Technical Issue--MT tranny oil

[Lafter]

Originally Posted by JimIsbell

I am still running Type F ATF as I have been unable to find the light stuff for the box. All I can find at AutoZone and Oreilleys is 80wt. which is way to heavy.

But the synchronisers are working much better now. I used to have to stop in order to get it into 1st gear, now I can down shift at 8mph and down shift to 2nd is good at 27mph.

I put some ATF Type F in last night.

On my ride to work I could down shift into first @ 6mph without grinding (I used to have to stop)

I could downshift into 2nd @ 15mph without grinding (it was under 10mph)

[eq1]

Originally Posted by Eli

Ok, I've been doing some research.

I'm REALLY liking this Redline stuff. I'm going to order some immediately. It is by far the lowest viscosity gear oil I've been able to find....

This could be the perfect oil for us. I will definitely report back, but the transmission in my car has no problems, so I don't know what it will tell us...

Any updates on how well this oil has performed for you? How about anyone else who has experimented with different transmission fluids - or substitutes?

[AClewell]

I put the Redline Superlight in my 01 with the grinding first and second issue and it didn't make any differance either way. I have been running it for about 6 months. I might try the type F if it isn't causing damage in the transmissions that have been testing it. Lafter have you checked the magnet on your drain plug?

Thanks
Alan

[jime]

I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but one concern I would have in deviating from the Honda recommendation would be the longevity of seals. The problem with seal issues is that they don't show up immediately. The wrong "chemistry" between the lube and the seals can accelerate seal failure and you won't know it until it is too late.

As an example, when GM stopped making Dexron III, there was a warning from Allison Transmissions, used in many motorhomes, not to use the newer Dexron IV because of seal issues. I obviously didn't do a "destruction" test on my very expensive Allison transmission, but the advice was offered by Allison representatives in a seminar.

I too have used ATF in gearboxes with stiff synchronizers. I once had a BMW race car into which I installed a Ray Korman built transmission. When I complained about stiff shifting, he advised ATF for a "couple" of races, then replacement with the spec oil. That approach worked in this particular case.

When it comes to seals, the truth is sometimes hard to find

[Lafter]

Originally Posted by AClewell

I put the Redline Superlight in my 01 with the grinding first and second issue and it didn't make any differance either way. I have been running it for about 6 months. I might try the type F if it isn't causing damage in the transmissions that have been testing it. Lafter have you checked the magnet on your drain plug?

Thanks
Alan

I ran the ATF type F for about 2 months then switched out to amsoil full synth.

The magnet looked fine.