suitable oils

[edwardsj]

Hi all,

I'm getting into looking after my own car (saves money, time, plus I like knowing excatly what has been done to my vehicle). Next week I'm planning on draining the (manual) gearbox and treating it to some fresh oil.

I can get some oils and lubricants from work, but I am unsure if the gear oil that I can get for free is suitable. I wouldn't want to put it in and find that two months later I need to replace a set of oil seals (best case) or the whole gearbox (worst case). The oil is Castrol Alpha SP 220 . Web link:

Alpha SP

It would be great if someone wiser about oils than me could tell me if its any good for my purpose, or weather I'd be turning my car into a death trap! The recommended oil is 75w/80w. I can also get hold of Castrol Hyspin AWS 32, which is a hydraulic fluid which I hope someday might be useful for something. Link:

Castrol Hyspin AWS

Many thanks for reading!

James

[MagicRat]

The Alpha SP 220 oil seems a bit thick for the trans in your car. It is also not a multi grade oil, that it has a single viscosity index number of 95.

The 75W80 spec for your car requires a multigrade oil that has additives which reduce the 'thinning' of the oil as it heats up. The Alpha oil does not have these.

Theoretically, the Alpha oil would produce slightly stiffer, heavier shifting feel, especially when cold, and may provide less protection to the bearings when cold.
75W-90 oil does not cost much, so its best you buy the right stuff.

As for the hydraulic oil, I have used lots of that stuff in industrial hydraulic systems. The only system in your car it might be useful for is the power steering system (if your car has one).
I have used it in PS systems without harm, but I prefer to use proper power steering fluid.

[curtis73]

Agreed, and some of those oils thnned significantly at 100*. The AWS 97 oil rated at 100 cSt at 40 had a cSt of 11.1 at 100*. Not good oil for an automotive tranny.

Check out Redline's products. If you want some really good stuff and don't mind paying a little more, they have an MTL product (stands for manual transmission lube) that combines some of the better features of ATF and the viscosity benefits of a heavier gear oil.

They also make some superior 75w80 straight gear oil.

[edwardsj]

Thanks guys! That's sound advice indeed. I guess I'll be splashing out on oil..

BTW, that was my first post. What a fanstastic community! I look forward to being a part of it