Mr Locust Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 I am looking at what oils to put in a brand new 6sp caterham gearbox and am getting conflicting views. Handbook says Caterham motorsport gear oil grade GL4 but gives no indication of mineral / synthetic or lard let alone viscosity First caterham man says caterham oil is available only by taking your own tin - this is impractical as I'm in the midlands and the factory is in Kent. First caterham man says any straight ep 80 will do instead. By now I'm getting suspicious and had to phone about something else so I asked again. Second caterham man says any ep90. When I remove one of the shipping plugs and upend the box - thin red oil comes out NO STRAIGHT EP GRADE OIL I HAVE EVER SEEN IS BRIGHT RED SO WHY THE BIG SECRET ? The diff oil selection was easy - I emailed a nice chap at ZF in Deutschland and he sent me a schedule of all the ZF approved oils for plate type LSD's. Similarly 0w40 full synthetic engine oils from just about any of the bigger manufacturers conform to the latest API classifications so it's more about brand loyalties than anythig else. What gear oils did you use? What has been used in error and is specifically to be avoided for this unit? Thanks in advance Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain chaos Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 You will find lot's of discussion about this in the archive. Alot of people say that the Redline oil is the stuff to go for. Phil @ R&R told me he would be happy with any top brand EP80. he told me to keep clear of the synthetic stuff. Its so long ago I forget why. I've used the castrol EP80 since owning the car. I've had no problems in terms of shifting etc, so i'm happy to recommend it. Have a look in the archive though if you want more opinion/detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicat Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 I recall there has been lots of comments etc. on EP or Synth on the site. Can't recall the why's and wherefores, mines still got EP in. Alicat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Mr Locust, Ian, I think the GL4 only identifies a particular Gear Lubricant 4, as against earlier varieties, ie GL3, and so on, it doesn't have anything to do with the oil type, mineral or synthetic, or the viscosity, as to which type to use in your 6 speeder, it seems you pays your money and takes your chioce, personally I am using Castrol Syntrax 75w/90 (fully synthetic) in my clunky Ford 5 speed, have no problems and the shift is as slick and quick as you could hope for, but perhaps I'm just fortunate, sorry I can't help to any greater degree, regards Nigel. P.s. the synthetic oil I use is bright red, and hugely expensive, must be something else in it's favour. p.p.s. the Caterham build manual dated november 1996 section 20 (final checks and sevice info) states to use Ford oil p/n 5015547, or alternatively any fully synthetic gear oil, and the quantity quoted is 2 litres. 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours. Edited by - nigelriches on 17 Jan 2003 08:31:10 Edited by - nigelriches on 17 Jan 2003 08:39:27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Reaper Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Castrol TAF-X seems to be a good bet...GL4 graded. If you were to use a GL5 grade it would be too slippery,the synchro would not be able to work properly and would give poor changes/baulking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinwhitcher Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Redline MTL is the stuff to use! Martin MW 51 CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILL FLY Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 I've used Mobil 1 ATF SHC since new, 15000 miles no problem. DT cat 2003 page 222 item 25 part no MOBILSHC 9.72per litre. Roy See willfly.net for more info. If you don't spin you ain't trying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeps Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 I changed to Redline MTL 2years ago and would't use anything else now. deeps Deep down you know it makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 I was having a few set-up problems with a six speed. I now use Redline MTL (2 American Quarts about 27UKP) and find it VV good indeed!!!! Clamshell Club Founder Member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 17, 2003 Share Posted January 17, 2003 Get your Red Line oils from Fluke Motorsport. Tell them Blatman sent you.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted January 18, 2003 Share Posted January 18, 2003 ................and they'll add 30% to the cost to cover his 'finder' fee! 😬 Clamshell Club Founder Member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicat Posted January 18, 2003 Share Posted January 18, 2003 Redline MTL it will be then when the time comes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Locust Posted January 19, 2003 Author Share Posted January 19, 2003 Thanks chaps. This is quite ressuring as it seems to indicate that the 6 speeed box is capable of running with pretty much any oil as long as it's not too slippy. I was expecting comments about poor shifting if you don't use a very specific type of oil and this obviously is not the case. Does the redline really make it sufficiently better to justify about six times the cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafty Crastard Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 The bottom line is use what Caterham recommend especialy if its under warranty. Red Line MTL is not the approved grade of oil ☹️ R300 NUT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Bafty. No. The bottom line is that Caterham's race series gearbox expert is Phil Stewart and he used to recommend Shell Spirax G80 (cheap) until it was discontinued and now he recommends Redline MTL. The exception is for use in high ambient temperature conditions where Redline M90 oil would be more suitable. Caterham outsource all their gearbox expertise. There will be no warranty issue from using Redline MTL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 "now he recommends Redline MTL" - I knew he'd come round to my way of thinking eventually Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 He always did reckon MTL was suitable and good, but he reckoned that Shell Spirax was a bargain and the extra for MTL wasn't worth it. Now that you can't get Spirax, MTL gets his vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wag Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 I understand that Ford changed the spec of the Ford oil that Caterham specify/specified so that it is no longer suitable. I used it and found the gear change a bit balky. When I changed it at 6000 miles, I was surprised at how 'silvery' it had become. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bafty Crastard Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 )his is all very confusing, you pay £26k on a car for Caterham to tell to use a 75w90 (MT90 ?) GL- 4 grade gear box oil, then the consensus is to use a 75W80 (MTL) GL-4 grade ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisiden Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 My caterham service book (recent 2001) says Comma SX75w90 (GL5 Synthetic based) for 6 speed box I've just bought a 1litre bottle from my local supplier, and it is red in colour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Duncan Posted January 24, 2003 Share Posted January 24, 2003 Faced with the same dilema I followed Martins advice about Redline and purchased from Delta Oils 01476 861195 -ask for Gavin, free posting (next day) and don't forget to ask for your Owners club discount (17.5%) no connection apart from very good service!! Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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