Transmission Gearbox Filling advice and Oil Type

[Spike]

You're stepping in to a minefield with TR7 5speed gearbox oils.

Originally the 5 speed boxes had "normal" gearbox oil, but there were issues with baulking and some other bits so they changed to ATF fluid. Roll on 30 odd years and things have moved on. The recommendation is usually Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle, a GM oil in the states and Mobil one. If you search the forum for gearbox oil change you'll find a wealth of information. I asked a few questions before I changed my oil here http://tr7triumph.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22335

Halfords in the UK used to stock the Castrol, but they've seemed to have stopped recently. Try your local motor factors, or you can get it on-line quite easily.

If I'm not mistaken (I'm usually), Mobile 1 is engine oil, and would not be suitable for use in a gearbox.

regards

Graham

[FI Spyder]

The GM is supposed to be the same as the Pennzoil Synchromesh (not the synthetic stuff), just different packaging. There were pictures of each on the old site. I don't know if you can get that stuff easily in the UK. Basically you want a hypoid type oil (gearbox oil) that has the slipperyness that matches the requirements of the synchros in a particular type of gearbox. That's why some oils work in some types of gear boxes and not on others. There is no oil that is best for all. For a given oil, a worn trans will not work as good as a good/new one. You shouldn't use an engine oil in the transmission (different requirements = different formulation).

I had the original type when I bought my car. Worked great in California and the trip north (in the 90's F). Next (third) morning in Blaine, WA it was cloudy, cool (60's F) and spitting rain every now and then. Baulky shift into 2nd. The very reason Rover suggested using ATF which does work apparently. I switched to Pennzoil Synchromesh Synthetic when I found out about it. Regular good, Synthetic better, right. Wrong. While better than the original stuff there was still some baulkyness when cold and I had to double clutch into 2nd. Changed to regular Pennzoil Syncromesh and problem went away. Other oils may well work (synthetics etc) better in new trans than old ones. I wouldn't bother using a synthetic even if it works when a non synthetic will work. While it has to withstand some shear it is not subject to the same forces and temp as an engine oil would face. It should be changed periodically if for nothing else than to flush any metallic bits out. I have a magnetic drain plug that helps with that as well.

[Hasbeen]

Hi Peter. My case history may help.

My present car had some sort of gear oil in it when bought. You could select second with the engine stopped, but nothing would get it in with the engine running, before a few kilometres to warm the oil.

I was advised to use ATF. It fixed the gear change problem, & happily lubricated the box for about 65,000 kilometres.

Last change I succumbed to the general opinion here & used Penrite Pro Gear 70W-75, one of the modern synthetic synchro gearbox oils. The gear change is the same, & the gearbox may be just a little quieter, otherwise nothing has changed.

ATF or a modern oil will be great. Just don't use one of the old thick custard like gear oils we used to use in old Jaguar Moss boxes.

[seven]

Hi Guys, Many thanks for the input regarding the oil. I was a bit skeptical with the engine oil Graham, you have cleared that up for us I will go for the ATF. What is in the box at the moment is not a normal gear oil like 90 grade as the smell of the oil is different and have noticed on the end of my little plastic dipstick the oil is quite runnyish.

I had the oil changed in my X-Type Jag last Christmas and when it came back I couldn't select second gear when cold, I had to stop the car to put it back into first gear There was plenty of double-de-clutching for over a month, before I took it to Jaguar for them to check out my problem. Turned out to be the wrong gear oil was put back into the gearbox! It is amazing what different gear oil can do to the gearbox, hence my original query.
I did do a search prior but still needed expert advice
Cheers Peter

[john 215]

Hi,

As I am sure you read in your search, I use MTF 94 in my five speeder ..... get it very cheap from work


Cheers John

[smoking joe]

Just thought I would add in my experience, when i got the car home for the first time it was a few weeks before I changed the gearbox oil.
As usual it was baulking when cold going into 2nd, looked on the forum and tried Castrol SMX I think it was, only noticed a slight improvement, so rather disappointed.

Left it for a while, then found that 'Ashcroft Transmissions' think that was their name recommended ATF Dextron 2 or 3, so gave it a try, well what a diffrence, so easy change when cold, like another car to drive, little noisy when idling ! I also read on this forum that this option is not the preferred choice, I then discovered the recommendations of Mr Tomlinson, former BL engineer I guess, about Motul gear 300, so gave it a go. Great when cold and quieter when idling, bingo, works well on my gearbox, so will keep with it.

I do have a slight whine in lower gears ( always have) which is concerning as only 40k genuine miles on the car.

Well that's my gearbox.


SJ