Gearbox oil

[doctle]

I finally bought the Haynes manual for the 307 timing belt and reading through it the book says 75w80 GL5 gear oil. Doesn't say if synthetic semi synthetic or mineral. I had already bought a gallon of gear oil as recommended by my local motor factor it's 75W90 GL5 semi synthetic would it be ok? I looked at the misterauto website and they show 2 different oils 75w80 and 80w90 as being suitable. On the timing belt is it essential to change the water pump?

[white exec]

Do check with pukka Peugeot pages/owner's handbook whether the gearbox should be on GL-5 or GL-4.
Where -4 is specified, do not use -5.
If spec says 4/5, go for -4.

75W-80 GL-4 is a bit difficult to find, but Cit/Pug counters will have Total Transmission 8 gear oil available, which is exactly this spec.

Check the requirement first, though.

[doctle]

Haynes says 75W80 to API GL5 specification ESSO gear oil BV or Total transmission BV. I can get 75w80 Eurol gear oil it's mineral tho and I'm not familiar with the brand.

[doctle]

I just checked on service box and it says to use 75W80-EZL848 which is GL4 oil, now I'm really confused I also checked GSF they came up with Carlube fully synthetic 75w90 GL4/5 Micks garage recommends Febi Bilstein Manual Transmision Oil 40580 again GL5 as does Eurocarparts . I'm confused now!

[white exec]

Very few folk, even suppliers, understand the difference between GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils. *

Briefly, GL-5 oil contains additional friction reducers, and these can do two things to gearboxes which are not designed for it:
- damage to the brass rings which are part of the synchromesh assemblies
- insufficient friction to allow the synchromesh to operate quickly and cleanly.

If the manufacturer's pages ask for GL-4, you should use it.
Many vendors offer "GL-4/5" oils, to avoid stocking both; these are a compromise spec.
Other vendors do not know the diffence between the two, or think (incorrectly) that 5 is a replacement for 4.

With GL-4 in a manual box that calls for it, you will find gear changes easier.
The Total Transmission 8 above is excellent in this respect.

Use of GL-5 will make gear changes less easy.
Use of 75W-90 (instead of 75W-80) will make gear engagement and changes baulky, particularly in cold weather.

I shopped about a lot for 75W-80 GL-4, and was palmed off with all sorts, before realising that Citroen/Pug workshops use the Total oil for most PSA cars.

I use it now in our XM, where it has transformed gear shifting, compared to the previous GL-5, used in error.

* Plenty of detailed info on the web about this

[Hell Razor5543]

I know that CitroJim says to use Total BV75W80 in the BE3 gearboxes, otherwise you end up with treacle and failing synchromesh rings. Citronut used the same in the gearbox of my Xantia, when we worked on her.

[doctle]

Very few folk, even suppliers, understand the difference between GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils. *

Briefly, GL-5 oil contains additional friction reducers, and these can do two things to gearboxes which are not designed for it:
- damage to the brass rings which are part of the synchromesh rings
- insufficient friction to allow the synchromesh to operate quickly and cleanly.

If the manufacturer's pages ask for GL-4, you should use it.
Many vendors offer "GL-4/5" oils, to avoid stocking both; these are a compromise spec.
Other vendors do not know the diffence between the two, or think (incorrectly) that 5 is a replacement for 4.

With GL-4 in a manual box that calls for it, you will find gear changes easier.
The Total Transmission 8 above is excellent in this respect.

Use of GL-5 will make gear changes less easy.
Use of 75W-90 (instead of 75W-80) will make gear engagement and changes baulky, particularly in cold weather.

I shopped about a lot for 75W-80 GL-4, and was palmed off with all sorts, before realising that Citroen/Pug workshops use the Total oil for most PSA cars.

I use it now in our XM, where it has transformed gear shifting, compared to the previous GL-5, used in error.

* Plenty of detailed info on the web about this

Thanks for that, does it matter if it's mineral or synthetic?

[white exec]

I think you'll find most up-to-date gear oils are now semi-synthetic.

[doctle]

I know that CitroJim says to use Total BV75W80 in the BE3 gearboxes, otherwise you end up with treacle and failing synchromesh rings. Citronut used the same in the gearbox of my Xantia, when we worked on her.

I was under the impression that Haynes got their data from the manufacturer they say 75w80 GL5

[doctle]

I think you'll find most up-to-date gear oils are now semi-synthetic.

The only 75w80 oil I could get was Eurol brand GL4 mineral oil I never heard of the brand. I did look on mister auto and they show 2 oils 75w80 and 80w90, http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/gearbox-oi ... g3225.html

[Hell Razor5543]

I have just looked in the owners handbook for a Xantia S2, and it shows that (for the manual gearbox) the only oil to be used is "Total Transmission BV 75 W - 80 (New Formula)". I assume that this is suitable for both the BE3 and the ML5T manual gearboxes used across the Xantia S2 range. GSF have done this oil in the past. While their website does not show Total oil, it might be worth checking at your local branch.

I just did an e-bay search, and found this (you may need to reset the options);

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOTAL-QUARTZ- ... 5TOPRgVVRw

You will need two litres (as the gearbox takes about 1.8 litres).

[doctle]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Total-Transmi ... SwB-1Ytt3-

Is this the correct oil?

[Hell Razor5543]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Total-Transmi ... SwB-1Ytt3-

Is this the correct oil?

Yes, that is the right stuff.

[doctle]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Total-Transmi ... SwB-1Ytt3-

Is this the correct oil?

Yes, that is the right stuff.

Thanks mate I'll order it and drain the other stuff.

[Hell Razor5543]

I am assuming you have either a BE3 or ML5T gearbox? If you are not sure, don't change the oil until you know what gearbox you have.