Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil for 4500 5 Speed

[AWallace]

I ordered mine from Blumenthal.com Castrol Syntorq $53. 90 for 5qts if it is still available at that price.

 

[BBeckmann]

Well, I got 5 qts of royal purple max gear 14. 00 dollars a qt. Still cheaper than the factory stuff! Thanks 4 the advice

 

[SHobbs]

Been using Royal Purple 75W-90 for the last 256,000 miles without a single problem. Still as smooth as the first day I drove it.

 

[surfbeetle]

When I did my two wheel drive trans, it took less than 5 quarts. In fact, I had almost a full quart left over. You'll be happy with the purple stuff, have been for a long time.

 

[Erniek]

Wow, are you serious?? You are worried about spending 23. 00 per quart times 4 quarts, just under a hundred bucks, on your very expensive to replace/rebuild NV4500 transmission? If you break it down to how often you need to change the oil, and the cost of the oil, it is really pretty cheap at 23. 00 per quart. It's not like you have to change it every 3,000 miles!! Is it really worth destroying your synchros, to save 50 bucks on an every 50,000 mile oil change?????

 

[surfbeetle]

Wow, are you serious?? You are worried about spending 23. 00 per quart times 4 quarts, just under a hundred bucks, on your very expensive to replace/rebuild NV4500 transmission? If you break it down to how often you need to change the oil, and the cost of the oil, it is really pretty cheap at 23. 00 per quart. It's not like you have to change it every 3,000 miles!! Is it really worth destroying your synchros, to save 50 bucks on an every 50,000 mile oil change?????

Since my father was a heavy duty diesel mechanic, he would get all sorts of test results for oil analysis. Castro didn't fare well in what he read. So for me its not about the cost of the oil but rather protecting the trans. Seeing that I have 195000 miles on the original factory trans that has only been out to change the clutch last year, I'll take Royal Purple over Castrol any day.

 

[WDixon27]

the dealer spec stuff is not always the best in a ton of applications, it certainly won't hurt but a good portion of the time you can do better, if you think about it the manufacturer submits their specs and takes the lowest bidder not the best possible product available

 

[FUMINS]

When i had my trany rebuilt i was told to use 15w40 rotella eng oil. Hope this helps

 

[surfbeetle]

When i had my trany rebuilt i was told to use 15w40 rotella eng oil. Hope this helps

By who? I have never heard of such a thing. The trans oil is synthetic, rotella is either. I'm not an expert, but I would think that engine oil and gear oil were designed for two entirely different environments.

 

[GAmes]

When i had my trany rebuilt i was told to use 15w40 rotella eng oil. Hope this helps

You are kidding aren't you?

 

[NIsaacs]

Thats all I ever use in my three rigs (15/40) however none are NV4500's. Clark transmissions and Eaton Roadrangers recommended 50w engine oil for ever, not sure about now days tho, this was back in the old days (20 years or so). My 91 Getrag factory fill was 30w engine oil. I never overfill.



Nick

 

[FUMINS]

No not at all they told me if i wanted to keep my warrenty thats what i need to use and so far no problems. i was also told no synthetics at all. because i had already bought the good **** then when i got my transmission back there was a tag on it that said 15w40 and i was like what? so i called them and they said o ya 15w40 works great and its cheap. but to make sure not to use synthetic oil at all. and to date witch has been 8 months ive had no problems with the transmission just with the t-case im on my fourth one now

 

[surfbeetle]

Well as long as they will warranty it. You've got eight months on Rotella in the trans, I have 15 years on trans with at least half that on Royal Purple synthetic gear oil, before that was some Valvoline and then the factory Castrol fill. Only time will tell on yours. What I would like to see is some scientific data that supports the use of Rotello over the gear oil in a trans.

 

[FUMINS]

YA i know trust me i wanted to put gear lube in there i have all my other trannys but not this one. i do like the fact that for 12bucks i can change my transmission fluid with my oil.

 

[NIsaacs]

I don't have any scientific data, but Caterpillar used series 3, 30wt engine oil in their crawler tractors forever. I am talking from front to back, in everything except the track rollers and idlers. Again I am old school so I have no idea about todays equipment. Allischalmers tractors also used straight engine oil in everything, so it must work.



Nick

 

[Dr.Bob]

I live in MT and I go back to Ohio about once a year, I was running redline, in Iowa it locked up on me, could run but would have to put in neutral when stopped. Limped in to Cleveland and bought some RP, took it to a tranie shop to have it changed, he changed it and drove it around the block and said it was still locked up, something bad wrong in there. Went to my daughters about 20 miles away, and by the time I got there everything was loose again, and that was four years ago, I think I will stick with RP.

 

[Rogan]

not to dig up an "older" thread, but is Royal Purple 75w90, and/or Amsoil MTG considered an "okay" practice for the NV4500?



I ask, because I'll be putting my 4500 back together on thursday, and replacing the failing 4500 in my truck, on Sunday. I doubt I'll have time to get castrol Syntorq before then, but the other two are locally available.



Thanks, in advance!

Rick

 

[surfbeetle]

As you read this thread you'll get varying opinions. I can only reiterate that I have 197,000 on the original factory never rebuilt NV4500, over half it's life with Royal Purple. I have an 11,000 5th wheel I pull monthly.

 

[Rogan]

I may go that route, then, beetle. you and Gary, both, have helped me tremendously in the past, and I do value your opinion(s).

 

[hsmith]

I have Amsoil GL4 in mine. It is their recommended lube for the 4500.