Can use this instead of EP90

Status
Not open for further replies.
FCD

FCD

Joined
Oct 22, 2015
Messages
4,269
Location
Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
For some reason nobody seems to sell EP90 Hypoid gear oil around my area, not even online from oustide the Island in mainland Spain
a new Shell station just opened up nearby me and they have this :

Shell Spirax by Capri Driver, en Flickr
It's Shell Spirax S2-A 80W-90 GL-5

Ford say EP 90 should be used for the diff, can i use this?
On this data sheet : http://www.dayanoilco.com/upload/product/1451469689.pdf , it states " Suitable for hypoid gear axles "

For the gearbox i've settled for Castrol 80 grade GL-4 Manual transmission oil
 
Not sure how it will resist shearing, but since your car is seeing low miles per year...
Maybe on the thin side?

Can you get Millers EP 90 GL5 oil ?


+1 on your gearbox oil choice. I like Castrol oils for gearboxes/transaxle!



Edit: have you checked trucks dealers or trucks parts store?
 
Last edited:
Shell oil finder lists exactly this product for Capri differential. For some reason it only goes back as far as 1978 ... IForum you know for sure nothing changed since 1975, you are safe. Send Shell an Email with your car data to confirm.
 
Yes the diff is the same as the one from 1978 cars, yes i could get the Millers EP90, But not in Spain so it would cost me 25 Euros a litre which is crazy when i can get this stuff for 5 Euro a litre...
Also since it says it is compatible with hypoid gears, does that neccesarily mean it has EP additives mixed in it?
 
Sounds you are safe to use it then ... take a look here: http://lubematch.shell.de


Edit: The 5 litres will for sure last you for a few short oci's to clean the differential up ... if flushing is needed at all.
 
Last edited:
EP90 is a scarce bird around here as well unless you want to buy it by the 5-gallon pail.

I've had zero issues using 80W-90 or the like for places on my MG(specifically the differential and steering rack) that call for EP90. I usually buy Valvoline 80W-90, but have no particular brand loyalty.

As a side note, as much as I love buying in bulk, 1 gallon of gear oil is a lot of oil unless you're running a shop or are going to change your differential a couple times a year. I'd suggest buying 1qt bottles, as they have a convenient nozzle on them that makes getting oil in the fill holes a lot easier. If you're buying the bulk bottle, do yourself a favor and buy at least one single quart just to get the bottle. Gear oil is nasty enough to handle that I try to minimize the amount of time it spends in the open and go nuts over covering the area under where I'm working.
 
Well, gotta ask why you are changing the diff fluid?

Most cars and trucks around here go about 100,000 on the oil before they get drained and refilled (when resetting the ring/pinion contact pattern). Usually with tractor oil. I'd go by a farm/tractor supply and see what they have
smile.gif


Posi's are a whole different game ...
 
Last edited:
I have the same problem in my 1993 E350. I don't have an owners manual and can't find one online. The Haynes manual says it takes SAE 90. Not available anywhere that I know of. Autozone says it takes 80w-90. So I used 80w-90, Seems to be working but it was only about a month ago I swapped it out.

I had another application that called for SAE 80w-90 ep gear oil and I emailed Mobil and asked if I could use their 75w-90 synthetic in this application (tractor trans/hydraulic fluid.) They said no.
 
Originally Posted By: Lubener
I wouldn't use it unless it states use for "hypoid" gears. I don't think it is.

On the techical data sheet it does state : " Suitable for hypoid gear axles " http://www.dayanoilco.com/upload/product/1451469689.pdf

I wanna change it just for peace of mind, i didn't know much about oils when the fluids were last changed in June 2012 so i just let my mechanic do it, you also need a pump to fill the gearbox again which i don't have, knowing i have the right fluids in there helps me sleep better at night :), all i know right now ( i asked him ) that it has ome sort of 80w90 full synthetic oil in it i don't know if it's GL4 or 5 or brand or anything else.
 
Originally Posted By: Lubener
I wouldn't use it unless it states use for "hypoid" gears. I don't think it is.


Most differentials are hypoid gear sets. GL-5 is what you need.

The Shell Spirax in question will be fine. A synthetic 75W-90 would also be fine in your rear end.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Lubener
I wouldn't use it unless it states use for "hypoid" gears. I don't think it is.


See page 1 of the pdf file.

Shell Spirax 80W90

It is rated for API GL-5 so it is suitable for Hypoid diffy's.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: bunnspecial
As a side note, as much as I love buying in bulk, 1 gallon of gear oil is a lot of oil unless you're running a shop or are going to change your differential a couple times a year. I'd suggest buying 1qt bottles, as they have a convenient nozzle on them that makes getting oil in the fill holes a lot easier. If you're buying the bulk bottle, do yourself a favor and buy at least one single quart just to get the bottle. Gear oil is nasty enough to handle that I try to minimize the amount of time it spends in the open and go nuts over covering the area under where I'm working.


Good point, but Shell bottles don't have that practical nozzle unfortunately.
I remember dealing with stinking gear oils in the past, but all the synthetics I've used recently didn't smell much, Motul gear 300 even has a sweet smell^^
 
Trust me, Spirax S2 A smells terrible.

I've used a ton, quite literally, and this is how I got my last shipment:



Best way to get it in the diff is with long clear tubing and a funnel on the end.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
oil for 1990 Toyota corolla all-trac wagon (ae95) transmission/transfer case
Replies
9
Views
1K
MolaKule
I
"gear oil" Vs "hypoid/EP gear oil"
Replies
9
Views
24K
JimmyChainsaw
S
Volvo iShift Transmission Oil - The Saga
Replies
4
Views
5K
4wd
FCD
  • Locked
Classic Car trans / diff oil advice.
Replies
9
Views
4K
FCD
O
  • Locked
Transfer case oil 80W90 GL-5 question
Replies
7
Views
6K
zeng
Back
Top Bottom