Correct Transmission Fluid or MN6?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
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From: Cherry Hill NJ
Correct Transmission Fluid or MN6?
I was just wondering what the correct tansmission fluid is for my '92's manual transmission.
Why? Becuase of the on-going saga of the engine rebuild, I noticed that in the parts list (Parts & lubricants Used) the shop used 6 quarts of Automatic transmission fluid. Now I have a problem with my tranny.
Why? Becuase of the on-going saga of the engine rebuild, I noticed that in the parts list (Parts & lubricants Used) the shop used 6 quarts of Automatic transmission fluid. Now I have a problem with my tranny.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
zfdoc.com
I hope they did not put all that fluid in your trans. Should only take 2.2 liters.
I hope they did not put all that fluid in your trans. Should only take 2.2 liters.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
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From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by TorchRedlt4man
zfdoc.com
I hope they did not put all that fluid in your trans. Should only take 2.2 liters.
I hope they did not put all that fluid in your trans. Should only take 2.2 liters.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
First off, if the shop put ATF in your ZF6, get it out ASAP. The ZF6 was filled with 5w30 motor oil from the factory, and the ZFDoc recommends BMW 10w60 motor oil.
Also, there is no way 6 quarts of anything would fit in the ZF6. Looks like you got hosed with some phony charges.
Also, there is no way 6 quarts of anything would fit in the ZF6. Looks like you got hosed with some phony charges.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by jimbomill
I was just wondering what the correct tansmission fluid is for my '92's manual transmission.
Why? Becuase of the on-going saga of the engine rebuild, I noticed that in the parts list (Parts & lubricants Used) the shop used 6 quarts of Automatic transmission fluid. Now I have a problem with my tranny.
Why? Becuase of the on-going saga of the engine rebuild, I noticed that in the parts list (Parts & lubricants Used) the shop used 6 quarts of Automatic transmission fluid. Now I have a problem with my tranny.
Either use the factory 5w30 (not just any 5w30) or BMW Castrol 10w60 only available from BMW.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
First off, if the shop put ATF in your ZF6, get it out ASAP. The ZF6 was filled with 5w30 motor oil from the factory, and the ZFDoc recommends BMW 10w60 motor oil.
Also, there is no way 6 quarts of anything would fit in the ZF6. Looks like you got hosed with some phony charges.
Also, there is no way 6 quarts of anything would fit in the ZF6. Looks like you got hosed with some phony charges.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
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From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by Atok
Drain it ASAP! Either use the factory 5w30 (not just any 5w30) or BMW Castrol 10w60 only available from BMW.
Either use the factory 5w30 (not just any 5w30) or BMW Castrol 10w60 only available from BMW.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
The oils do have something in common - they have additional friction modifiers that help deal better with the shearing forces inside a transmission.
It sounds to me like your shop is jacking you on that fluid (what else, begs to be asked, eh?).
The BMW oil is available at your local BMW dealer for about $8.00 a litre... it requires 2.1 litres.
It sounds to me like your shop is jacking you on that fluid (what else, begs to be asked, eh?).
The BMW oil is available at your local BMW dealer for about $8.00 a litre... it requires 2.1 litres.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by jimbomill
What is different from the factory in the 5W30's case? Is that oil something a Chevy dealer readily stocks? If not, is the Beemer version readily available?
If you live in a cool climate, and you drive you Vette in below freezing temperatures, you may find the BMW oil makes the ZF a little notchier until it warms up. Some people notice it and some don't.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
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From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by bogus
The oils do have something in common - they have additional friction modifiers that help deal better with the shearing forces inside a transmission.
It sounds to me like your shop is jacking you on that fluid (what else, begs to be asked, eh?).
The BMW oil is available at your local BMW dealer for about $8.00 a litre... it requires 2.1 litres.
It sounds to me like your shop is jacking you on that fluid (what else, begs to be asked, eh?).
The BMW oil is available at your local BMW dealer for about $8.00 a litre... it requires 2.1 litres.
I saw a Mitchell's recommendation sheet that simply listed 5W30 as the correct fluid for transmission oil, not even a specific part number.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by Atok
The oils are GL rated (gear lube). Regular 5w30 motor oil is not. I like the Castrol stuff because it's synthetic, the GM oil is not. Drop into your BMW dealer and pick up 3 quarts/litres (it needs a little more than 2). There is a FAQ sticky at the top of this forum that contains the part numbers you need.
If you live in a cool climate, and you drive you Vette in below freezing temperatures, you may find the BMW oil makes the ZF a little notchier until it warms up. Some people notice it and some don't.
If you live in a cool climate, and you drive you Vette in below freezing temperatures, you may find the BMW oil makes the ZF a little notchier until it warms up. Some people notice it and some don't.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I have run Castrol 10W30 synthetic oil in my trans since new. Gordon Killebrew had recommended to me that particular weight many years ago. The factory fill in the ZF's was actually Kendall 5W30. He told me that running the 10W30 weight would eliminate the gear chatter at idle. He was absolutely correct!
My Vette (which I ordered new in March 1996) now has over 80,000 miles. I have original clutch assembly & original hydraulics. Just this past month, after reading several posts here, I changed the Castrol to the BMW fluid. I noticed a difference right away. I had changed the Castrol every two years. The trans was very quiet and very smooth. With the BMW fluid, the trans is even quieter and the shifter moves even smoother. Better than a knife thru butter.
I live in Chicago and drive my Vette until Christmas. I am not anticipating any difficulty with the colder weather, because I was already running a 10W oil in the trans.
I also run synthetic oil in the differential. Have been using synthetics since middle 70's when Amsoil was the only synthetic available. I am sold on synthetics. The BMW fluid, IMHO, is terrific.
My Vette (which I ordered new in March 1996) now has over 80,000 miles. I have original clutch assembly & original hydraulics. Just this past month, after reading several posts here, I changed the Castrol to the BMW fluid. I noticed a difference right away. I had changed the Castrol every two years. The trans was very quiet and very smooth. With the BMW fluid, the trans is even quieter and the shifter moves even smoother. Better than a knife thru butter.
I live in Chicago and drive my Vette until Christmas. I am not anticipating any difficulty with the colder weather, because I was already running a 10W oil in the trans.
I also run synthetic oil in the differential. Have been using synthetics since middle 70's when Amsoil was the only synthetic available. I am sold on synthetics. The BMW fluid, IMHO, is terrific.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by TorchRedlt4man
I have run Castrol 10W30 synthetic oil in my trans since new. Gordon Killebrew had recommended to me that particular weight many years ago. The factory fill in the ZF's was actually Kendall 5W30. He told me that running the 10W30 weight would eliminate the gear chatter at idle. He was absolutely correct!
My Vette (which I ordered new in March 1996) now has over 80,000 miles. I have original clutch assembly & original hydraulics. Just this past month, after reading several posts here, I changed the Castrol to the BMW fluid. I noticed a difference right away. I had changed the Castrol every two years. The trans was very quiet and very smooth. With the BMW fluid, the trans is even quieter and the shifter moves even smoother. Better than a knife thru butter.
I live in Chicago and drive my Vette until Christmas. I am not anticipating any difficulty with the colder weather, because I was already running a 10W oil in the trans.
I also run synthetic oil in the differential. Have been using synthetics since middle 70's when Amsoil was the only synthetic available. I am sold on synthetics. The BMW fluid, IMHO, is terrific.
My Vette (which I ordered new in March 1996) now has over 80,000 miles. I have original clutch assembly & original hydraulics. Just this past month, after reading several posts here, I changed the Castrol to the BMW fluid. I noticed a difference right away. I had changed the Castrol every two years. The trans was very quiet and very smooth. With the BMW fluid, the trans is even quieter and the shifter moves even smoother. Better than a knife thru butter.
I live in Chicago and drive my Vette until Christmas. I am not anticipating any difficulty with the colder weather, because I was already running a 10W oil in the trans.
I also run synthetic oil in the differential. Have been using synthetics since middle 70's when Amsoil was the only synthetic available. I am sold on synthetics. The BMW fluid, IMHO, is terrific.
I wonder what would be involved with identifying what was really used, whether it was plain old 5W30, or (I hope not) the ATF that was listed on the sheet?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
If ATF is in there, you'll know it when you drain the trans. ATF is red.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Just to clarify:
The BMW fluid is actually Catrol 10W60. BMW sells it in the Castrol container and does not rebox. I believe it is used in the M3 and M5 engines.
The Castrol oil is NOT available anywhere else. Even thru Castrol.
So, now I will be a customer of BMW.
At least for my transmission oil.
I have been thinking of using it in my LT4.
The BMW fluid is actually Catrol 10W60. BMW sells it in the Castrol container and does not rebox. I believe it is used in the M3 and M5 engines.
The Castrol oil is NOT available anywhere else. Even thru Castrol.
So, now I will be a customer of BMW.
At least for my transmission oil.
I have been thinking of using it in my LT4.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
Got the car back yesterday - so far so good - no grinding sound and it's been up to temperature quite easily in yesterday's heat. This evening was cooler, but we tooled around quite nicely. 200 more miles and I'm done the break-in period!!!!
We went with the Castrol. What came out was not ATF, but I'm afraid it was plain old Pennzoil made for GM 5W30 or 5W50.
More miles tomorrow!!!!
We went with the Castrol. What came out was not ATF, but I'm afraid it was plain old Pennzoil made for GM 5W30 or 5W50.
More miles tomorrow!!!!
