General Question About Life Cycle of Gear Lube

[JohnBrowning]

i am posting here becuase I would like more then two responces. Ok I have 1 gallon of 80W90 that is stillin it's plastic container. The foil seal has been broken but the cap has been on it. The three quart containers 75W90 I have are all missing about 1/8 of a quart but havehad their cap's on tight. How long does gear lube stay good. Seeing how it is not a base I was told that it should be good almost indefinately bareing contamination. I was going to throw the stuff away but my Dad insist's on useing uit so I want to make sure it is still good. I mean I do want to own his truck some day!!!

 

[Drivebelt]

I used some 75W-90 synthetic blend gear oil from the early 1990's in my Jetta transmission last year (a 50/50 blend with 5w30 motor oil). That 5w30 really helped -- works much better in the winter up here in Edmonton. Even a 75W-90 is way to thick (up around 14.0 - 15.0 cSt) for a transmission IMO -- and it is better suited for a rear differential.

I'll be trying some Pennzoil synchromesh 9.08 cSt next summer if I can find it.

My only problem with oils from the 90's is that they are Group I based. All modern gear oils likely use Group II's -- which are much better. I will be going with a shorter interval and getting some newer transmission oil probably next summer. Oil should still be good if you want to use it.

 

[azsynthetic]

I would use it without hesitation for the appropriate application.

 

[02zx9r]

Just responding so will have more than two responses. I say use it!

 

[Camu Mahubah]

There are outfits from the Seventies running around with the factory fill in the transmission, differential, and transfer case.

 

[mechtech2]

It should be just fine.
One thing though - there may be better fluids available now.
In that case, it would be wise to upgrade.

 

[salesrep]

I would not. Gear oil additives may settle out of solution and like the others said, better fluids available today.

 

[jbl]

Agree there is much better fluids today and therefore i should leave the old fluids outside the car.