Getrag 260 Fluid and Differential Fluid question?

[olegd88]

Hey guys,

I need to replace the driveshaft seal on the transmission and I am trying to figure out what transmission fluid to purchase. I was going to order it from BMW, however they keep telling me I am supposed to have a sticker on the transmission that will tell them something. There is nothing there but a vin # sticker which they say doesn't help.

The car is a 1990 and was originally converted from an Auto to a manual, according to the vin # the manual transmission came from a 1990 as well.

AllData states that if there is "No Label" than it is GL4 fluid for the transmission.

Also, I need to replace a seal on the differential and the previous owner told me he filled the rear differential "with the newer, expensive M3 differential fluid". After some research it seems it is the SAF-XJ, however there is also the SAF-XJ-FM .. and I am not sure which to purchase.

He said he changed the fluid to this one after the diff started making some noise. Ive heard the noise myself a few times, very annoying metal on metal sound, thought it was the brakes at first. It only happened a few times and only for very short periods of time.

So, which fluid should I purchase?

[stamar]

If there is no sticker

you need gl4 redline mt or mt 90. for the no sticker it should have mt, for the green sticker mt90. But mt 90 works on all of the stickers.
royal purple synchromesh is what some people use.

you wont find gl4 fluid very often in a auto parts store. DONT USE GL5.

for the differential use gl5. If you havee lsd then make sure it has lsd additive.

[olegd88]

Hmm.. is there a reason not to use GL5 ? I think I filled it up with some GL5 already as it was almost empty, just to get me by for a few days. They told me it is compatible.

If I was to purchase these from BMW, which fluids would it be? .. Or is it pointless to purchase from BMW? I just don't want to wait for it to be delivered if I order online.

[olegd88]

Also, I am pretty sure the diff is a limited slip.

[SpecM]

Redline MTL in the tranny, Redline MT90 in the diff

GL5 uses sulfer as a lubricant, and sulfer will corrode the brass in old-style syncros. Redline MTL is a high quality synthetic GL4 and very synco-friendly

[hooken m]

redline 75w90 seems fine to be. go to pepboys/autozone. prob costs about $10/bottle ~$1-2

[olegd88]

Is it same to assume that if I drain the current fluid and refill with the proper one it will be okay?.. or it necessary to somehow wash it inside now?

[hooken m]

thats whats everyone normally does. if you really want you can open it up and clean it out

[olegd88]

Thanks for the help guys.. so I am thinking to go with either this:

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-50304...ds=redline+mtl

or http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-50204...ds=redline+mtl

I am not sure what the difference is, I didn't see any other one that just said "MT"

.... as far as the differential, I am still not sure what fluid to use since it did get noisy a few times I don't want the problem to get worse. I did double check the vin and it definitely has the limited slip. What are your suggestions?

[FLG]

I've used red line mtl but seems to lose its smoothness after awhile..maybe its just me but I'm going to switch to amsoil synthetic syncromesh probably tonight or tomorrow if you want to wait a bit and I'll let you know if there's a difference.

As for the diff I threw in some std fluid with a bottle of LSD additive. No issues and I beat on her quite a bit.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[jlevie]

Redline MTL will work just fine in any Getrag transmission. If the car has a limited slip use Redline 75w90 (which includes friction modifiers). You can use that or Redline 75w90NS in an open differential.

[stamar]

your first link is mt 90

thats where I got mine too

its multi grade a little thicker than perfect. Yet it also works fine depending on your temperature

the 2nd one is thinner, regular mtl. It is most perfect for a getrag 260 with no tag.


BUT if you actually have a GREEN tag( more for the newest e30s) you want MT 90, and mt 90 works with both.


Do you follow what I said? Ive said it twice. mt 90 is the best thing to use if youre not sure about your tag. mtl is best to use if youre sure you dont have a tag.

racers with the no tag transmission sometimes use the mt90 in hot climates. If you are in a cold climate use regular mtl.



As far as the Gl5, I do believe modern gl5 fluid is often made with less sulfur than the old days and not so harmful as the old days, so I wouldnt be in a state of fear about it. But especially if you have no tag or green tag, you have brass synchros that sulfur eats away. empty it out and fill up with the good stuff and it will likely get rid of the residue of the bad stuff.


for my lsd I actually used mobil 1 80-140w however I would use 75-90w redline I overdid it.

[olegd88]

Thanks for the detailed replies guys. I appreciate it. Ordered MTL and 75w90 from amazon. I assume 2 quarts of each will be enough?

[FLG]

Just switched from mtl to amsoil syncromesh and the amsoil is smoother. The mtl was good but i find the amsoil to be better.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[stamar]

I think the diffrential takes 3 and the trans takes less than 2 by memory.