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Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

R380 - Moving away from MTF94?

Is there any need or benefit? My local auto store supplys Texaco MTF94 in 1L bottles for £9 which isn't too bad.

Although I know I need to keep with GL4 graded oil and away from GL5 due to corrosion of bronze/copper parts, is there any reason why an oil like Castrol Syntrans (GL3 GL4 approved) could be better?

Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 Fully Synthetic MTF (Replaces SMX S 75w-85)
Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 Fully Synthetic MTF (replaces Castrol SMX S 75w-85) is recommended for most manual transmissions where API GL-4 lubricants are required. It has been used successfully as a problem solver in the manual transmissions of a number of manufacturers.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-739-castrol-sy...5w-85.aspx

Putting a large order in with Opie Oils with 10% so wondering if best to get this at the same time as they don't sell the exact MTF94 branded stuff.

I know people talk both good and bad about Difflock evolution oil however I'm not that interested and will be changing the oil at 12,000 intervals or under.

Read tons over the web regarding R380 oil. If anyone wants to add 2p to a 2015 post that would be great. Thanks.

Ps: Any advice on a quality oil for the transfer box and diffs would be great too. "Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

26th Apr 2015 1:13am

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

194 views and no replies. Ok

Well.... does anyone use anything in their R380 gearbox that isn't MTF94 and hasn't had an adverse effect?

What brand do you use in the transfer box and axels?

"Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

27th Apr 2015 12:24pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

I've been using Fuchs oils/fluids in the soft top, and Dad's just switched to them in his 110.

R380 - Fuchs TITAN SINTOFLUID SAE 75W-80
Everything else - Fuchs TITAN SINTOPOID SAE 75W-90

We are both very happy, definitely improved shift quality on the gearbox.

Opie supply them both, that's where I've had it from.

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

27th Apr 2015 12:29pm

Dobby

Member Since: 23 May 2012
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 187

Used Dexron 3 in a few R380s without a problem. Very smooth. Something someone said dealerships were doing, on the JD+S facebook page this week too.

27th Apr 2015 12:34pm

ibexman

Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2945

I use redline from opie

27th Apr 2015 2:20pm

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

Thanks for the feedback.

I have read quite a few old posts on here via a search... on in which you commented on Martin, however the main reason why I added this one is due to the warnings (possibly newly found) with the corrosive issues regarding the API-GL5 instead of the GL4.

I had the TITAN SINTOFLUID SAE 75W-80 in the trolley on OPIE until I found it was GL5... also interesting that you haven't had any issues. Is yours a Puma martin? "Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

27th Apr 2015 3:16pm

StephenO

Member Since: 03 Dec 2010
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 246

Ive been using Dexron 3 for the last 3 years with no issues however since I bought my D90 it's had a gearbox issue, whining in 5th gear so decided to go to Ashcroft for an exchange unit, they recommended MTF94 so went straight to LR for it, didn't want to compromise for the sake of a few quid on a new box.

2007 Defender Puma Tonga Green

2015 Range Rover Sport Autobiography Corrie Grey
1968 Series 2a Bronze Green
1995 Defender 90 Coniston Green
2005 Discovery 3 Zambezi Silver

27th Apr 2015 7:49pm

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

Hmm, few using Dextron 3 out there then. Bit odd with it being ATF fluid but if it works, it works.

Interesting if some dealerships are reverting to it.

I was mainly wondering if there was a GL4 oil that could surpass the old formula of MTF94. TBH, It's looking like MTF94 for the R380 to play it safe for now. It's not expensive at £9 a litre from my local autostore.

As for the Transfer box and axles, TITAN SINTOPOID SAE 75W-90 is looking more likely. Read on some old posts that the Difflock Evolution 2 are equivalent for a lot less £.

Maybe to play it uber safe in relation to LT230 internals, if you guys are running 75w90 in yours without issue I could get a larger order of the GL4 Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 Fully Synthetic MTF which I believe is equivalent to EP90?

Click image to enlarge "Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

27th Apr 2015 8:27pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605

Yorkshire90 wrote:
Is yours a Puma martin?

I'm using Sintofluid in the soft top, Td5 with R380

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

28th Apr 2015 10:18am

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

Nice choice of truck

Yeah, sounds once again 'interesting'

I have read that a lot of the oil producers have modified the GL5 oil so that it isn't corrosive but that stigma is still there... stigma or fact is yest to be proved I guess. "Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

28th Apr 2015 11:36am

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

Also, isn't there a type of oil that creates a gas that can blow seals out? "Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

28th Apr 2015 11:37am

silky16v

Member Since: 11 Aug 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 99

2001 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Blenheim Silver

i do hope that no one is running 75W-90 in there R380 as this weight of oil is far to heavy for the gearbox!!!

I personally use Millers MTF94 which also happens to be this stuff http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60215-millers-...0w-40.aspx

i use any fully synthetic 75w-90 for the diff and transfer box

29th Apr 2015 1:06pm

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

So if I get the Texaco MTF94 for the R380 gearbox

Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90 Fully Synthetic MTF for the LT230 Transfer box and Axles that's cushty?

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-739-castrol-sy...5w-85.aspx

29th Apr 2015 1:27pm

Yorkshire90

Member Since: 22 Sep 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 193

Works out at £9.81 per L - DEF2 10% discount on Opie. Usually £11.95 per L. for the Castrol. "Big green" 2000 Td5 90 IRB Developments modified (2004-2011)

Discovery 3 TDv6 GS Auto 2011-2012 *Missed the Defender too much*

IRB Developments rebuild: Project Ice cube 2012-......

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11056.html

29th Apr 2015 1:47pm

nickhodgson

Member Since: 08 Dec 2009
Location: Zambia
Posts: 174

I have used many different oils in lots of different R380 gear boxes. All GL4 spec as applicable (not the ATF?). Including genuine MTF94 in land rover containers, MTF94 from somewhere else, Castrol Products, ATF Dexron IIA and III.

My opinion is that the gear selection part of the gearbox is more sensitive than the bearings. Many of the good quality oils I have used have given me poor gear changes especially when cold. ATF seems to give me the best gear changes and does not seem to damage the bearings or reduce the life of the gearbox. I usually use a Fuchs ATF Dextron III.

I have only (so far) had one R380 fail on me and it was in my very heavy 130 with a 300tdi and VNT and upped fuelling after some one who likes to cruise in 5th borrowed the car!! The box was then noisy in 5th so I changed it for an Ashcroft recon but have not opened the box yet. It had done about 200k kms at the time.

Regards
Nick 1995 300tdi Defender 90 P/UP
2011 Puma Defender 130 D/C
2000 300tdi Defender 110 P/UP
2015 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE

30th Apr 2015 8:04am

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