Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

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zigzagsky
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#1 Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by zigzagsky » Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:25 pm

Apologies if this has been asked before but I couldn't find an exact answer to this...

So I am close to getting my Series 2 back on the road after a manual transmission rebuild and was wondering what is the best oil to use.

I know that the standard oil is EP90 GL-4 but is this 75/90 or 80/90? Can it be synthetic?

Halfords sell a EP 80/90 GL-4 oil from Comma - suitable or not?

I have also read that many people swear by the Redline MT90 stuff but this seems to often be used when the gearbox has a problem - like synchro issues and obviously (well, hopefully), mine will not have any issues.

What do you guys suggest?

Brian
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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mark10337
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#2 Re: Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by mark10337 » Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:59 pm

Castrol Hypoy (EP90) is the Jaguar recommended.

I use Millers Oil NanoDrive CRX 75W90 NT+

Alternatives are (amongst others)
Mobil One ATF 320
Royal Purple Synchromax
Redline MTF (MT-90 75W90 GL-4)

Do not use conventional 80w-90w gear oil.

I'd advise changing after running in for 500 miles if it is freshly rebuilt.
-Mark

1969 Series 2 OTS, Regency Red
'Life's to short to drive a boring car'

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politeperson
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#3 Re: Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by politeperson » Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:44 pm

As Mark Said EP 90 is the stuff, 80/90 will be OK.

Redline MT 90 is thinner. I tried it in an all synchro box and it immediately crunched. My synchro hubs hated it. Went back to the thicker stuff 9EP 80/90) and all was instantly transformed back to how it should be.
Last edited by politeperson on Sat Jan 26, 2019 9:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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zigzagsky
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#4 Re: Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by zigzagsky » Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:27 pm

Thanks for the advice chaps. I’ll use the Comma EP80/90 for 500 miles or so as suggested and then drain and refill.

Brian
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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malcolm
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#5 Re: Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by malcolm » Sat Jan 26, 2019 10:06 am

When are you going to be up and running Brian? Remember, if you need a pair of (unskilled) hands, I'm just round the corner.
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S

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#6 Re: Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by zigzagsky » Sat Jan 26, 2019 2:40 pm

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for the offer of help. I may well take you up on it when it's time to refit the bonnet as it's a 3-4 man job.

Hopefully I will get the car running (before fitting the bonnet) by the end of the month. Due to work commitments I can't make the next JDC Area 1 meet but with luck she should be ready for the next one.

Brian
Brian
1969 Primrose yellow Series 2, 2plus2
Boyhood dream fulfilled at last!

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malcolm
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#7 Re: Correct Oil for freshly rebuilt gearbox

Post by malcolm » Sun Jan 27, 2019 9:59 am

Sounds good Brian! I'm away from 13th Feb to 2nd March, but around apart from that.
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S

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