TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:50 pm

what kind of transaxle oil should i use

Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:53 pm

This has been beaten to death so do a search and you'll find more that you care to read.

I use Swepco 201 80W-90. You'll read all about GL4 vs GL5... I use GL5 and have for years. Valvoline is also a good brand and available at all auto parts stores.

<<moderator's note>> this is on a short leash, so stay on topic.

Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:18 pm

For a stock to mild performance car use any national brand of 85W90.

Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:58 pm

as recommended by my tranny builder, I run Heavy Duty 80/90 plus half qt. Lucas trans additive.

Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:19 pm

If newly rebuilt, I'd go with Redline MT-90. If not, because seals may not be perfect enough for synthetic, CRC Sta-Lube 80W-90 GL-4 from NAPA.

A valid second "universal" choice is any name-brand 80W-90. For Example, Castrol Hypoy is only about $5 a quart at PepBoys. Synchromesh fluids, such as those from Pennzoil and Royal Purple are too thin to protect the ring and pinion. They are meant for modern FWD transaxles.

Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:29 pm

Glenn wrote: This has been beaten to death so do a search and you'll find more that you care to read.

I use Swepco 201 80W-90. You'll read all about GL4 vs GL5... I use GL5 and have for years. Valvoline is also a good brand and available at all auto parts stores.

<<moderator's note>> this is on a short leash, so stay on topic.

God I love this Glenn :D

Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:04 am

nikita wrote: . Synchromesh fluids, such as those from Pennzoil and Royal Purple are too thin to protect the ring and pinion. They are meant for modern FWD transaxles.
It doesn't matter which end of the car a transaxle is, the oil is no different.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:24 am

It matters if the engine is transverse mounted instead of longitudinal and the final drive gears are helical instead of spiral bevel.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:44 pm

6 to 7 pints of transmission fluid is the correct ammount of transmission fluid....right?

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:59 pm

Bentley says 5.3 US pints... (less than 3 quarts)

With the car level, fill it slowly until it's full. The fill is on the side so it will only take so much fluid, not much danger of overfilling.

Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:08 am

Ok...I've been reading, and it's time to figure out how to change the trans fluid in my '70 Beetle. If I have it figured out right (more or less) I need to do the following, right?

0. Jack and block the car (keep it level?) and remove the wheel on the side with the filler hole (right? left?)
1. Remove the filler hole bolt (17mm allen wrench)
2. Put a pan under the gearbox and drain bolt
3. Remove the drain bolt (17mm allen wrench again)
4. Chill out for a while until it drains
5. Look at the old oil to see if there is any metal shavings or hunks in it (hopefully not!)
6. Replace the drain bolt
7. Refill the box with 5.3 US pints of Swepco 201 80W-90 GL5 (or one of the others mentioned above)

***How do I actually get it INTO the fill hole?!?***It seems kind of like a weird reach...Suggestions?

8. Stop filling when the fluid starts to spill out of the hole
9. Let it sit for another minute or two
10. Replace the filler hole bolt

I am at a loss as what to do next. Do i start it up, and run it through the gears? Can I drive it right away?

Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:29 am

70bugken wrote:
***How do I actually get it INTO the fill hole?!?***It seems kind of like a weird reach...Suggestions?

Go to your local FLAPS and get a quart fluid pump for about 4 bucks.

Wed Dec 05, 2007 1:06 pm

[I bought one of those cheapy pumps from my FLAPS. One thing I'll probably do next time is use a spare hose clamp and clamp the hose onto the pump. Transaxle oil is super thick, and a few times the hose shot off the pump, and laid a couple nice puddles of oil on me/garage floor. It's a messy job to clean up.

Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:28 pm

Yes, do that with the hose clamp, and I've attached a curved piece of copper tubing at the end that fits inside the fill hole so it won't slip out. I don't like when things slip out and make everything messy !

Thu Dec 06, 2007 3:44 pm

Sergical tubing and duct tape is the cheep and nasty way to do it.
And I use 85-140 Royal Purple Synthetic (the good stuff)
go slow (no spills) and just fill it untill its level with the bottom of the filler hole. Then Drive!

Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:55 pm

Not only is it messy, but that stuff stinks.

John