Dexron II or Dexron III? (probably one for Jim)

stedmancinques · Post by **stedmancinques** » 16 Apr 2011, 12:17

Time for a fluid change in the Xantia (4HP14) methought ; (about 40k since the last one); local motor factors, usually good, tell me that Dexron II is no longer available, but that Dexron III is fully backwards compatible.
However, I have read on a number of forums (fora?) that this is not the case, and that problems have arisen following a change-over. What do you think/know?
Problem solved for the minute as another local supplier has Comma AQM, which is Dexron II. (Is Comma, Esso?)
Cheers, K.

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 16 Apr 2011, 12:36

I'd say stick with Dexron 2, you can still buy it, its not the same as Dexron 3, an knowledgeable motor factors will be able to tell you that, I stress the knowledgeable part, most these days just read the bottle...

GSF still sell Dexron 2, my local GSF (watford) certainly understand the difference between 2 & 3.

Opie oils still sell Dexron 2. http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-442-automat ... -atfs.aspx

From what I've heard Comma oils are acceptable quality.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 16 Apr 2011, 15:20

I have to be quick but saw this and had to reply, please never ever ever use D3 in box spec'd for D2, it will kill it under certain circumstances, your garage is talking rubbish.

Use Comma D2 as its easy to get hold of and it is cheap as chips and my box gets on fine with it, just change it frequently to keep it clean.

Good luck

stedmancinques · Post by **stedmancinques** » 16 Apr 2011, 16:41

Thanks Sid & Dean, I've bought the Comma, £18.99 for 5l.

Post by **CitroJim** » 16 Apr 2011, 16:50

stedmancinques wrote:Thanks Sid & Dean, I've bought the Comma, £18.99 for 5l.

Excellent

Just to add, my advice is the same... Avoid DIII in a 'box that specifies DII...

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 16 Apr 2011, 18:13

stedmancinques wrote:Thanks Sid & Dean, I've bought the Comma, £18.99 for 5l.

Almost get two changes out of that too, bet you wish your oil changes could be so cheap Jim

glad you tracke some Comma down K, ive been using it for the4 last few years and its fine.

D

Post by **CitroJim** » 16 Apr 2011, 18:37

Deanxm wrote: Almost get two changes out of that too, bet you wish your oil changes could be so cheap Jim

I can't imagine what you mean Dean, it's sealed for life innit?

Deanxm wrote: glad you tracke some Comma down K, ive been using it for the4 last few years and its fine.

I use Comma oils (and antifreeze) extensively and I swear by it... All their stuff is good. I once heard that Halfrauds oil was made by Comma although that may not be true these days.

They are a rare supplier of the 75W/80 oil required by BE, MA and ML manual gearboxes.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 16 Apr 2011, 18:43

Im lucky as my local branch of southern exhausts stocks almost all Comma oils on shelves all round the shop, so cheap too compared to other makes.
That was the only place i could find the 75w80 oil for the Xant too, loads of it

D

stedmancinques · Post by **stedmancinques** » 16 Apr 2011, 22:07

Thanks once again, guys. Interestingly, I've found on the net a complete service (dismantling and re-assembly) guide for the 4HP14 (not that I think I'd ever do it). It's in the manual for a Daewoo Leganza (whatever that is/was).
The interesting part is that their recommended fluid change interval is 18k miles; I was told 40k, which is more or less what I've done.
Regrets? I've had a few........
Cheers, K.

Post by **Paul-R** » 17 Apr 2011, 13:13

CitroJim wrote:They are a rare supplier of the 75W/80 oil required by BE, MA and ML manual gearboxes.

Bugger. Wish I'd known that before I bought 2 x 1 litre bottles of the correct stuff from our local Citroen dealer.

Mind you, after I managed to blag an 10% discount out of them it wasn't so very much dearer that the 75W/90 that I'd been offered by the local factors, only some 20p or so extra.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 17 Apr 2011, 17:41

stedmancinques wrote:Thanks once again, guys. Interestingly, I've found on the net a complete service (dismantling and re-assembly) guide for the 4HP14 (not that I think I'd ever do it). It's in the manual for a Daewoo Leganza (whatever that is/was).
The interesting part is that their recommended fluid change interval is 18k miles; I was told 40k, which is more or less what I've done.
Regrets? I've had a few........
Cheers, K.

a daewoo leganza or what ever it is called is a good ole 80s rebadged vauxhall cavalier, or its the astra if its the hatch one.... Cannot remember which is which now...

Paul

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 17 Apr 2011, 22:47

citroenxm wrote: a daewoo leganza or what ever it is called is a good ole 80s rebadged vauxhall cavalier, or its the astra if its the hatch one.... Cannot remember which is which now...
Paul

Not sure about the Leganza but the Espero is a Cav and the Nubria the Astra.

I always fancied a Mk3 Cav, nearly went to look at one with the 1.7 Izuzu lump till I got distracted by a Xantia

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 17 Apr 2011, 22:57

Ah yes kev thats it..... Never sure which till im actually looking at them... Not that i want too...

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 17 Apr 2011, 23:02

Nice writeup on wikipediea about the leganza... It was daewoos first car design of their own not useing old gm rubbish... And yes has thr zf box in it....

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 17 Apr 2011, 23:17

citroenxm wrote:And yes has thr zf box in it....

Very sneaky way of keeping it on topic!

On a similar note, I never quite understood why GM decided to rebadge the Matiz from Daewoo to Chevrolet. Quite an image jump really.