Gearbox oil

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Posthumus
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Gearbox oil

Post by Posthumus »

Good day

Citigolf 1.4i - at what intervals (time / kilometers) does gearbox oil need to be changed?
VAG Fan
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by VAG Fan »

There is no specified interval. It's referred to as a "lifetime filling".
Are you experiencing any gearbox problems?

I would say, "it depends".
Our 1983 Mk1 with 400k km is still running on its original 'box with factory filling, and other than worn synchro rings, it still works very nicely.
Our 1990 Fox, on the other hand, has had two gearbox oil changes, to try and cure gear change problems (fortunately, quite successful).
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
Posthumus
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by Posthumus »

Thanks - no problems being experienced - I just noted from the service records that the gearbox oil has never been replaced - odo reading currently at 119 000 after 14 years
Spelwan88
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by Spelwan88 »

Sorry to Hijack this thread just a little bit but what is the recommended gear oil to use?
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90 VW Caddy 1.8 Sport
VAG Fan
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by VAG Fan »

I've seen some hefty debates on this, but from my own research, the standard transaxle manual gearboxes in many (if not most) of our VWs and Audis require
... multigrade viscosity, usually 75W-90
... EP (extreme pressure) additives to API-GL4 specification (apparently GL-5 has too much lubricity for some of these boxes and can result in too much slippage on the synchro rings).

I've used Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90 in my 1990 Fox, to good effect. Others have used oils from the Castrol "BOT-M" [Edit: or "BOT-xyz"] series. Frankly, I think the above parameters are the most important.

But by all means, do your own research. Castrol used to have an online "oil finder".

[Edit 2: Castrol has a bit of a dubious reputation with engine oils (efficacy of detergent additives, sludging problems, etc.), at least in some quarters, but their gearbox oils undoubtedly have a top reputation.]
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
Spelwan88
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Car Make: VW
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Membership No: 3224
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Gearbox oil

Post by Spelwan88 »

Thanks man

I've been deterred from Castrol motor oils many years ago and I've been swayed to Shell without any regrets.

I think I'll try Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90

I recently built an FFZ up from an old FFZ and I'm currently using IndyOil 75w-90 just as a "run-in" oil but I want to drain it soon and replace it
Daily:
04 Audi A4 2.0 (B6)
90 VW Caddy 1.8 Sport
VAG Fan
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by VAG Fan »

If you can confirm in any way that VW 505.50 applies to the FFZ box, then it's definitely your oil.

I couldn't find any specific norms for VW boxes, but I chose it anyway, firstly because it replaced Castrol TAF-X, which is recommended in German VW-Audi Forums for transaxles, and secondly because it specifically addresses the GL4 issue, whereas many other 75W-90 transaxle oils are specced at GL5.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
VAG Fan
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by VAG Fan »

PS:
Correction, and apologies, I used the Syntrans Transaxle in my Audi (ATR gearbox). I can't remember off-hand which oil I used in my Fox (AEN gearbox). But if you search for FFZ oils, you'll find the same specs. 75W-90, GL4. So I think you should be safe.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
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panic-mechanic
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by panic-mechanic »

Castrol bot-m has been discontinued.
BOT 402 has replaced it. It is the ONLY castrol oil I use and it is good at making that cold scratch into 2nd gear go away.
Lot of people use engine oil in gearboxes in the racing community. I prefer not to,
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
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'09 Touareg 3l TDI
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Spelwan88
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by Spelwan88 »

Any recommendations on how to get rid of a whine in 3rd and 4th gear?
Daily:
04 Audi A4 2.0 (B6)
90 VW Caddy 1.8 Sport
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by caddy club »

I think the bot402 is also a synthetic oil, I use this one in my box as well
Caddy Club AGG 2L Carb 1998 model
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panic-mechanic
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Re: Gearbox oil

Post by panic-mechanic »

Spelwan88 wrote:Any recommendations on how to get rid of a whine in 3rd and 4th gear?
Yeah - get another box or get it rebuilt with another diff. definitely not by changing oil.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
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