Transmission Fluid, What Type

[Zippy]

Okay this may be pretty technical. The PO told me I should use a specific type of oil in the tranny. At 59 my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. I could have sworn he said to use a non GL fluid as the GL is corrosive to the brass in our syncros. Does anyone have a clue about this?

Thanks

Al

[rlux4]

Al, I don't know how you did it, but you've come up with a question that's never been addressed here!
NOT!
There's books of pages on the correct tranny lube, and opinions about synthetics that will work.
The correct lube is GL rated all right: GL1. GL1 is pure mineral oil, the higher that GL rating, the more additives there are, some of which are corrosive to brass (called soft yellow metal in the lit) and damaging to the tranny.
GL1 is hard to find, NAPA either has it in stock, or can order it. I forget the part number, but it can be found with a search.
I tried a synthetic that was GL1 rated, and my tranny disintegrated a few weeks later. It was not in good shape anyway, so it could have been coincidence, but I now use only GL1, just to play it safe.
Ron

[ga.spyder]

Hey Al.
One of our vendors Vick Autosports sells the correct GL-1 by the quart.You need 2 quarts to do a fluid change.You will get all kinds of responses on different concoctions,and some are likely fine.However,I did a costly tranny rebuild that was a direct result of something the po used in the tranny.I will stick with the factory reccomended GL-1...
Craig

[Zippy]

I had a leak in my tranny about 18 months ago. Turned out the plug in front of the shift mechanism popped out. I looked around in the garage and found the tranny fluid I used was Redline MT-90. it says it is meets all requiremennts for GL-1, GL-3 and GL-4. It is also a synthetic. It says it is not GL-5 which is corrosive to syncros.

Should I replace it.

[So Cal Mark]

no

[jfrawley]

NAPA indeed does sell it by the gallon. I bought a gallon this weekend to change mine. SAE 90, Mineral Gear Oil, APL GL-1. Part # 65-201. The store near me happened to have a gallon, but, if yours doesn't, they can order it.

And here's a tip for those who have a hard time filling the trans like I did. Powerbuilt has what they call a "Fluid Transfer Pump". I found one at Pep Boys for $7.95 and does it make it easy. The pump screws right into the top of the gallon jug, the end of the hose goes into the trans, and you just pump away.

Hope this helps.

[fiatfreak]

Okay this may be pretty technical. The PO told me I should use a specific type of oil in the tranny. At 59 my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. I could have sworn he said to use a non GL fluid as the GL is corrosive to the brass in our syncros. Does anyone have a clue about this?l

I use Redline MTL in all my Fiats and Lancias. MT90 is the same just higher viscosity.