RE: [alfa] Re:tranny & diff lubricants

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One word of caution regarding redline and synthetic oils in general.

In a spider transmission you want to use MT-90. This is the same oil as the
75w90 but without the friction modifiers needed for a limited slip diff.
These friction modifiers make the oil more 'slippery' so to speak. This
makes the oil too slick and as a result does not allow the synchronizers to
work properly.

I've used MTL and MT-90 in alfa transmissions (and many others) with very
good results. However the MTL seems a little too light for an Alfa so the
MT-90 is a better choice.

If the synchros are in good shape to begin with there should be no problems.
If they are on the fringe it might help. If they are gone, most likely
nothing short of an overhaul will help a tired gearbox.

No problem with the 75w90 in the diff if you want to use it there.

HTH,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On Behalf Of jeff
clark
Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 12:20 PM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] Re:tranny & diff lubricants

>  Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 21:00:17 -0400
>From: "Gwynne W. Spencer" <gwynnes1@domain.elided>
>Subject: [alfa] tranny & diff lubricants
>
>  Anticipating a routine lubricant change in tye transmission
>  and differential on a 1993 Spider Veloce - have ther been
>  experiences with some of the "modern" synthetic oils that
>  would suggest replacing the Alfa recommended ones?
>
>  For instance, in the tranny Red Line MTL maybe??  or
>  something else??
>
>  In the diff (limited slip, I believe) any suggestions.
>
>  Just as a reminder, Alfa recommended the following for both
>  Tranny and Diff:
>
>  SAE 80W/90 API GLS            Shell SPIRAX HD 80W/90
>
>  One last question. I believe that the older 105 cars used a
>  17 mm hex key for the drain and fill plugs - is this still
>  the right tool?
>
>  Gwynne Spencer

Oh boy - an oil question!
I have liked ( for 20ish years ) Redline 75W90 for both tranny and diff.
Great cold performance  ( it shifts! ), and it must work when it's
warm/hot, 'cause it has never seized (  or gone dry ).
It's a local brand to my area.

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_gearlubricants.asp?pvID=81&prodID=60&subc
atID=20

Other people love the Shell, though I have no experience with that.
Well, I guess that about wraps up this oil topic....
:)

jeff
support your local brewery, uhh...*refinery*, yaa, that's it...

--

jeff clark
82 Spider Veloce
99 BMW R1100S
jeff.e.clark@domain.elided
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