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Gearbox oil? TAF-X No more?


Rich H

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What's the latest on this I just got six bottles of syntrans from PUK. Can I use it ? Do I have a choice lol

What was wring with Castrol Syntrax 75/90 from your local Repco store ?

Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it, depends on what you put into it. (Tom Leahrer)

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Apparently GL4 (SynTrans) vs GL4 and GL5 (TAF-X) and the specs for each would explain their differences I would expect.

Quoted from BenzWorld:

Hi Guys,

I have an Email from castrol dated July 27, 2007 about GL4 vs. GL5.

This is an excerpt:

"API GL-5 gear oil designates service of hypoid and other types of gears

commonly found in rear axles. A GL-4 oil may be employed in certain manual

transmissions.

These differences are mainly distinguished by the level of active additives

employed in the product. Different applications require different additive

levels and different component materials can be affected by the levels of

additives present in the lubricant.

Having said that GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils are not compatible and

manufacturer's recommendations should be adhered to. They cannot meet the

same specifications and the product performance and tests are different.

Typically, a GL-5 gear oil will have about 2 times the active additive level

of a GL-4 product. This additional additive can cause problems with yellow

metals like brass or bronze."

Take it for what it's worth. I put fresh Castrol GL-4 in my tranny and it shifts great now.

Please note too that bronze bearings (bushings) are made from a alloy such as “bronzalloy” or “oilite” that is softer than the alloy used to make syncro rings. Also the bearing would be subject to stress the entire time the transmission is working while the syncro rings see intermittent stresses of short duration. This may be why bearings could be affected but not syncro rings.

I had to get it from Lubrication products specialists and had to buy a 5 gallon bucket.

Regards,

Jeff

Another reference - see MT90 disclaimer about use in diffs having hypoid gears as well

http://www.widman.bi...ansaxle_oil.pdf

Essentially NO GL5 in anything having any yellow metal that the oil can contact and GL5 in the differential if you want the high pressure protections it offers and commonly found in the UN1.

Edited by MikieP
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I herd Castrol Syntrax 75/90, had made it to Hethel for testing, last I herd, they hadn't yet but expected it would pass.

I've been using it in the Esprit, ever since my first oil and fluid change (2007), no issues.

RH report : Word is it's low temperature performance is not optimum, it is noticeable that I need the gearbox up to operating temperature before attempting cluchless changing, but I've never meet a gearbox that could do it cold anyway.

Personal opinion: Would you red line your engine on start up ? no neither would I, Syntrax is fine.

Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it, depends on what you put into it. (Tom Leahrer)

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  • 4 weeks later...

Who is the party on here who has actually been speaking to the factory? After reading the thread its not entirely clear who is getting info from where. Can whoever it is contact the factory again and get even an update? I desperately need to change my tranny oil and Im completely stumped as to what to do. I want to follow lotus recommendation.

has anyone found CASTROL TAF-X left over online anywhere? I see some on ebay but no one ships to australia. I got oil from germany before (the wrong one) so it gets through, i can send someone money to buy it for me and send it on?

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  • 4 months later...

I found this site via Google in my search for TAF-X. For what it's worth, TAF-X is still available to buy direct from Castrol UK, I ordered 4 litres this morning for an impending oil change.

http://www.castrol.c...vember_2011.pdf

There seems to be a price break as they only charged me £16.55 per litre, not £18.55 as per the price list (every little helps)

Also, it is not listed on the price list, but they also have 20 litre drums of TAF-X available for the "tidy" sum of £327.

Edited by dmc
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  • 4 weeks later...

I had to top up my g/box with about 500ml today, I think I am losing it through the driveshaft seals.

I bought SJ Sportscars last 3l of TAF-X about a year ago.

I see they now carry MOBIL 1 SHC 75W90, so presumably it is a suitable replacement.

This company claims they are equivalent:

http://www.harkgroup.cz/download/srovnavaci_tabulka.pdf

Steve

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Bibs,

It's a year later, and this space doesn't have an official confirmation on Syntrans. Did Lotus give it the factory approval?

Thanks!

I can supply TAF-X still but you'll need to buy it a dozen bottles at a time at around £15/l or I'll stock up if there's expected sales, I've not room to hold lots of stock of anything.

Lotus are testing the Syntrans currently. It's 99.9% the same as TAF-X so will probably become the factory recommendation but watch this space for official confirmation.

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  • 1 month later...
Did a lookup in Olyslager Organisation's program seen from a Total/Elf perspective
-----------
Transaxle, manuel
 
Capacity 3 liter
 
Forward gear: 5
Reverse: 1
 
Control 10000 km/6 month
Change 20000 km/12 month
 
OEM recommendation
All-year Gearoil, SHC 630 -
 
Total / Elf product
All-year Carter SH 220
------------------------
 
/Kim

/Kim 

Proud member of Watford Exotic Scandinavian Team...

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I'm sure I've posted this up before...

 

Our Aftersales Group were advised some months ago that Castrol Syntrans is the Lotus approved replacement for Castrol TAF-X for the Renault UN1 Transaxle.

 

They are now supplying the Dealer Network with this product.

 

The product is known as Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90 (Manual Transmission Fluid – Transaxle) See attached Castrol Data Sheet.

 

I believe they have not yet released a Dealer Communication to identify the change of product.

 

It should be noted that this product is different to Castrol Syntrax which is available in some territories.

 

Castrol TAF-X is still available from some outlets.

For forum issues, please contact the Moderators.

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Bibs,

First I have heard of the Factory making said declaration as well. Dare I ask for yet another confirmation lest I become beheaded herein? SynTrans is not GL5 spec'ed whereas TAF-X is, and that lack of rating does make a difference per Castrol.

MikieP

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  • 2 months later...

Can't believe it, ordered from eBay 3 litres of Castrol syntrans transaxle 75w 90 TAF X GL5, but received Castrol syntrans transaxle 75w 90 Api GL4+, hopefully get it exchanged, or is it ok to use in my SE, any more news from Lotus

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rowge,

They are incorrect, per Castrol themselves. SynTrans is NOT GL5 and does not meet the high temps the UN1 seems to attain. Castrol has discontinued TAF-X production and it appears that LOTUS has bought most if not all remaining stocks. Castrol replaced TAF-X in their product line with SynTrans apparently due to lowered demand. I repeat, it is NOT a direct substitute for TAF-X.

Edited by MikieP
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