Millers Gear oil: Fully Synthetic or High Synthetic?

[suddy]

Fancy having a go at this stuff instead of the volvo original:
http://www.a1autocraze.co.uk/catalogue/ ... r_Oil.html

Is this stuff any good?

There are two sorts, 'high synthetic' and fully synthetic, which is the right one?

[suddy]

Why has this post been moved?

It's been put under Technical Support from General Discussions? I don't need technical support - I need advice. Why not scrap the 'General Discussions' section alltogether? Is there any point having it, as everything within could easily be sub-classified even further and moved!
Why hasn't my Central Locking thread been moved to the electrical section for example?

How many more nails can you put in this forums coffin?

Rant over.

Stephen

[Big Brother]

The general discussion is for general discussion not asking for technical advice like this, that is why it has been moved, it like asking what grade oil should I use for a service, it’s a technical question. Your central locking thread is a statement of what you have done, not asking for support that’s why it has stayed.

If you disagree with the moderation policy contact Daniel or Gaz.

[JohnTurbo]

Suddy, i'm constantly ranting about this stuff, as per:-

http://volvo480.dragons.org.uk/forum/vi ... ht=millers

My original inspiration is however:-

http://volvo480.dragons.org.uk/forum/vi ... illers+trx

Just to recap, Castrol do not make a suitable product, so its likely that most gearoil isn't suitable. Theres very likely other oils that are suitable, but the trx, i can vouch, is very good. Definately improved my gearbox.

I ordered mine online, but i forget from where.
Might have been an ebay job.

"hi-synthetic", to answer your question, is quite sufficient!

[owen080808]

it like asking what grade oil should I use for a service, it’s a technical question.

he didn't ask, there are two types, of which he is well aware so its a discussion of which is better?


back on topic i fancy trying this too, as i think i may have a gear oil leak, its a shame the price is so high!

[suddy]

Local place has some fully synthetic TRX in stock..

Will fully synthetic go in?

[suddy]

Will fully synthetic go in?

Well it's gone in on Millers' advice. Gearchanges are smoother, don't know if it's better performance, but not really bothered about that anyway.

[jgtynan]

I've used the TRX in my 480 and can say it made a great improvenent to cold gear selection. And it seems quieter . Done a fair few miles on it now 8-10k and no problems with rotting parts, and mine is the later type box . Well worth the money.

[JohnTurbo]

I've used the TRX in my 480 and can say it made a great improvenent to cold gear selection. And it seems quieter . Done a fair few miles on it now 8-10k and no problems with rotting parts, and mine is the later type box . Well worth the money.

Thats the main thing i noticed.

[heavend]

After many hours researching this, I have found the following:
1. Synthetic oils are better at transmitting heat than mineral oil, so a box filled with synthetic oil will run cooler. This is an advantage for any g/box.
2. Any oil containing sulphur compounds causes damage to copper and copper based alloys (e.g. bronze) when the oil gets too hot, because the sulphur compounds dissociate and become sulphuric acid. This is NOT a problem unless your 'box has bronze parts. 480 manual boxes after 1989 have bronze parts.
3. Synthetic oil that is sulphur free is what is really required, but is harder to come by and more expensive than mineral oil. Millers, Amsoil and Volvo do have a suitable oil. Elf, Valvoline, Mobil and Castrol do not (at the time of writing - this info direct from their websites or suppliers themselves).
If anyone can add to the list of sulphur free synthetic oil suppliers, please add to this forum.

[buddax]

I work in a Volvo/Ranault shop, and we only Elf oils for gearboxes. So my advice is go with Elf, and find the type that meets the requirements for the gearbox.

[heavend]

That's just the problem. Neither Elf (from their website contact) or workshops that use Elf oils could name a suitable oil from their range. When I discussed the matter of bronze parts, an old guy (70) who owns one such garage says that he uses Amsoil in the vintage cars that he restores that have bronze parts in their 'boxes. After seeing what happens to 'boxes that dissolve, I'm using only Volvo oil.

[Ettore Bugatti]

The wonder oil is:
TransElf TRX 75/80W

[JohnTurbo]

Millers TRX.....and Elf TRX....that has to be more than a coincidence?

[Derek]

that's the same bottel of gear oil i have elf TRX. it's the same oil they put in reault truck gearbox'es

[heavend]

Thanks for naming the wonder oil. It's a pity my first attempt to find the Elf product ended when I struck a few numb-nuts who obviously don't know their product. Since found this website, and one grade (not the TRX) is specifically listed as bronze safe and Renault approved.

I've got a Mitsubishi GTO and a Pontiac GTO. Same three letters, must be the same car...

[heavend]

oops. forgot to put down the website with the data sheets for Elf oils.

http://www.eliteoil.co.uk/Products/Elf_ ... arbox.html

[Ettore Bugatti]

Datasheet TransELF TRX:
http://www.lubadmin.com/upload/produit/ ... 1/1076.pdf

[aibast]

just but in a regular right marking gearbox oil and it work great. No need for a Volvo original

[heavend]

....but the TRX datasheet DOES NOT state that it is bronze safe, although it may well be...However, the TRT and TRP grades clearly state that they are safe to use in gearboxes with bronze sync. rings and are API-GL5 to boot. So I think that brings to 5 the choices of bronze safe oils - Volvo, Millers TRX, Elf TRT/TRP and the Amsoil one. No excuses for dissolving your gearbox now!

Please don't say "but I use XXX oil in my Renault truck" etc because this forum is about Volvo 480s fitted with a Renault M50 series manual gearbox. A very specific subject. Any discussion on other oils just creates confusion.