Land Rover Defender gearbox oil..

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bismillah

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Hi guys, I would like to ask something very important to me . I mean, I own a Land Rover Defender 90 Td5 MY 2006 and I like to do maintenance on my own. I would like to know more about gearbox oil. In the maintenance manual for my gearbox oil ( R380 ) is only recommended Texaco MTF 94 , SAE 75W80 , API GL-4 but since I would like to put a synthetic oil, since it is not easy to found...
I would like to understand :

1 ) Is this oil so miraculous to be explicitly recommended?
2 ) reasoning, I do not think that Texaco MTF 94 is used around the world in Land Rover Defender Td5's gearbox

Doing some research, Castrol website says that for my car I can use Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 API GL-4. This oil is synthetic and I could also find it easily.

I would like to ask you, as I want to learn, what can I put in my gearbox on oil change? a generic API -4 75W90 oil like Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle can be used aswell? If you know any database can you try what I can use: Land Rover Defender 90 Td5 MY2006

Thanks a lot to who will answes.
 
might not be what you hoping for, but dint they use mobil 1 tranmssion, front, and rear diff for Land Rover, that they use to go around the world on that tv show , i forgot the name.
 
This forum has many more members in the US and Canada

I don't think they ever sold the Defender in the USA wether that be due to emissions or technical reasons I am unsure

It might be an idea to try one of the many Land Rover specific forums on the net

Obviously there are several in the UK due to its popularity but also try some Australian forums as they have a following there.

From what I know of that gearbox it was initially meant to have ATF in it

The move to Texaco MTF was to make the box last longer and also could help with lazy synchros
 
You can buy MTF94 in 5 litre size from LandRover themselves, not sure of the part number though

I wouldn't advise using anything other than what the recommend for that particular gearbox though
 
By gearbox here I assume you are referring to your manual transmission, since gearbox over hear can mean any mechanical design containing gears.

The Texaco MTF 94 is a 10.4 cSt@100C Manual Transmission Lubricant similar in viscosity to Amsoil's MTL, Redline's MTL 75W80, and Fuchs TITAN SINTOFLUID SAE 75W-80 synthetic manual transmission fluid.

The Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 is a thicker oil of 15.0 cSt@100C.

The thicker Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 might give you tougher shifting in colder temperatures.
 
What you say it's true, I imagined that it would not be easy as this car it is not common in USA but here there are people definitely more experienced on the topic.

However, what you say on the gearbox is true, infact my gearbox was born with MTF94 but in the first oil change they put in the red ATF. When I got back my car I immediately felt the strange change in the gearbox and I immediately suspected to have oil for automatic transmissions in it. It was very good but to be sure I changed after a short time with MTF 94...

I have faith, I do not think my gearbox anything nothing special, so I'm hoping for an opinion from someone who knows more.
 
Quote:
However, what you say on the gearbox is true, infact my gearbox was born with MTF94 but in the first oil change they put in the red ATF. When I got back my car I immediately felt the strange change in the gearbox and I immediately suspected to have oil for automatic transmissions in it. It was very good but to be sure I changed after a short time with MTF 94...


They may have put ATF in there for better cold weather shifting but ATF DOES NOT provide the Anti-wear protection that dedicated GL-4 MTLs do.


Here is out current list (updated) of 10.4 cSt oils:

G. The next group of MTL’s are in the 10.x cSt range are:

1. Redline MTL 75W80

2. Amsoil MTL (9.7 cSt)

3. GM Synchromesh’s

4. Volvo MTF 645

5. Ford Motor Craft XT-M5-QS

6. Fuchs TITAN SINTOFLUID SAE 75W-80 synthetic MTF
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: bigjl
You can buy MTF94 in 5 litre size from LandRover themselves, not sure of the part number though

I wouldn't advise using anything other than what the recommend for that particular gearbox though


Oh I know, it is STC9157 but is not so easy to find also in Land Rover. They always say that they haven't any 5 liter can to sell. Stop.

I asked because I want to know if it is really necessary or it is an oil like others
 
Quote:
I asked because I want to know if it is really necessary or it is an oil like others


What is really necessary, the Syntrans or the Texaco?

Apparently they specified the dedicated 10.4 cSt Texaco MT 94 MTL because that is what worked best in most climates.

But you should be able to use any of the oils I listed.


MTL Link
 
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That is annoying as the definately do it in 5 litres

Do a Google for Images of MTF94 and you see a picture of a 5 litre container

A lot of Land Rover owners in the UK move over to MTF94 as the gearbox ages

Ashcroft Transmissions rebuild the gearboxes a lot but not sure what oil they use.

I will have a look on Opieoils to see if they stock something suitable
 
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Apparently they specified the dedicated 10.4 cSt Texaco MT 94 MTL because that is what worked best in most climates.

But you should be able to use any of the oils I listed.


Ok! This is the point
Click to expand...
 
Specs of the Morris product as follows if that helps

Performance Level GL-4

SAE. 75w80
KI 100oC cSt 10.51
KI 40oC cSt. 63.58
VI 170
FZG, Load Stage. 11
Flash Point (Closed) oC. 190
Pour Point, oC. -45

One thing I would point out is these specs might not tell the whole story

It is not unusual for UK engineered engines, gearboxes and the like to need very specific lube specifications to work best

Not an issue in the UK perhaps but certainly an issue outside of the UK

Price for the Morria oil, 5litres, is £54 inc UK VAT @20%, as you are outside the UK I think you get that back or will not be charged for it
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: bismillah
The oil must be only GL-4 and not also GL-5, right?


That is certainly what I have read

Not sure why, that Morris product is also recommended for several other Rover or Land Rover products.

Not sure if the price is more than you want to pay

Though I will add that Morris are a very reputable and long standing producer of lubes in the UK
 
Just found out that Difflock is a rebranded Amsoil product. Which means it will be a good product but likely cheaper bought direct from Amsoil
 
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