allen and others do GL4 and I always use it although have used GL5 without ill-effect _________________ Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1954 Location: East Yorkshire
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
colwyn500
Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland
|
Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 4:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Alastair, that is the right stuff; it just annoys me that I can't get it locally. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nickjaxe
Joined: 14 Jun 2013 Posts: 36 Location: North Cheshire
|
Posted: Tue May 30, 2017 7:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Far as I know GL4 is the old school gear oil that we used to use un the 60s 70s ect....thats what I was told my old 70s Landrover would be ok with and the brass and bronze internal would be fine with.
The book spec was EP90...but as you the numbers have changed.
Nick. _________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBlfYO46mI
My other hobby. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
|
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 12:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
I did not see this when first posted, but here is a detailed response to your basic question. (download the entire paper).
http://www.widman.biz/Corvair/English/Links/Transaxle.html
In short, if it says GL-5 on it, don't use it in synchronizers. Most of our older cars will love a GL-4 75W-90. I've moved my 1960 Corvair to it, and have put it in my Dauphine. There are also some new oils on the market that are GL-4+ with non Sulfur/phos additives, using magnesium or calcium sulfonate as EP agents. These are excellent. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Phil - Nottingham
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham
|
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Interesting link but things have moved on since then (2009). As GL4 is still readily available I will play safe and use it even though GL5 may now be OK _________________ Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
|
Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 2:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
All the principles and product technology is updated as of 2017, but I have not gone back and tried to study the US market offerings since 2009. The GL-4 and GL-4+ are a lot more available now, since they are required by car makers and even Volvo and Mack trucks. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MrWhite
Joined: 09 May 2017 Posts: 105
|
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My 1963 Super Minx says on the chassis plate that the Gearbox oil should be; Xp100 30. I know I am going back tp 1963 information but does anyone know what this means? Also, fromwhat has been said above I am assuming GL4 would be fine, maybe even GL5, likely from a classic range of oil rather than the same designed for modern cars? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
|
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That would most likely refer to an EP gear oil of the time (some brands used XP for eXtreme Pressure instead of EP), (actually prior to current additives and API classifications), and a viscosity of 100 cSt at 40ÂșC (which today would be called ISO 100), or SAE 30 on the engine scale, which is an ISO 100 on the industrial scale.
So what does that translate to in today's terms?
SAE 75W-90 on the SAE gear oil scale, with GL-4 or GL-4+ being the best EP choice for the metals composition. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MrWhite
Joined: 09 May 2017 Posts: 105
|
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow, excellent reply, sounds like you really know your stuff, thanks for that |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richardlw
Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 138
|
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
MrWhite wrote: | Wow, excellent reply, sounds like you really know your stuff, thanks for that |
Been restoring cars for 51 years, teaching auto mechanics for 47, and doing industrial lubrication and filtration audits along with University Tribology classes for 21 years.
Funny what you end up learning in life. _________________ Richard's Cars - NEW **
Motor oil for Flat Tappet Engines
Transmission oil |
|
Back to top |
|
|
trampintransit
Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 166 Location: Edinburgh
|
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 9:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Any questions like this...I cannot recommend more highly than to speak to Guy at Classic oils of Aylesbury. He will have whatever you need ...
https://www.classic-oils.net/ _________________ '60 Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire
'80 Reliant Scimitar
'47 Jaguar MKIV --- in bits!!!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|