S-Type manual gear box oil

[Russ68]

Hi all,

I've had a look around online but can't nail this down. Does anyone know spec / type of gearbox Oil I'd need for my 2001, 3.0 Sport, 5 speed manual?

I've seen on another forum a 75w90 or 75w80 is specified for the box, c1.5L. But my autofactor wants to know if synthetic or not. The MTF 94 I used in my Discovery is not suitable apparently.

And similar quantity of 75w140 for the rear axle. While we're about it, quite fancy bleeding the complete braking system, what brake fluid are we using nowadays? 

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks, Russ 

PS. She passed her 2nd MOT yesterday, straight through but advised on lower suspension arms, order both sides and fitting on Tuesday, ordered the expamnsion tank as well and finally fitting the big staggered alloys, will post pics afterwards 

 

 

[Russ68]

Seriously? Nobody know the gearbox and rear axle Oil for a 5 speed manual. Surprised at that!

[Old Peter]

Hi Russ, 

Try Opie Oils who are members of the JOC and are very helpful.

Regards,

Peter.

[Russ68]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the recommend, just spoke to them and they suggest ATF3353, which is surprising as she's a manual. They say it's just like a light gear Oil and if we went with the 75w80 or 75w90 that I've seen recommended elsewhere, it could be too thick and slow the gear shifts. 

Before I take the plunge and order this off, does anyone have any comments or knowledge? Slightly tricky I guess as most JOC members will be driving autos, but any guidance would be appreciated 

All the best, Russ

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

I'd check that 75w90 is the right Oil, that quite a thick Oil

checked on autodata and it does recomend that 75w90 for it

I used it  once in my other car and it made gear changes very stiff when cold, ended up using Castrol syntrans 75w80 in the end, which made it very smooth hot and cold

the 75w140 is correct for the diff, but on my S-type R, there's no drain plug, "sealed for life", I had to suck the old Oil out and then replace it

cheers

Joe

[Russ68]

Thanks Joe, just what I needed. If viscosity of the Oil is an issue, I was tending towards the 75w80 as opposed to the 75w90, maybe the thicker oil works best in hotter climates?

But I'm not seeing a Castrol Syntrans 75w80 listed anywhere. There is a 75 and a 75w90 Syntrans and the 75 is from Opie, who Peter informed are friend of the club. I can get a Halfrauds 75w80, and while I'm not normally bothered re branding on oils, I'm probably only going to do this once for the foreseeable, so would prefer the comfort of the branded product. Do you recall where you got your Syntrans 75w80, or could the straight 75 be a contender?

Also, what did you suck the diff Oil out with? Is it worth investing in a pump? I'm tempted to let a friend who runs a garage change the gearbox and diff Oil as he has the kit and ease of disposing of it. But he asked me to ascertain the correct oils to use. If the pump is a worthwhile investment, I'd consider it.

Thanks 

[Russ68]

Ha ha, just after I posted that I did turn up a 75w80 Syntrans, this exactly:

Castrol Syntrans V-FE 75W-80 Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Litre

Although this 75W is recommended for Ford gearboxes, it's cheaper but this isn't a great decider as I don't need much and will only mean c£10 difference:

Castrol Syntrans FE 75W Fully Synthetic Car Gearbox Oil - 1 Litre

Whereas this is the ATF that Opie recommend:

Fuchs TITAN ATF 3353 Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 Litre

Tempted to go with the 75w80 Syntrans if Joe has used it before and it meets the spec, and I can get a matching Syntrans for the back axle, job done!

Castrol Syntrax Limited Slip 75W 140 Fully Synthetic Car Gearbox Oil - Formerly SAF-XJ - 1 Litre

Opie also sell K&N filters, tempted to go for this but will leave this for later...

 

[Russ68]

Righto! I figure in for a penny, in for a pound, so I'm going to change all the fluids in the car! Something I've wanted to do since I've had it, and the boys at Opie say brake fluid every 2 years!

- Engine Oil I've done anyway and I'm doing again with a 5w30 semi synthetic.

- Transmission Oil I'm doing (after much deliberation and a little help from Joe), with Castrol Syntrans 75w80 and Syntrans 75w140 for the box and rear axle.

- Brake fluid needs a DOT4 and I'm considering a high performance Castrol DOT 4

- Power steering fluid confused me and i may need some input on, a Dextron 3 was recommended, but this is ATF, not specifically a power steering fluid. To match the rest of my synthetic Castrol choices, I thought that; Castrol Transmax Dex 3 would be a good choice, any thoughts?

Even choosing more or less the most expensive lubes I can, all of the above, excluding the engine Oil (which I have anyway), is only costing £82.60, which has to be a good investment IMHO 

 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

Have a look on euro car parts as well,

see if they sell the same Oil and wait for a offer code, they have offer codes regular and can get 30% off

there worth keeping an eye on for offers

cheers

Joe

[Russ68]

Thanks Joe, I've checked them, but think I'll go with the synthetic Castrol from Opie, as mentioned £82.50 all in, so worth spending just that little bit more on what I think is the best product 

BTW, the Supporter tag you have, what's that about? 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

51 minutes ago, Russ68 said:

Thanks Joe, I've checked them, but think I'll go with the synthetic Castrol from Opie, as mentioned £82.50 all in, so worth spending just that little bit more on what I think is the best product 

BTW, the Supporter tag you have, what's that about? 

Hi, not sure, never really noticed, not sure how it changes, the "supporter tag"

cheers

Joe

[Russ68]

Okey dokey, I wondered if you subscribed or similar, perhaps Peter can tell us when he's back online?

I'm going to leave the fluid changes until the New Year, but I will do engine Oil as I have it already. I went to update my spreadsheet on the car and I've thrown money at her this year! I don't mind it and I think all expense has been justified, but Xmas is coming so this can wait a short while!

[Old Peter]

Hi Russ, 

To become a supporter of the JOC you have to pay a small amount a year --  £20  -- which is soon regained with the discounts you can get. [15% off at Halfords for instance with some exclusions].

Just look at the Top Bar and you will see "MEMBERSHIP" and take it from there.

Regards,

Peter.

 

[Russ68]

Sounds good Peter, I think I'll do that next year for all the help I get from the forum, the discounts may be useful as well 

[Russ68]

Opie are strongly recommending the ATF3353 for they manual box. I'm still not sure but will defer my decision to the New Year when I'll be doing the job 😉

[JOE-DOT-COM]

HI

Thats a auto trans fluid,for auto's

cheers

Joe

[Russ68]

That's what I said / thought Joe. Didn't seem to phase them, apparently ATF is used in some manuals, doesn't seem right but they are the experts. They say the 75w80 is too thick and will result in slower gear changes...

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

can't find much info on the manual gearboxes on the s-types, I know 75w90 is way too thick

I'd phone a jaguar dealer and ask them, just to sure

cheers

Joe

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi Russ

have a look on the Castrol site, you can enter your reg and find recommended Oil for you car.

As jaguar allways recomend Castrol look her http://applications.castrol.com/oilselector/en_gb/c/search

they do recommend a atf for your car

cheers

joe

[Russ68]

Thanks Joe, not sure why they're referring to the gearbox as a transaxle, which it isn't, plus they suggest I should call the local distributors for expert advice. Given that these are listed as Halfrauds and B&Q, I don't think I'll bother with that! From Peter's recommend, I'll likely go with Opie and what they suggest, although I'll choose Castrol if there is an option, rather than the Fuch brand which they recommended...