C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

What fluid for ZF6-trans.

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Old Jun 14, 2002 | 01:46 PM
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Default What fluid for ZF6-trans.

I know the manual recomends Castrol for the ZF-6 but was wondering if anyone uses anything different.
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Old Jun 14, 2002 | 02:02 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

Use the GM fluid. 2 bottles of the stuff. Anything else is questionable.
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Old Jun 14, 2002 | 02:18 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

Manual recommends GM 1052931 manual transaxel fluid.

ZF has approved Castrol Formula RS Synthetic which I believe is a 10W-60 available from your Local BMW dealer. I hear that this oil has been discontinued and replaced with an oil with less HP additives to meet current US requirements for protection of the O2 sensor and cat converter. I am interested if anybody else has heard this.

There is a tech tip on this topic.

Pete
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Old Jun 14, 2002 | 08:06 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (94vette)

Use the GM fluid. 2 bottles of the stuff. Anything else is questionable.
Actually you will need 3 bottles, since the fluid capacity is about 2.2 qts. You'll have some leftover for next time.
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Old Jun 14, 2002 | 09:49 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (JasonL)

The ZF has the drain plug and the Diff doesn't... ?
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Old Jun 15, 2002 | 12:54 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

Believe it or not, ZF also recommends using ATF. I just use the GM stuff.
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Old Jun 15, 2002 | 01:01 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (merrick)

Believe it or not, ZF also recommends using ATF.
Or not. GM, nor ZF has never recommended ATF for the ZF transmission in a C4. You should restrain from posting information that you don't have information about. This is an expensive transmission, and you don't want new members to make a mistake that could cost them thousands of dollars.

Pete
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Old Jun 15, 2002 | 08:47 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (merrick)

Believe it or not, ZF also recommends using ATF. I just use the GM stuff.
I have my doubts. Any links to ZF's web site or some written proof?

BTW, I use the Castrol 10W-60 stuff, shifts are much smoother now (OK, the Hurst helped out too).

Eric
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Old Jun 15, 2002 | 09:39 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

I have been using the Red Line MTL in my ZF, no problems what so ever, if anything the shifts are much easier going into the gears.
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 04:05 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

I am not BSing. I emailed the ZF lubricant specialist about 5 months ago and Dexron ATF was one of their recommendations. Do a search and you will find the thread.
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 04:17 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

Here it is http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=279587
Pete you posted there too!
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 06:20 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

I've been using the Redline MTL as well and I'm very pleased! :yesnod:
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 07:12 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (9vette3)

RedLine! THe tranny is so much smoother. And NO probleme!
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 08:03 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (IcemanZ06)

I’m also using Red Line MTL. There some guys that said so much crap in the past that you have to use the GM fluid, and if you don’t you ZF will have problems. They talk like the ZF will dissolve if you put anything else in it. I have been running Red Line in mines for many years now, and also know other guys doing the same. The only I heard the had problems running Red Line was the guy from the Santa Clara County which he claims that Red Line hurt his ZF, but he has no solid proof of that. Only one person’s word on this issue and everyone thinks the GM fluid is some magic oil. Until these guys come up with some solid proof, I’m not sure these guys doing the talking have any creditability.
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 08:11 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (LEADFOOT_)

How hard is it to change the fluid? What all do I need? With 74k I'm sure it couldn't hurt! I have noticed my tranny has been whining a bit more lately too could this help?

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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 09:01 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (James94LT1)

James

It’s not hard at all to change the fluid. You’ll need a 17mm Allen bit that you can find at a parts store. It’s the same Allen socket for a drain plug on a VW or a Porsche. You want to make sure you loosen the fill plug first on the side of the tranny, and then loosen the drain plug on the bottom. Since you haven’t changed yours in a while it may be a little tight. You may want to give it a few solid taps and see if you can break it loose. After that you’ll need a pump to pump the fluid back into the tranny. You’ll need about 2.2 quarts of the fluid. I’m not going to tell you what to use, but I prefer also the Red Line MTL fluid, but what you use is up to you, good luck this should be an easy job.
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Old Jun 16, 2002 | 09:54 PM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (LEADFOOT_)

LEADFOOT_

I think you should put whatever makes YOU_ happy in YOUR_ transmission. Just please reveal your maintenance records when you sell the car and let the buyer consider if this is an positive or negative maintenance item.
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Old Jun 17, 2002 | 12:52 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (PeteL)

Pete

I don’t have a problem telling anyone on what fluids I use. There’s no top secret on what fluid I use. As I said earlier I use Red Line MTL. Who the hell are you “The Lube Patrol”?
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Old Jun 17, 2002 | 01:14 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (LEADFOOT_)

:lol:
Who the hell are you “The Lube Patrol”?
:lol:

No way! I am just interested in everybody that participates in the "experiment" of using non approved lubricants in such an expensive transmission. No big deal if you intend to sell the car, but big deal to the buyer. That is my point.
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Old Jun 17, 2002 | 09:51 AM
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Default Re: What fluid for ZF6-trans. (PeteL)

I emailed ZF about their recomended fluid a day or two ago because I could not find that post above about their response the first time. They still say to use:

1. GM part no. 1052931
2. BMW part no. 0751009420 (Castrol RS 10W60)
3. ATF according to ZF class 02F ( found on website: http://www.zf.com )

I wish I would have seen this post before I asked but oh well. The response was from the same guy, Martin Vogel.
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