Changed The Gear Oil, Now Have Problems :(

[Gypsyangel]

Specs: 2001 5 spd manual VW TDI Beetle with 151,000 miles "Durpie"

So, I changed out my gear oil this past weekend. I used 75w90 full synthetic Mobil 1 Gear Lubricant with a GL rating of 5.This:

Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90

It took 2 full quarts and none overflowed.I'd have put more,but that's all it called for. Now my car sometimes doesn't want to go into 4th gear. It goes, but it doesn't feel like it seats all the way. Almost like something didn't line up quite right. After it warms up a bit it shifts fine. Plus, all other gears shift fine.

If this were my motorcycle,I'd say it feels like the clutch plates are sticking together, but I know this doesn't apply the same to cars. But that's the best way I can describe it.

Did I fubar and put the wrong stuff in or is this just some strange coincidence? Should I drain out the Mobil 1 and put something else in? I was trying to help preserve my Durpie,but he ain't happy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BlueLghtning]

Just for reference, it first did it to me when were driving it soon after changing the fluid. We weren't in a hurry and I was just driving it easy and shifting pretty low in the rev range.

As I was shifting to 4th, it felt like I hit a "soft" resistance spot and it just wouldn't engage. No grinding or anything, just felt like it wouldn't actually go into the 4th gear slot. I tried a few times and it wouldn't go into 4th. I went back to 3rd, and it went right in, then shifted to 4th again and that time it worked fine. I sort of chalked it up to me just shifting "lazy" and maybe not lining up the shift right. We went to dinner and then home and it shifted fine without another hiccup.

But then Sarah said it started doing it to her on her way to and from work? We probably haven't even put 50 miles on it since the gear oil change, so this baffles me?

The old lube that came out actually looked pretty good, but we had no reference of when it had been changed and wanted to be on the safe side.

[Smileybug]

Not sure if these transmissions are like the older VW transmissions, but my mechanic said that these take GL4 oil. I know the older transmissions could not take GL5, as it would not react well with the metal inside the trans.

[DZLBUG]

The trans requires GL4. GL5 is bad...mmmkay?

Also it takes 2 LITERS of fluid, which is more than two quarts. You need to fill it until the fluid comes out of the fill hole.

Get that GL5 crap out of there and put in the right stuff, and fill it full this time.

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[BlueLghtning]

Grrrr

Well this DIY (“How to” Change your Manual Transmission Fluid/Oil) needs to be updated or yanked because it says both 2qts and GL5 in it which is what Sarah went by. That's disappointing for a DIY thread with bad info in it and no one made a point to say that. I asked her if she was sure it was GL-5 and she's usually good about researching that stuff.

We won't be driving it any more and dumping the fluid right away.

[BlueLghtning]

Man, there is so much conflicting info. That DIY thread I listed specifically listed not using MT-90 yet, its mentioned in another thread as an option and ECSTunning sells it for the TDI manual transmissions???

DZLBug, I found another thread where you mention Redline MTL - manual tranny fluid change
Later in that same thread, I see MT-90 mentioned which appears to be a 75-90w GL-4 fluid.

ECS Tunning sells both MTL & MT-90 for the TDI
- Volkswagen New Beetle TDI > Drivetrain > Transmission > ES#1503 Redline MT-90 Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart - RL MT90
- Volkswagen New Beetle TDI > Drivetrain > Transmission > ES#1502 Redline MTL Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart - RL MTL

So what's the consensus here? MTL or MT-90 or is there something else that's better? Is the redline VW approved stuff? We are in GA its pretty hot during the summer and barely below freezing in the winter time.

[DZLBUG]

Just goes to show you cant believe everything you read on the internets. Lots of bad info out there. Best bet is to verify your sources or consult a service manual.

VW specifically states 75w-90 GL4. Redline (and many others) will work just fine. Given your climate, MT-90 would be a good choice. MTL is better in cold climates because it doesnt turn to peanut butter in the winter. But MTL would work just fine as well.

Good luck!


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[Noobbeetle]

Just curious. I have put Redline 75w90 in which is GL4. I have also used Royal Purple 75w90 which is GL4 & GL5 (same bottle). I guess it's ok if it is both GL4 and 5? Maybe all GL4 is GL5....like it's a progressive scale???

[BlueLghtning]

Just an update on ours.

We were headed out of town last Fri-Mon, and between being short on time and not being able to find the redline stuff near our house, we opted to just drop it off at Roger Feldts place who had done the timing belt on our silver one. He had some of the redline coming in and he could scan our Airbag light while he was at it.

Up to that point, we had only had about 50 miles on it since the fluid change. I drove it the 50+ miles over to his place and it drove fine. Doesn't seem to quite shift like it should, but I never missed any gears or kept me from getting into any gears. I'll feel better just having the GL-4 stuff in there.

We pick it up tomorrow.

[Noobbeetle]

I don't know if my description was clear. So let me try to write this again. The Royal Purple gear oil, unlike the other gear oils at the store, says GL4 & GL5 on back of the bottle. Meaning it's both. The other brands were only GL5, since Redline is not carried in my parts stores. But the $19.99/qt R.P. is both types combined. Clear as mud. LOL

[Smileybug]

I know on our Mk1, it requires GL4. Our mechanic, plus others on forums said that even a GL4/GL5 fluid was not good for the trans. GL4 only. I imagine its the same for these transmissions. It all has to do with the metal the trans is made of and how the chemicals in these fluids interact with them.

DZLBUG- Just as an FYI, the Bentley does not say GL4 or GL5. Which is why I had to post on here to get the answer. I didn't check my owners manual...might say in there. But I know the Bentley doesn't say. It gives the weight, but not GL4 or GL5.

[Noobbeetle]

I'll probably run the Royal Purple for a while since it's in there and I am now 4qts of RP and 2qts of redline, plus a clutch kit installation ($1500), and a car dolly rental...into this whole thing so far. I figure the right side oil seal can't be too far behind its brother in life expectancy, so I will get some Redline and patiently wait its demise. Then drain and refill, and use my recently acquired skills.

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by Noobbeetle

Just curious. I have put Redline 75w90 in which is GL4. I have also used Royal Purple 75w90 which is GL4 & GL5 (same bottle). I guess it's ok if it is both GL4 and 5? Maybe all GL4 is GL5....like it's a progressive scale???

No. GL4/GL5 has the same GL5 additives that cause a problem with the brass syncros. GL4 only.


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[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

DZLBUG- Just as an FYI, the Bentley does not say GL4 or GL5. Which is why I had to post on here to get the answer. I didn't check my owners manual...might say in there. But I know the Bentley doesn't say. It gives the weight, but not GL4 or GL5.

My Bentley specs GL4 75w90. What version do you have?



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[Smileybug]

Probably one of the earlier ones...only covers '98 to 2002 models.