$38 of wishful thinking, 4th gear synchros. are toast

[Brett Dikeman]

On May 13, 2005, at 1:00 PM, Louis-Alain_Richard at computerhorizons.com  
wrote:

> What was the specified gearbox oil on these Type44?
> If I remember well, if the PO filled it with GL-5 (instead of  
> GL-4), it is
> a sure way to destroy the syncros.
>

GL-5 grade oil often contains an additive that is incompatible with  
bronze syncros used on many(most?) VW/Audi transmissions.  The  
distinction is that GL-5 spec itself doesn't imply the oil has to  
chew brass syncros :-), but yes, a GL-5 oil should be used only after  
checking with the manufacturer to make sure it's compatible.

Amsoil's GL-5 tranny fluid, for example, is GL-5, but I have an email  
or two from their product support group assuring me beyond a doubt  
the oil is fine for an Audi or VW transmission because their additive  
does not eat bronze.

Note that some oils may reduce syncro effectiveness- for example, the  
Amsoil oil causes a little slower syncro action, but yields a small  
improvement in transmission efficiency.

I don't recommend Redline oil for any application.  When I was  
scouring the net for info about tranny oils, I came across quite a  
few "I put in redline, then my tranny blew up" stories.  Maybe that's  
because it's popular and people have transmission problems they think  
will be solved by switching to it, who knows.  Honestly, just put the  
VW/Audi stuff in.  It is more than acceptable for the job- it's just  
not a 'lifetime' fluid like Audi claims (no transmission fluid is).

Brett
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