Fluid/oil for AL4 gearbox

atr · Unread post by **atr** » 04 Aug 2011, 10:34

Since I have to change the oil in my 2001 xantia's gearbox (equipped with AL4 gearbox), I was looking for a substitute/equivalent for the original fluid. From Citroen it is outrageously expansive, so, I've found out that there is a Belegian
oil manufacturer named "sunoco" that manufactures "sunamatic atf 155" that is an equivalent to the original fluid (its price here in Israel is less than half of the Citroen's). I also was told by the local agent that it is used in VW (are there any VW's with AL4 gear?). Anybody heard about this manufacturer/product? do you know/recommend any fluid?
Thanks.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 04 Aug 2011, 11:04

Are there any specialist importers of Total or Esso oils from Europe?

Both offer LT71141 in 20 litre drums here. It costs about $8/litre (say 30ILS per litre) at workshop prices...

atr · Unread post by **atr** » 04 Aug 2011, 11:35

Thanx addo
As far as I know not Total nor Esso are imported to Israel. the original fluid from Citroen costs about $28 per liter and that's why I was looking for an alternative. as I've mentioned before, I was told that the Sunamatic atf 155 is an equivalent to the Esso LT 71141, but I never heard about it.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Aug 2011, 12:23

There is no alternative..

End of...

This has been discussed several times in the past to great debate but the answer is always the same. There is none...

Can you and some freinds perhaps not import say, a 20l drum and save a bit of money that way?

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 04 Aug 2011, 13:27

The original oil, Esso LT 71141 has become Mobil LT 71141.
It’s used in Citroën and Peugeot AL4 and ZF 4HP20 boxes.
VW and others also use the ZF box and LT 71141 oil.

Renault uses the AL4 box, but calls it DPO and put Dexron III in it.
Sunoco is an american company and their ATF 155 is a Dexron III.

I got my car at 94,000 km and it didn’t have the LT 71141 in it, and I’m still going at 118,000 km.
I put australian Penrite oil in the AL4 but it obviously comes from another company.
It looks like LT 71141 but doesn’t feel or smell like it, and it doesn’t pretend to last a ‘lifetime’.
Castrol Transmax Z is a certain alternative but it’s also expensive.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 04 Aug 2011, 21:25

I have come to conclusion that the oil is expensive wherever you are BUT it is freely available .

Sometimes it is better to save time, rather than money

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Aug 2011, 22:03

This thread is a long discussion on ATF in connection with the AL4, the 4HP20 and what is believed to be viable substitutes.

It's worth a read

mlkey · Unread post by **mlkey** » 06 Aug 2011, 06:50

CitroJim wrote:This thread is a long discussion on ATF in connection with the AL4, the 4HP20 and what is believed to be viable substitutes.

It's worth a read

I have a document from ZF, which lists all their transmissions (including the 4HP20 and 6HP20) and the various oils they can use, but can not work out how to attach it

Unread post by **myglaren** » 06 Aug 2011, 07:36

mlkey wrote:
CitroJim wrote:This thread is a long discussion on ATF in connection with the AL4, the 4HP20 and what is believed to be viable substitutes.

It's worth a read
I have a document from ZF, which lists all their transmissions (including the 4HP20 and 6HP20) and the various oils they can use, but can not work out how to attach it

There is no forum facility to attach documents. Can you link to the original?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 06 Aug 2011, 20:31

mlkey wrote: I have a document from ZF, which lists all their transmissions (including the 4HP20 and 6HP20) and the various oils they can use, but can not work out how to attach it

If it's the same as the one in the linked thread mlkey then it's open to interpretation. Interpretation of the wrong kind..

Sorry to sound like a cracked record here but you can consult all the lists and recommendations you like but in the end it comes down to one oil only: LT71141. There is no various about it.