General What gearbox oil

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General What gearbox oil

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Hi, what type of oil should I use for my Stilo JTD? In manual it says Tutela ZC Synth, on Selenia website is Tutela Technix and I read on alfa forum, that both are compatible with Selenia Matryx, which should be "the best". All of them costs +/- the same.
What should I buy?
 
Well, ZC Synth is GL-5 so... Also few people told me it's not just about viscosity and GL rating. So I will wait for answer from somebody, who actually knows what he's talking about, thanks.
 
If the JTD can take a GL5, then you ought to stick a GL5 in there.

I've used Motul Motylgear 75W80 in mine in the past, which Motul refers to as a "GL4/5" ... which is unhelpful given the info' in Jim's post.

It's not as smooth as whatever was in there before but then I think my clutch or flywheel is probably on the slippery road to Boot Hill, so it might not be the oil's fault.

When I swapped a driveshaft I topped it up with some Comma SX75W90 which is GL5. Comma doesn't do a 75W80 in GL5 flavour... and it feels/acts the same as before. It was a quite substantial top-up of the Motul, but not a complete replacement.

If it's winter where you are, and it's -0C or colder, use a 75W80. If you can only find GL4, then GL4 is better than no oil at all... you won't be beating up the gearbox too much in the winter months... but change it to 75W80 GL5 as soon as the weather improves.

As far as I know, there's not many gearboxes that use bronze or copper in them.. probably the older the car, the more likely you are to find it. Renault boxes used it a lot (hence Total still makes a GL4 in this spec') and I know for sure my old Alfa 145 gearbox had bronze selector forks... so don't stick the GL5 in just anything, without checking first.

Ralf S.
 
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Ralf, I think we were having a discussion on this topic a while ago and the situation still seems very confusing. While there is a big difference in terms of additives between a GL4 and a GL5 oil there is disagreement on their applications. I am puzzled as to why Total recommend GL4 oil for all current PSA gearboxes, whereas Fiat, for some models at least, recommend GL5. Are PSA and Fiat boxes so different?
Looking at the Dutch website I referenced earlier they are specifying a GL4 oil for the Stilo 1.9JTD gearbox, which is contrary to the Fiat handbook.
In view of these contradictory recommendations I think it would be safer to stick to a GL4 oil. It would be adequate for the job and could do no harm to the internals.
 
I'm not up to speed on the latest Renault boxes but the decade-old models at least don't like GL5. I can only imagine that those boxes have a lot of bronze or copper in them, which the GL5 additives can attack... or, there was only GL4 around back then and those gearboxes have never been through a certification/test program.

I remember it was a complete pain in the 'arris to find the right spec' gear oil for my sister's Megane.. only Total (and Renault's own brand £££ ) fitted the spec'.


Ralf S.
 
I asked the same question on "oil" forum and they said there is not much diffenece between ZC Synth (GL-5) and Technyx (GL-4 plus). But GL-4 is no no for this gearbox. Basicaly the oil needs to meet the Fiat norm.
Anyway they recomended me to buy whatever owners book said, so I ordered ZC Synth.
I will tell you more in few weeks after I replace it.
 
For all gear oils there are only two API ratings - GL4 and GL5. And every oil has to fit in one. So there is very thin line between GL5 ZC synth and GL4 Technyx.
But it does not mean every GL4 (or 5) oil is suitable for this (or any) gearbox.

So best thing to do is buy whatever manufacturer says I guess.
Tutela costs here about 9€/litre, while Total is for 7€. I don't think it's worth saving 4 euros.
 
Tommorow I want to change the gerbox oil and fluid in clutch cylinder. I have found some tutorials, but I don't know where is the master cylinder. On top, or bottom? Any ideas? (steering wheel on the left side)

Thanks
 
I don't know where is the master cylinder. On top, or bottom? Any ideas? (steering wheel on the left side)

Thanks

The clutch master cylinder is on the driver's side. It's supplied with fluid from the reservoir on top brake master cylinder via a black rubber pipe. If you follow that pipe down from the reservoir, you will find the clutch master cylinder.

It's designed that way as a safety feature. If ever there is a fluid leak from the brakes or clutch, the clutch will stop working before the brakes stop working.
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So I changed the oil and now the car shifts much better. I filled about 1.8l inside. Somebody told me I should put whole 2l inside, but I think it is too much.
Whole change cost me about 20€ and 30 minutes of my time. I recommend it to everybody if you don't know when your oil was changed last time (if ever)
 
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