Gear Oil Confusion

[tbv]

This is probably a banal question, but I am still learning the ropes with Esprit ownership. I plan to replace the gear oil in my 1987 Esprit S3HC, which I believe has a Citroen gearbox. The manual requires API GL5, SAE80. I have also read somewhere that it should be non-hypoid. I found a Castrol oil called EPX 75W-80, and already bought three liters. Castrols website notes that this is acceptable oil for the API GL5, SAE 80 requirement. It is mineral-based.

I think this might be a hypoid oil, so am a little confused if I should proceed. I have researched a bit online, and apparently it's impossible to find a non-hypoid oil with those requirements. What do you guys use in your Citroen gearboxes? Do you think the Castrol EPX 75W-80 okay?

Also, words of wisdom regarding the gear oil replacement process would be appreciated. Thanks!

Kind Regards,

Todd Verwers

[trackmagic]

I am using Redline MTL-90 in my 83. Very happy with it.

Best

Jeff

[Simon350S]

Point to note, if you try putting 3 litres in you'll loose the best part of a litre out of the fill level plug...

Don't remove it is the simple answer...

Step 1. Drain oil in its entirity (after a little run so the oil is holding all its crud in suspension)

Step 2. Fill from the top of the box remembering to NOT remove the fill level plug!

This advice has in part come from a citroen box specialist... The extra oil over the fill level helps to lubricate 5th gear appartently!!!

[USAndretti42]

On that note, check to see whether you have one or two drain plugs. Early cars had a separate drain for the 5th gear housing.

[Simon350S]

Good point to note Trevor!

[GavinT]

Red Line MT-90

[espriturbo]

Might be a bit of a late response.....

I'm putting in TAF-X by Castrol in my gearbox - however; that has nothing to do with living in Wales, its what is advised by OPIE oils, they give good discount if you join this Forum!!!!

[oilman]

TAF-X and MT90 are very good oils

[ramjet]

Redline has been recommended to me as well so when I change mine, that's what's going in.

[tbv]

Thanks for the good advice everyone. I put Redline MTL 90 in about a week ago. Castrol TAF-X seems to be the other option.

Best regards,

Todd

[oilman]

How you getting on with the Redline?

Cheers

[dsvitesse1]

Hi,

I prefer and advice people to use MT 90. I have tried the MTL 90 also, but MT 90 shifts better.

cheers,

Harry Martens

[espriturbo]

Is anyone running TAF-X or any experience of it - it says all the right things on the outside of the bottle!!!

[Bibs]

It's the only lubricant Lotus recommend.

[espriturbo]

Oh thats reassuring........coz I just bought 3 litres of it for my gearbox.

[s2mikey]

My '87 Esprit has Redline MT-90 and the shifting is excellent. No synchro noise whatsoever. Lots of people use this and the results are universally positive!

[oilman]

MT90 is a great oil, solves shifting issues in many cars and is a very good choice in gearboxes that are working fine.

[Iconic Ride]

TAF-X can be difficult to source in the U.S. I've found that oatmeal works really well, but you have to change it much more frequently, and getting it to "drain" completely can be a real pain.

Just kidding. I have squirreled away 7 precious containers of the stuff (which I guard like the King's gold) for future use at the appropriate change interval.

[oilman]

As Redline are a US brand, it should be easy enough to get hold of the MT-90 and it is a better quality oil

[Iconic Ride]

Good to know that Redline is a colonial product, Simon. At the risk of starting the proverbial pissing contest, Bibs is correct in stating that Lotus only recommend TAF-X. My understanding is that this came about after much testing of several choices. Don't know if Redline was one of them. I don't doubt for a moment that it is a good brand of lubricant---many here swear by it on numerous similar threads. It may very well be the case that TAF-X was shown to have the edge only under extreme duress conditions--I don't know the details of the testing program. As I don't plan (now is a good time to look away, Bibs) on tracking my Esprit, it is probable that Redline (or for that matter any high quality gear oil) is up to the task for my day to day usage. Nonetheless, I'll likely stick to the Castrol brand, pricey though it may be, simply for peace of mind.

[fmxa]

I know this topic has been beat to death over the years, but FWIW I've been using MT90 in my Esprits for 7 years. I did swap the V8 to TAF-X (costs a fortune in the US if you can even find it) but really didn't like the way it shifted and went back to MT-90 a week later.

[richardvg]

The issue of gearbox oils is a difficult one as some of the guys say this and others say that .

i have noted that different vehicles may even use respective products.

furthermore the issue of how many litres- I tried 3 litres and i had a really messy gearbox ( lots of oil all over ) so i reverted to ple plug levels.

Richard