5600 lube (What do you run?)

[jtisdale]

I am getting ready to change the transmission lube, and I would like ideas on what you guys are running. I have heard of one brand in particular that has helped smooth out the notchiness of shifting. I tow occasionally, but I dont run any coolers or a guage.

I dont want to start a brand war, I just want some ideas. Thanks

 

[LSMITH]

Just coat the gears with Pam spray before putting the cover on and filling with equal parts Jim Beam, Rotella, STP, and bug guts:-laf :-laf :-laf :-laf



Really I have no idea, but it was an opportunity... ...

 

[Riflesmith]

50,000 miles using Amsoil 5W-30 HDD. Shifts great under all conditions. It has worked very well for me.

 

[monkfarm]

amsoil 5-30 series 3000

I recently switched to the series 3000 5-30 amsoil, it seems to shift real good, and moves around excellent in cold weather (up to -15)

 

[CumminsPower98]

I will use Amsoil Series 3000 5w30 HDD once I get my 6-speed back from Standard Transmission. Hope they don't break my credit card!! My cousin and uncle are also using this same oil and working fine so far. Mark

 

[Texas Diesel]

I had two 5600's die due to shifting problems some of which may be lube failure. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=2213&width=2



Presently I am using Royal Purple SynchroMax. It is a manual transmission oil that is 100% synthetic and safe for soft metal (synchronizers).

I am extremely pleased with it. You can order it through JCWhitney for approx $7 / quart.



Disclaimer: I dont sell RP products or make a penny if you buy them.

 

[Dane]

Well I WAS running the factory stuff till LSMITH gave me that secret formula

 

[dresslered]

Dane, let me know when you are going to order another drum of the factory stuff!

 

[mikel]

I'm running the RP SynchroMax and have been for a little over 10k. So far I have no complaints, when I change it in about 20k I'll get a sample and if there aren't any abnormalities I'll keep using it. It was easily avaliable locally and cost about $7 or $8 a qt.



Mike

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I drained and ultimately refilled with the standard stuff strongly recommended and specified by both NV and DC - after an unsuccessful attempt to switch to another synthetic.



UNLESS you have STRONG reason to want to switch AWAY from the stuff New Venture and DC specify for use in these trannies, be VERY careful you don't simply trade ONE problem for another, less immediately obvious, NEW one...



Shucks, there's LOTS of folks out there wanting you to switch to THEIR stuff, and you might even be able to use Crisco or Wesson oil successfully... .



For a little while... .

 

[Texas Diesel]

Gary, what do you think of the pictures I took of the OEM stuff with 25k miles?





I'm still searching for the answer to what brand of crisco to run in there...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Gary, what do you think of the pictures I took of the OEM stuff with 25k miles? "



I really think yours was un unusual, untypical case... IF we saw MANY cases like that, we'd have cause for concern - but one tree doesn't make a forest... The lube in my own truck, admittedly changed at far fewer miles looked great - hardly ANY visual signs of brass or other contaminents - but *my* "one tree" doesn't make a forest, either - so all I can do is wait and see, and read of other folks experience. The real pity in these lube discussions, is the lack of anything but random and anecdotal experience - one guy uses and swears by brand "A" - but only drives his truck for several years, and maybe 100,000 miles or so - was the lube REALLY "better" than any of the others? After all, these trannies SHOULD last as long as the engines if serviced properly and treated right - so what can we REALLY learn in only several years and 100,000 miles of random use?



*I* really think that if ANY of us just used a good name-brand of oil within the specs outlined by Cummins, DC, Dana or NV, changed it as recommended and treated our trucks decently, precious FEW of us would be very likely to do any better with any substitute lube, no matter HOW much we paid for it, or how often we changed it...

 

[jtisdale]

Thanks anyways Howard, but I'll pass on the secret formula.

The crisco isnt a bad idea either, except for the fact it is a shortning, and I dont want my transmission to shrink.

I think I'll just get the factory replacement, and try that this time around. Thanks again.

 

[monkfarm]

GARY

GARY, What do you mean (unsucessfull attempts to use synthetic oil)??? I wish you wouldn't keep that a secret. Or are we supposed to follow your other threads in an attempt to follow this vague unspecified logic? (Not trying to be scathing, sarcastic, mean, or otherwise combative, just trying to understand what you are talking about. )



When I had my 5 spd. , I drained my sythetic out in order to put the expensive OEM stuff in, which I ultimately thought was stupid of me ()sort of me too ish), The amsoil I had in there was working just fine (which I don't sell incidently, just keep a commercial account).

I had whatever OEM stuff in this 6 speed which kept overheating at 80 miles/hr, which I didn't go for, drained it out, and put the amsoil in. :-{} Oo.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

I really think yours was un unusual, untypical case... IF we saw MANY cases like that, we'd have cause for concern - but one tree doesn't make a forest...

I dont know how unusual it is, I just drained the OEM fill and that is what came out

 

[Diesel Freak]

RedLine MTL here.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"GARY, What do you mean (unsucessfull attempts to use synthetic oil)??? I wish you wouldn't keep that a secret. "



Sorry - no big deal really - I tried to switch to Amsoil 75w/140, since I frequently pull a 5th wheel trailer in Sierra grades - but had problems with poor shifting IMMEDIATELY after the switch that was NOT there with the factory stuff. The Amsoil seemed marked properly for transmission use - at least as much so as ANY of the Amsoil stuff currently used in the 6-speed manuals (NONE of the Amsoil stuff is marked as meeting DC or NV spec for these trannies).



SO, I avoided further complications by draining it out, and refilling with the approved DC spec stuff - and proper shifting immediately returned - draw your own conclusions...



TD asks:



"I dont know how unusual it is, I just drained the OEM fill and that is what came out "



Sorry - maybe I'm confused or misunderstood what you were referring to, or asking - as I recall, some time back you made a post showing pictures of some of the residue in the bottom of your transmission that included some jelly-like material - and what APPEARED to be quite a few rather large brass particles?



I think it's the same picture you have posted a pointer to up above - and I seriously doubt there are a high percentage of NV-5600's out there that look like that at 25,000 miles with the stock lube - if there WERE, I'm sure we would be hearing LOTS of moaning and wailing from distressed buyers!



I don't think your problem was particularly lube related - but a result of poor manufacturing QC - and your failure would probably have occurred no matter WHAT lube was in there at the time. The best lube in the world won't make up for poor machining, design or assembly!



I really don't know - but it's easy to see and understand that IF a buyer DID manage to receive 2 bad trannies in a row that were the result of defects or poor QC - and THEN on the 3rd, immediately began use of a different lube and the transmission so far was operating well, he would be VERY convinced it was the LUBE that made the difference - whether it really did or not... Either way - I hope you have continued success with #3!



If that wasn't what your were asking about, guess you'll hafta be more specific as to your original question...

 

[Sled Puller]

Just for the record, for the new guys, Amsoil DOES NOT recommend their 140 gear oil for the New Venture 5600 6 speed.



They recommend their Series 3000 5W-30 Diesel Engine oil, and have since the 6 speed came out.

 

[cjohnson]

Redline MTL for me as well. It is fully synthetic and is specifically designed for manual gearboxes. Safe on all the metals and good for synchros. Seems to work comparable to the factory stuff and readily available. I think it was around $8 a quart. it you go on to Redline's website, they give some interesting info as to why manual trans boxes need oil designed specifically for that purpose. Take it for what its worth but it is interesting reading.



I'm happy.



Craig

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Just for the record, for the new guys, Amsoil DOES NOT recommend their 140 gear oil for the New Venture 5600 6 speed.



They recommend their Series 3000 5W-30 Diesel Engine oil, and have since the 6 speed came out. "



(SIGH!)



We constantly keep returning to the same old circular argument, don't we!



First off, I screwed up in my previous post as to weight grade, the stuff I used was NOT the Amsoil 75/140 - THAT was what I tried unsuccessfully in my LS differential - another story... I tried the Amsoil lighter weight grade lube in my transmission - sorry for the confusion (mine!)...





THAT said,



1. Owners are absolutely free to pour WHATEVER suits them into the various cavities of their vehicles - and frequently DO - just as *I* did when I tried the non-spec Amsoil in MY transmission! My choice - the WRONG choice, and I paid for it - no excuses!



2. Amsoil - and similar lube merchants can "recommend" whatever THEY feel they have that most closely matches what a manufacturers spec REALLY calls for - in THIS case, DC and NV call for spec MS-9224. Does Amsoil 5-30 MEET that spec? ABSOLUTELY NOT - at least they make NO such claim on their labeling! IF anyone can show me WHERE Amsoil DOES claim their 5/30 motor oil meets DC/NV spec MS-9224, you now have the floor!



I dunno about others, but *I* am not at all as interested in what a seller has that they feel "will work" or "comes close" as I am in what they have that will not only "work", but ALSO meets manufacturer specs! I mean, after all - if the stuff that will merely "work" COSTS the same as the stuff that not only WORKS, but ALSO meets spec - why "settle" for something potentially LESS than what's called for?



Still wanna pour 5/30 *MOTOR* oil in yer transmission? Have at it - it's YOUR transmission, and if it makes ya happy. well... .



ME, unless I am presented overwhelming reason and documentation supporting NOT using what DC and NV clearly specify, I'll just stick with the stock stuff that seems to be working quite well for ME...



YMMV - and usually DOES!