Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gear Vendor Oil: what are you using?

[kscheffler]

I have been using the recommended oil for my Gear Vendor; it is the same oil that the Dodge recommends for the NV 4500 5 speed transmission; which is suppose to be synthetic. I am seeing "black dust" on my drain magnet which according to GV technical service is from the GV clutch. I was wondering if any of the Gear Vendor users on this site have tried any thing different than the recommended oil. Appartenly they don't want any gear oil rated hight than GL-4. By the way Dodge is now charging $22 per quart for the NV 4500 oil which I now understand is the same as Castrol Syntorque LT which I will be pricing next. I was just wondering if anyone has had success with after market synthetic gear oils in their GV's and how long they have been running "non-recommended" oil as identified by Gear Vendors?

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

For almost 8 years I have been using the lube recommended by Gear Vendors. I have to go to a GM dealer to get it. The engineers that designed the GV used a lot of GM parts. I phoned a few years ago and ask what synthetic was OK. They were adamant about using the GM oil recommended in their Manuel. Something about the reaction to some of the gliding metals used in the GV. This is old information. I would suggest you call them. They are nice people. My GV has over 100k and seems as good as new. A solenoid goes out once in a great while which is no problem to change. The standard 1" inch open end wrench is too thick so I went to Sears and got the biggest tappet wrench (7/8) and opened it up to almost one inch on my bench grinder. I was afraid I would go too far so I left a little to file off in my bench vice with a mill ******* file.

 

[Don Tanklage]

i run conventional 90 wt in my gv - right out of a 5 gal sta lube bucket - have for 30k



do run the special stuff in the 4500 tho...



don



oh, and i had to peen the pick up tube in the gv as the screen didnt stay in there very good from the factory. might want to check that on yours...

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Thanks Don; I have been tempted to run 90 weight synthetic as no doubt others do. However I don't like to push my luck.

 

[Don Tanklage]

its an auto transmission (designed for a volvo!)



not gonna last forever



that is how i look at it anyways...

 

[kscheffler]

Burchfield

GV did update the manuals and they now recommend the synthetic fluid made by Dodge and GM this is what I described in my first posting. The original fluid the recommended was a GM mineral oil is that what you have been using?

 

[Don Tanklage]

gv used to recommend ATF (20 yrs ago)



guess they figured out that stuff was a little thin...



when i purchased this last unit a few yrs ago they said to go with 90 wt gear oil



the sta lube that is in mine now is syn actually - i forgot about that in my orig post, sorry



but i have ran staight 90 wt before - hits too hard for me

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I guess that is what I am using. Whatever their Manual recommended 8 years ago.

 

[Mikie12]

I had mine installed last spring. GV had a sticker on the outer cover of the owner's manual that states: use either GM or Mopar synthetic gear lube (Mopar part#04874459) Mineral gear lube is OK, but results in a firmer shift in and out.

Hope that helps, M.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Thanks Mikie. It never occurred to me they would ever go to synthetic they were so adamant about not using it when I ask them in 98 or maybe 99. I will stop by my local Dodge Dealer and get some. I am soon due for a grease job so I will drain and fill my GV while under there. It might be due anyway. I have always thought synthetic was best. My 1990 Nissan has 215K on it and since 25K I have used synthetic in it. Changed oil every 25K (twenty-five thousand) It does not smoke, just leaks a little. I used it in my motorcycles and never had a problem. I saw a Gold-Wing traded in with 260K and the engine had never been touched for any repair. Mobile One 15w50. That is what I used in my Bikes too. I am using Mobile One 5w40 in my Ram (Damn Ram) now that it is available at Wall-Mart (in gallons too) It is my belief that we should use the oil that is best for the Turbo and everything else will be taken care of.

 

[Mikie12]

J; just be sitting down on their stool when they give you the total... I paid 22 something per Qt. for the 4459-OOOWWWEE.

But it's really cheap insurance compared to a rebuild, and I don't have to tell you how much the GV unit costs.

Also I'd like to mention that I'm using the Mopar diesel engine oil (15-40 CI-4+) and it's not bad stuff either. The parts guy at my dealer gives me a good price on it. I had the oil annalized (both used, and virgin) and it was at the top of the mineral oil crowd.

Stay away (way away) from the latest CJ-4 rated stuff.

Here's the part #'s for the CI-4+ oil.

Gals #04798232AE

Ots #04798231AD

See my previous posts, I posted the lab results on the oil there.

Like I said, it's cheap insurance for expensive machinery.

Take care, Michael.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Don; It is my understanding that it was designed for Dump Trucks. May not be true. Appears to be plenty strong to me. I called GV today and got the GM part # for Synthetic lube oil (12346190) you had given me the Mopar number which I am grateful for. I went to the Chevrolet Dealer and bought some. Saved myself a much longer drive to The Dodge dealer. It is now in Quart containers instead of 23 OZ like the old Mineral oil was. With 6% tax added on $25. 25 per Quart. It might be cheap insurance. Grease Job coming up in 3K so I will drain and fill then. I try to make as few trips as possible to under the truck (DAMN RAM) Yes I got a creeper but it still is not fun anymore. I don't trust some guy in a hurry to do it. One squeeze on the trigger and go to the next fitting is too much of a hit or miss proposition so I do it myself and I know good synthetic grease is getting in there.

 

[Mikie12]

J; I assume you mean me, yes the manual had the GM part# on there, sorry I did not post it for you. I'm sure it's just as good as the Mopar lube.
I read that the GV unit was originally designed in England, (and yes, God save the Qween), and has been used in race cars, and medium duty trucks. All I know is that this thing flys now since I installed it. Good oil is always cheap insurance.
I know it's a pain to get under the truck, but as you say, you know whats going in-no substitute for that, plus you know it's done right.
Back to you, Michael.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I am assuming it is the same oil just under different labels. Mike at GV did not say there was any difference when he gave me the numbers.

 

[kscheffler]

In my original post I stated that both the Dodge and GM product are suppose to be the same and per GV they are both Castrol Syntorque LT I have not priced the Castrol but I would quess it is a lot cheaper.



How often are you guys cleaning the filter that is a mess located on the bottom of the GV sump? The GV guy said that you don't need to clean it if you change oil often. I am on 5k intervals and he said I should be okay. I would think at some time I would need to clean it. How big of a job is it?

 

[Don Tanklage]

your supposed to clean the filter?



just kidding...



it is simple - whenever you change the oil pull the pan and throw it in the solvent tank. the filter will probably be in the pan. it is not supposed to be there tho... it is posed to be on the pick up tube. after you clean the filter and the pan take a center punch and peen the pick up tube slightly every 90° so that the filter has more of an interference fit and wont fall out again. then scrape what is left of the torn gasket off both mating surfaces, hit em w/ brake clean, and use ultra black. i use blue loctite on the bolts



if you dont have a solvent tank you will just have to have more brake clean on hand, and maybe a second drain pan to clean the filter in...

 

[SSolderitch]

Just bought my truck with 235K and the previous owner changed everything over to amsoil (maybe 150k). So I went to my local amsoil guy (a 5x cummins owner) and bought oil and all the fluids for topping off. the amsoil qt listed the mopar & Gm # and 20 other OEM's including the srt-10 & viper were listed in the calalog. It is called syncromesh trans fluid # mtf-qt and my price was under $9 a quart. note: the transfer case uses regular auto trans fluid, amsoil #atf-qt for about the same price. lube for the rears was about $14 a quart. I do not sell amsoil - I just bought a truck with it installed. I plan on sticking with it and not change brands. As stated before the truck has 235k and runs very strong.

 

[Mikie12]

Conferm, you have a GV unit in you truck? If so, I'd give a quick call (on their toll free line) to GV just to check if AMS is OK for it reguardless of what the previous owner put in it. It never hurts to check.
And good luck with your "new" truck, I here that yr model range were great trucks. M.

 

[SSolderitch]

I have a nv4500 - but the post said the same oil in the gv... Ams cat does lists OK for gv gear splitters. replaces gm12346190, chrysler 4874459 & ms-9070 & tr3550, also for nv4500 & t56's, muncie, borg-warner, saginaw, ford top loader, dearborn & new process or anything using a API GL-4... . My other point was $9 vs $22.



thanks on the "good luck", I bought it before the test drive... now I look for excuses to drive "the truck" because it is FUN! A nearly 7000# truck shouldn't be that fast & powerfull. That is not a complaint, just making a joke, LOL

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Good info. The $22 was at a GM dealer. Wonder how much more for Mopar at a Dodge dealer. I don't really want to know. Armed with the numbers you gave us I will buy from a Auto-Parts Store. Dealers make me want to use language I learned when I was in the Military.