tranny fluid on manual tranny

[avfan]

I just was reading old posts trying to up my knowledge on metros and saw a post from geozukigti that said to use 75w90gl gear oil and not 80w90
I didnt even look when I added fluid to mine,just added 80w90 to it and now have some trouble with getting gearbox into 2nd gear. Can I drain fluid out and refill with correct fluid and maybe trans magic or something to stave off tranny death and destruction? Any help will be greatly appreciated,thanks!

[turboshadow]

Drain and refill with GM synchromesh. You can get it at any of the quickie lube places. Never use 75-80-90 oil in a Suzuki trans unless you live in a warm place year round. Even then, I wouldn't use it.

[geozukigti]

75w90 castrol synthetic has done me well. But I would still recemmond the synchromesh over it. 80w90... agreed. no way. I lost a transmission in 3 weeks cause of 80w90.

[Crvett69]

if its hard getting into second gear new fluid probably won't fix it, most likely a bad syncro

[avfan]

I am only having trouble into 2nd while down shifting if that means anything. Does anyone know what a tranny would run from the japanese auto engine supplier's? I found an engine for about $250 from one of them.
avfan561

[theragtopguy]

Screw that, you can pick a used tranny up on e-bay for cheaper than that. I've seen them for around 100 bucks for a 5-speed. Keep your eyes out. And I agree that the 80W oil is too thick.

[avfan]

ok I looked up syncromesh on ebay and found some purple max stuff that runs $8.00 a quart which is fine ,but this car is my daily driver.Is there any where that carrys syncromesh in stock? GM dealers maybe? thanks for any help
btw... this am it was about 55 degrees when I drove to work and had no problems -maybe I can fix this before I shell the trans (:

[1989Buickguy]

Go to your local car parts store and ask for Sta-Lube SL2463-this is 75W90 New Generation Limited Slip Gear Oil that will work just fine in your synchromesh transmission.

Or if you prefer synthetic, ask for SL2482, this is Syn-Go 75W90 Multi grade synthetic oil.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

[avfan]

Update on tranny, once again I bow to your knowledge, I drained old fluid out and it looked like mud ,but refilled with syncromesh and drove all weekend and second gear came back! With any luck it will hold til summer and perhaps I will replace eng and tranny with japanese used ones.
btw:the guy at autozone where I bought the syncromesh tried to tell me that I needed the full synthetic stuff at 12 bucks a quart and argued with me when I found pennzoil syncromesh for 4 bucks,this is after Itold him I wanted syncromesh
anyway thanks for the help.

[avfan]

Also, went back and read my chiltons manual and it says to use 80W90 in the manual tranny. It also never tells you to refill tranny with fluid on the service instructions!

[SchlockRod]

Hi, all.
Just bought a '92 XFi 5-speed with balky #1 & #3 synchros. I did a whole lot of research to figure out what gear lube to use in this car. I first looked at the Mainteneance Schedule book that came with the car to see what fluid is recommended, because I believe that the OEM recommendation is there for a reason. The Mainteneance Schedule states "SAE 75W GL-4 Gear Lubricant". So I researched both the SAE viscosities and the API grades. First I learned that you can't get gear lube that is simply "75W". The closest thing to that is 75W90. So I studied 75W90 products and it appeared that synthetics are, generally speaking, likely to give smoother shifting. Also, there is a big difference between GL-4 and GL-5 specs. GL-5 lubes can corrode yellow metals in some synchros, and I figured the Metro may have those since the book says to use GL-4. So I looked for a 75W90 API GL-4 synthetic. I narrowed it down to three products: GM P/N 12346190 Synthetic, Amsoil MTG, and Redline MT90. Bought the Amsoil, because the GM product (a) costs $22/qt. and (b) says NOTHING at all about viscosity or API grade on the bottle. The Redline stuff is 15.6 cSt kinematic viscosity @ 100 deg. C, whereas the Amsoil is 13.8 cSt (SAE viscosities like 75W actually cover a range). It looks as though lower viscosities typically allow synchros to work better (make contact & grab through the oil film). They also give better shifting in cold weather (Amsoil also < Redline @ 40 deg. C). So I bought the Amsoil. It seems very good so far. Gears are still not super-easy to find, but much easier to find, both cold and hot.
I would definitely stay away from this Synchromesh stuff. It is specifically engineered for certain GM and Chrysler trannies. Its viscosity is 9.08 cSt @ 100 deg. C. This is equivalent to SAE 20 motor oil! You may well find that your synchros work well, but your gears and bearings will not last long, I'm afraid.
Now my new question: Exactly what API Grade do GM/Suzuki recommend? Since I did all this exhaustive research, I found that the Owner's Manual states "Type GL-5"! And now I have a Haynes Manual that states "API GL-5 SAE 75W90 or 80W90 gear oil". 75W90 viscosity is clearly OK, but should I have bought a GL-5 lube? GM puts two books in the same glove box with different info! What gives? Anyone have a GM Factory Service Manual? Does that give yet another opinion?
Sorry for the long post; need to be comprehensive about this stuff.
Thanks.