Oils ain't oils, Sol
Submitted: Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 10:24
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Member - Jack
My vehicle is a 1991 Toyota Landcruiser diesel (non-turbo manual). I have been advised that Castrol VMX-M 85/95 oil works
well in the gearbox and also helps with cold changes. But I cannot find this oil on the shelves of my local auto parts place. Has it been discontinued, and is there a viable alternative? The vehicle has travelled 370,000 and still going strong. There is a lot of heat coming from the transmission and I am hoping that this oil may also assist it to run a little cooler.
I have not been able to find any worthwhile suggestions on the Castrol website.
Thanks in advance.
Jack
Reply By: get outmore - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 11:10
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 11:10
its not 85/95 cant remember exactly but more like 75/90
is that your issue? otherwise its easily available and I recently bought it at supercrap
AnswerID:
451975
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:06
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:06
Yes, thanks for that ... the 85/95 was the main issue. I saw the 75/90 but thought it may not be tough enough for my gearbox. It was at Supercheap that I saw it. Looks like a quick run into town again. Thanks for that. Have a good
Easter.
Jack
FollowupID:
724613
Reply By: patsproule - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 12:18
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 12:18
VMX-M is quite freely available and as indicated even supercheap carry it., but as suggested it only comes in the one grade. It was actually developed for Mitsubishi transmissions (thus the -M bit) but seems to work
well in the tojo boxes as
well. Dont confuse it with straight VMX though which does not have the additive pack.
Pat
AnswerID:
451980
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:10
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:10
Ah .. good advice. thanks Pat. I saw the other (VMX) and thought it may be what I needed. but the info I now have on VMX-M helps me. I was hung up on the grade, but 'getoutmore' tells me there is only one grade, so that is what I will get.
Very much appreciate your input as
well. Thanks.
Despite my occasional frustration with the moderators, there is no doubting this site for its helpful and informed people.
Enjoy your
Easter break!
Jack
FollowupID:
724614
Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 14:37
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 14:37
Hi Jack,
Have a read through
ThreadID: 85529
Might be of some help.
Cheers
AnswerID:
451991
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 20:43
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 20:43
There is some good stuff in that thread. Thanks. I especially like the magnet idea. My thoughts of a quiet
Easter have just gone down the gurgler now.
Cheers
Jack
FollowupID:
724674
Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 21:07
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 21:07
Hi Jack,
yeah, magnets, we've had them in our sump plugs and on our sumps for years, why not stick them on our filters?
Can't do any harm and really doesn't cost anything.
Have a safe one.
FollowupID:
724681
Reply By: Member - onemore - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 17:18
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 17:18
Jack,
Mate, have a look at thread 84771, where I asked the same question for my Dad and received some valuable information from the
forum members.
Please let me know if it works for you as my Dad isn't
well and won't let me near the vehicle but I will have to do something before I can sell it.
Cheers,
Mike
AnswerID:
452005
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 20:53
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 20:53
Hi Mike:
Yes, that was interesting to read too. I will give this VMX-M a run and let you know how it goes in
mine. I will post it as a new topic rather than trying to somehow link in with this thread.
I will be getting away for a few days after
Easter and towing a camper, so I will also let you know how it goes with the heat being generated.
Enjoy your
Easter break.
jack
FollowupID:
724677
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 16:30
Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 16:30
Hi Mike:
I can report that I have changed the oil and put in the VMX-M. Almost immediately I noticed it was smoother and easier to shift when cold. Once the gearbox had warmed (I went about 20km) it was noticeably smoother. I cannot report yet as to if it ran any cooler, and I need to do a longer trip to determine that. However, I may have to drive to
Sydney this week, so that should be a good
test for it.
Hope this info is useful to you.
Cheers
Jack
FollowupID:
725034
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 20:41
Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 20:41
Hi Mike:
I have just completed a trip of 700 km towing a Tvan including some pretty hilly country. The weather was cooler, but I can state that the gearbox on my 80 series is running cooler since putting in the VMX-M.
In the past I have often let the gearbox keep the cabin warm in winter, but this trip saw me reaching for the slider to warm it up a bit.
Although not definitive, I am now convinced.
Hope this is useful.
Cheers
Jack
FollowupID:
727109
Reply By: ken triton - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 19:16
Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 19:16
Hi Jack,
I have a 100 series and also thought the gearbox temp was a little high, I used
Mobil SHC Fully Synthetic 75W90 there was a noticeable drop in temp using this oil. Also a friend of
mine has a gearbox business and he says he will only use fully synthetic gear box oil for this reason, hope this helps
AnswerID:
452011
Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Friday, Apr 22, 2011 at 20:58
Friday, Apr 22, 2011 at 20:58
Thanks Ken. Will keep this in mind, but will give the VMX a run first.
Cheers.
Jack
FollowupID:
724789