Pennzoil myth or fact ?

[MAYHEM]

I have a very well maintained 94 Probe with a 2.5 5-speed. I'm going to change my fluid here within a week or two. Alot of the members on some of the Probe fourms I'm on, swear by either
1)Redline MT90
2)BG Synchroshift
3)Pennzoil synchromesh
not in this order. Royal Purple and Amsoil is it there too.

They all get the same type of reveiws from member, but the Pennzoil crowd mention that you will have to change it every 5K because it really breaks down quickly. This was the first I've heard of it. I would like to use since it is readily avalable. Any inputs?

Cheers

 

[Bill in Utah]

Total lies.

Find another board to get real info on.

Pennzoil gear oil needing to be replaced every 5k due to "breaking" down...

Take care, bill

 

[MAYHEM]

That's what I'm thinking, I can't see 5K break down.

 

[Johnny]

Bad information, poppycock, and just plain B.S. Agree with Bill 100%. Great product.

 

[Bror Jace]

MAYHEM, what does this application call for?

Pennzoil syncromesh and Red Line MT-90 are not really competitors as they vary greatly in thickness. MTL and Pennzoil Syncromesh are pretty close ... with the MTL being slightly thicker.

 

[Pablo]

As far as I know that tranny calls for GL-4, 75W-90. So the Pennzoil would be on the low viscosity side. Might work OK in cold places.

Redline MT-90, Amsoil MTG are the ranges you should be looking at.

 

[Johnny]

If you application calls for GL-4, 75W-90, then that Pennzoil product is the wrong application. Always use what the manufacture recommends, not what someone thinks will work.

 

[double vanos]

That Probe forum would have back that "breaks down" statement up with a UOA from a reputable service before I'd put too much weight on it.

Like here at BITOG.......

 

[Bror Jace]

Actually, knowing that the Probe/MX-6 takes a 90 weight gear oil makes some sense.

See, when some users are trying to use the much-too-thin Pennzoil Synchromesh (or the similar GM/Chrysler synchromesh fluids) it probably makes shifting feel better, initially. But since it's the wrong weight, the shift-feel performance quickly goes down hill so they (incorrectly) theorize that the Pennzoil product is 'breaking down.'

MAYHEM, use Red Line MT-90 or the Amsoil MTG. Both Red Line and Amsoil make thinner syncromesh fluids so people way up north can use these to slightly thin out the MTG/MT-90 for better cold-weather performance (80/20 or 75/25 percent blends).

 

[scoobie]

I thought that the Pennzoil synchromesh seemed a bit thin, so I mixed it with ST 75w90 semi synth Gl5 gear oil, and Mobil 1 5w30 extended synthetic motor oil. The Mobil 1 is safe for yellow metals, and dilutes out the Gl5 additive, so it's more like a Gl4. Right now my Mitsubishi tranny is shifting with finger tip action and runs REAL quiet and smooth. The manual calls for a 75w85 Gl4, so I'm running slightly thin, probably more like a 70w85 but I think it's an improvement.
We're in a deep freeze right now, bitterly cold, but you wouldn't guess it from the way my car is running right now (it's also got
5w25 Shell synth in the crankcase).

 

[MAYHEM]

Thanks for all the inputs. This all started when I noticed that my tranny was getting a little grind when cold and notchy when shifting. So I searched the fourms at the Probe site and realized that there are alot of different opinons about manual tranny fluid. Now I know that I'm twice the age of 90% of the members there so I take into account the "tall stories" and so on but it seems that this tranny can use a number of different fluids. I just want to use a good one with that might help the cold grind.

PS I brought it up here because most of the ppl have there act together.

 

[kingrob]

The Pennzoil Synchromesh is a good oil, and I guarantee it's not breaking down, like everyone else said it's just too thin.

Quote:
PS I brought it up here because most of the ppl have there act together.


Correction, some of the people have their act together.

 

[MAYHEM]

Originally Posted By: Bror Jace
Actually, knowing that the Probe/MX-6 takes a 90 weight gear oil makes some sense.

See, when some users are trying to use the much-too-thin Pennzoil Synchromesh (or the similar GM/Chrysler synchromesh fluids) it probably makes shifting feel better, initially. But since it's the wrong weight, the shift-feel performance quickly goes down hill so they (incorrectly) theorize that the Pennzoil product is 'breaking down.'

MAYHEM, use Red Line MT-90 or the Amsoil MTG. Both Red Line and Amsoil make thinner syncromesh fluids so people way up north can use these to slightly thin out the MTG/MT-90 for better cold-weather performance (80/20 or 75/25 percent blends).


Ditto, that makes senses. I'll be using the RL.