Gearbox Oil Confusion.

[Ianhw77k]

I want to change the gearbox oil on mine and my wife's cars. I have a Synergie 1.9td and my wife has a Xsara Picasso 2.0hdi. When I went to the motor factors I was recommended the Morris lubricants 75w80 EP, but they only do 1litre bottles at £11.99 a damn bottle!
So, I asked my neighbour, who is a Renault mechanic, what he could get me from work. He sorted me out a bottle of Elf stuff, same grade, 75w80 but different letters, NFP (I think).
Looking into this, it seems one is designed for citroen Peugeot stuff and the other, specifically for the Renault family.
Does this make any difference? Will it be OK to use in the citroen gearboxes?
Also, if anyone can tell me the gearbox capacities it would be most helpful.
Both cars are getting on a bit now and I want to keep them going as long as possible.

Thanks for reading. Ian.

[RichardW]

Don't know about the Renault stuff, but this is the genuine article, which is what I would use: Total BV 75W/80

Each box is 1.8 litres AFAIK so you will need all 4....

[Xantidote]

A few years back, I bought a Morris Oils product (LHM) from GSF - might be worth looking at what they currently stock if you are happy with Morris Oils?

Edit: Personally, even for my high mileage Xantia gearbox, I'd stick with the manufacturer's recommended make & grade

[Ianhw77k]

I'm wondering if I'm over-complicating this, I mean, they're the same grade, it's just the following letters that are different.

[Xantidote]

it's just the following letters that are different

Sorry Ian, can't really help you on that one - guess you'll have to do a bit of digging/research.

[Hell Razor5543]

If you do go for the BV 75W80, get it from GSF (they do have it from Total), as it is less than £7 per litre (and a lot cheaper then the PSA garages!). I bought a couple within the last 6 months. While I do not know what the letters mean (possibly what additives there are in the oil), it has been STRONGLY recommended here on the forum that you only use the right oil, as (in the case of the BE3 gearbox) using the wrong oil can result in stripped cones and treacle!

[Ianhw77k]

Well, I asked the question somewhere else and have been told the Renault stuff will be fine. It was apparently designed to cope with fussy Renault synchros.
That's just one opinion so far.

I know what my dad would say, it's gearbox oil, it's got the right numbers, just stick it in and drive it!

[elma]

The letters are part of the grade whilst the numbers are only viscosities. Whatever you do use what Renault say, they're not renowned for bulletproof gearboxes.

[Ianhw77k]

As you've all probably guessed, I'm being tight fisted here. 5L of gearbox oil for free is just too tempting.
So far it looks like I'm more or less onto a winner but if I do need to put my hand in my pocket, at least I know where to go now.

[myglaren]

BV is just a French acronym for Gear Box.

[BX]

Renault and Peugeot/Citroën use the same type of oil in manual gearboxes. 75w-80 GL5.
75w80 is the viscosity and the GL5 part is how it interacts with the syncros. Anyone who wants to know more can Google the terms. There are plenty reputable articles out there.
P.S. The manufacturer of the original stuff varies. How often PSA change I don't know but at one time Peugeots were plastered in stickers warning that only Esso oil should be used.

[Ianhw77k]

I'm not getting many good definitions on Google search but I've found some interesting discussions.
This oil looks to be more than good enough for what I want. Now all I need is a square key to open the filling hole.

Thanks for all the help.

[pseud]

Bit of a old thread to pick up - but, as I was going to ask the exact same question, I though I'd add my 2Cs worth from what I'd found before asking my question.

Elf and Total are the same business since some time ago - Total once longer ago owned Citroen (dumped them into PSA with the 1973 oil shock), Elf have been associated with Renault historically.

Total BV 75W80 is mineral oil
Total Syn FE 75W90 is synthetic and seems very different
Elf NFJ 75W80 is synthetic and seems very similar
Elf NFP 75W80 is synthetic and seems very similar and is newer and ECO economy certified
(interesting the NFJ is certified for Renault gearboxes 'JXX' while the NFP is certifed for Renault gerboxes 'JXX' and 'PXX' - which might explain the meaning of J and P in the name.
All the above are GL4+, except for the Total Syn FE 75W90 which is GL4 & GL5 (truck oil?)

The stat sheet for the NFJ says:
Generally this lubricant meets the requirements of the mechanical gearboxes of
cars and vans which are fitted with brass synchromesh rings (single or multi-
cone shape).

Here's some spec sheets:
http://www4.total.fr/asia-oceania/austr ... %20TDS.pdf
http://www4.total.fr/AMO/Liban/PDF/Tota ... %20ENG.pdf
http://www4.total.fr/asia-oceania/austr ... %20TDS.pdf
http://catalog.elf.com/sites/elf/files/ ... 014_EN.pdf

Does the BE3 have brass rings/ cones?
After posting this 18 months back:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=47924
I'd like to give my gearbox some love.
So, unless anyone has any violent opposition - which I'm interested to hear - I'll be cleaning it out together with wiping the magnet and pouring in 1.8l of Elf NFP 75W80.

Thanks for listening
Morgan.

[Old-Guy]

I'm wondering if I'm over-complicating this, I mean, they're the same grade, it's just the following letters that are different.

Expert opinion on the forum is that the BE3 gearbox in particular is very fussy about the precise formulation of the oil. It is said that the Total BV 75W/80 specified for the BE3 and ML5T gearboxes was specially developed for the former and in some respect exceeds the GL5 API standard. Using other oils that meet the GL5 standard make the gearbox noisier and can lead to accelerated wear of the synchro mechanisms.

While the gearbox capacity (BL3) is 2L, it's impossible to completely drain the 'box, you'll struggle to drain much over a litre, even if you drive the front wheels up onto ramps (don't forget to drive it off before you refill).

[Fake Concern]

I know this isn't what was being asked and probably others have seen this, but in case you haven't, I found this site very useful. Just enter the car details.


http://www.total.co.uk/lubricants/autom ... visor.html