GL-4 Substitute?

antiqueshell · Dec 1, 2014

Originally Posted By: MolaKule

I don't know where you read that but hopefully not here.

Use motor oil only as a last resort.

The three very important characteristics of MTL are:

1. Proper viscosity for operating temps and HP
2. GL-4 additive package for anti-wear protection
3. proper friction modification chemistry for shifter and synchro assembly

Don't even THINK of using motor oil, I am certain that at a European car performance shop (I know they have those in Taiwan) you should be at least able to order a GL-4 spec fluid but I would bet that they have it on hand. Check out a VW Audi dealer as well, all of their manual transaxle models use a GL-4 spec fluid so they will likely have it on hand or will readily order it for you.

Ducked · Dec 2, 2014

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Originally Posted By: MolaKule

I don't know where you read that but hopefully not here.

Use motor oil only as a last resort.

The three very important characteristics of MTL are:

1. Proper viscosity for operating temps and HP
2. GL-4 additive package for anti-wear protection
3. proper friction modification chemistry for shifter and synchro assembly

Don't even THINK of using motor oil, I am certain that at a European car performance shop (I know they have those in Taiwan) you should be at least able to order a GL-4 spec fluid but I would bet that they have it on hand. Check out a VW Audi dealer as well, all of their manual transaxle models use a GL-4 spec fluid so they will likely have it on hand or will readily order it for you.

Too late, I've already thought of it. I don't intend to do it, since there's no urgency and I've got time to look around for alternatives. However:-

(a) I THINK y'all might be underestimating the difficulty of finding things in Taiwan. Its partly my fault, of course, since I don't speak Mandarin or Taiwanese, but its also because there is almost no amateur automotive maintenance, and because the professionals, generally, aren't, very.

(b) I (re?)-read that article above, and while I could easily be missing something, I don't detect much obvious [censored].

CAUTION : The article contains an implied criticism of Redline technical advice [somehow not censored} which might be upsetting to those of a sensitive disposition

Shannow · Dec 2, 2014

http://www.castrol.com/en_au/australia/p...lus-20w-40.html

Ducked · Dec 9, 2014

Moderator of the Charade-G10 forum (the only Charade forum available to me since the Australian one banned me and then went dark) is recommending this stuff.

http://www.lubricants.com/images/lubricants/automotiveGearOil/FullSyntheticGearOil75W-90.jpg

Doesn't seem right. Site

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/synpower/gear-oil/59

says:

"Recommended for (conventional and limited slip) manual transmissions where an API GL-5 or MT-1 fluid is specified"

I've queried the recommendation, but no response so far. Don't want to push it though since that's how I got banned last time.

No one likes a smartarse, especially Australians

userfriendly · Dec 10, 2014

I think the sensitive Auzzie just gave you a $3.00 a liter solution to a $12.00 a liter question.

Shannow · Dec 10, 2014

Agri424 (Mobil) has always been one of my staples...was thinking the Castrol version could be my post apocolyptic bug out do everything lube.

Olas · Dec 10, 2014

Ducked,

You say that it can be very difficult to find stuff, and not speaking Cantonese or Mandarin makes it even more difficult.. Why don't you use eBay? You can get it delivered to your door without any language barrier. Seems like the obvious solution to me.

widman · Dec 10, 2014

Obvious solutions do not always work in all countries. Each has its regulations.

With that small engine and load, I would not hesitate to use a SAE 50 Diesel, or 20W-50, as recommended by Isuzu for the Trooper, Rodeo, and LUV (Interesting that the Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo are identical, but Honda recommends MTF and Isuzu 15w40 or 20W-50 motor oil).

I would not play chemist by adding GL-5, and would never recommend GL-5 in a synchronized transmission.

MolaKule · Dec 10, 2014

Originally Posted By: Ducked
Moderator of the Charade-G10 forum (the only Charade forum available to me since the Australian one banned me and then went dark) is recommending this stuff.

http://www.lubricants.com/images/lubricants/automotiveGearOil/FullSyntheticGearOil75W-90.jpg

Doesn't seem right. Site

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/synpower/gear-oil/59

says:

"Recommended for (conventional and limited slip) manual transmissions where an API GL-5 or MT-1 fluid is specified"

I've queried the recommendation, but no response so far. Don't want to push it though since that's how I got banned last time.

No one likes a smartarse, especially Australians

Please note the MT-1 spec is mostly for for heavy duty OTR, non-synchronized transmissions.

Ducked · Dec 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: used_0il
I think the sensitive Auzzie just gave you a $3.00 a liter solution to a $12.00 a liter question.

Sorry, didn't mean to diss that suggestion, which I do appreciate.

It is perhaps technically a compromise, and I dunno if I can get it here, but its almost certainly better than self-blending.

Ducked · Dec 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: Olas
Ducked,

You say that it can be very difficult to find stuff, and not speaking Cantonese or Mandarin makes it even more difficult.. Why don't you use eBay? You can get it delivered to your door without any language barrier. Seems like the obvious solution to me.

When I've looked at sourcing via ebay the shipping worked out pretty pricy, and most suppliers won't ship to Taiwan anyway.

That's not to say its not ever a solution, but it often isn't

Ducked · Dec 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Agri424 (Mobil) has always been one of my staples...was thinking the Castrol version could be my post apocolyptic bug out do everything lube.

Ah...Mad Max style, huh? Must be a cultural thing.

Shannow · Dec 11, 2014

Originally Posted By: Ducked
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Agri424 (Mobil) has always been one of my staples...was thinking the Castrol version could be my post apocolyptic bug out do everything lube.

Ah...Mad Max style, huh? Must be a cultural thing.

Yeah...cultural...Have you tried the following

"google"
"gl4"
"Taiwan"

throw in "Castrol", or "mobil"

You can get either of the Agri products, Mobil or Castrol, in less of a drive than I need to go to a pawn shop.

Bash it !

supercity · Dec 11, 2014

Castrol Syntrans

Agri Trans 80w

Ducked · Dec 12, 2014

Originally Posted By: widman
I would not hesitate to use a SAE 50 Diesel, or 20W-50, as recommended by Isuzu for the Trooper, Rodeo, and LUV (Interesting that the Honda Passport and Isuzu Rodeo are identical, but Honda recommends MTF and Isuzu 15w40 or 20W-50 motor oil).

I would not play chemist by adding GL-5, and would never recommend GL-5 in a synchronized transmission.

Fair enough.I'd probably use a monograde, since low temps not usually an issue here. I've got straight 40W CPC SJ/CD stuff I'm using in a motorcycle transmission, and Delvac 15w40 MX for the cars engine, (a bit thick, but I like the quality/price ratio). Either would probably do at a pinch in the transmission.

antiqueshell · Dec 12, 2014

Again, cannot believe there is not one European Performance shop in all of Taiwan. Have you tried a VW / Audi dealership?

Ducked · Dec 29, 2015

Autobacs in Yokomaha had this, which looks like the right stuff:-

but I could only find room for a 1L tin in my checked luggage, and security would've baulked at it as carry-on.

Googling for "Energear MP" seems to only get returns in Japanese, so it may be a Japan-only product or (more likely) packaging. I'd guess the MP stands for "Medium Pressure".

http://www.craigeng.co.nz/energear.htm

has info on "BP Energear Easy Shift" which MAY be the same stuff, and includes the statement "Particularly suited for manual transmissions in Japanese front wheel drive vehicles."

There are a few Autobacs outlets in the Taipei area, but predictably they are (even) more "furry dice oriented" than the Japanese ones, and don't stock this stuff.

If I can't get any more I'll do a 50% "refresh" of the gearbox (it takes 2.2 litres). That should be an improvement, whatevers in there at the moment.

GL-4 Substitute?

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