Redline fluid in an NV 4500 ?

[JPLB22]

I did a transmission fluid change a little over 3000 miles ago, at 30,000 miles. I bought this truck used and am pretty sure it was the first fluid change in the transmission. I did some research on the Redline MTL ( 75 wt ) and the Redline MT90 ( 90 wt ), and both met the fluid requirements for the NV4500, and the diesel shop I purchased the fluid from said to mix them in the NV 4500. So that's what I did, it's about 60/40 MT90 to MTL.



The transmission was pretty notchy shifting before the change, especially going from 2nd to 3rd, and it hasn't changed much after about 3000 miles on the Redline fluid.



What is the stock fluid weight on the '03 NV4500 ?



Is there anything I can do to reduce the notchy shifting ?



Would it be better the run staight MTL ( 75 wt ) for the winter, few days in single digits, lots in the teens ?



TIA



Jeff



* edit... Sorry, the MTL is a 70w80 and the MT90 is the 75w90

 

[Hohn]

THE 4500 needs thicker lube. It calls for a 75-90 gear lube, so the MT-90 is the correct choice. No blending needed.

 

[Buffalo]

I have an '03, NV-5600 and I don't know which RedLine product would work the best for you but, I have read where they have helped out the notchiness in some of these transmissions.



If you don't find out what you are looking for, in this website, you may want to go over to "bob is the oil guy.com" (Rear-end,trans. ,etc. forum). There is tons of information, on that website. Lots of extremely knowledgeable people, also. They have some "boutique" lubricants available that are quite a bit better that what is normally available. Products with extremely high quality synthetic base oils and additive packages and more choices available.



There is a company mentioned on that site called "Specialty Formulations" that builds some of these high quality, specialty, fluids. The owner goes by the name of "MolaKule", on that site. I tried some of his MTL-P gear oil in my NV-5600 and it eliminated some of the notchiness in the shifting, expecially, when downshifting into 2nd gear. I'm happy with it.



You should be able to find the answers to your questions, there. Probably get first hand experience, answers.



This is a free site but, you will have to register. No big problem.



Hope this helps.



Joe F. (Buffalo)



PS: You may want to consider installing a trans. filter, also, at this time. Available through Geno's garage.

 

[amsoilman]

I did a transmission fluid change a little over 3000 miles ago, at 30,000 miles. I bought this truck used and am pretty sure it was the first fluid change in the transmission. I did some research on the Redline MTL ( 75 wt ) and the Redline MT90 ( 90 wt ), and both met the fluid requirements for the NV4500, and the diesel shop I purchased the fluid from said to mix them in the NV 4500. So that's what I did, it's about 60/40 MT90 to MTL.



The transmission was pretty notchy shifting before the change, especially going from 2nd to 3rd, and it hasn't changed much after about 3000 miles on the Redline fluid.



What is the stock fluid weight on the '03 NV4500 ?



Is there anything I can do to reduce the notchy shifting ?



Would it be better the run staight MTL ( 75 wt ) for the winter, few days in single digits, lots in the teens ?



TIA



Jeff

Jeff,

If yoou get the correct lube for the NV04500 (5-speed)it should be a 75W-90 GEAR LUBE GL-4! The NV-5600 (6-speed) takes a different fluid, and is a 5W-30 FLUID.

You should not mix two different viscosity fluids together to come uo with differing viscosities, as you will never know exactly what grade you end up with.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[ttreibel]

Jeff



I tried the mixture (REDLINE) you are using for 3 months in my 3rd Gen. NV4500 and the "notchy" shifting got worse and worse until the point I felt that REDLINE was cheap snake-oil. I hope I didn't do any permanent damage with that REDLINE mixture you are using but my truck shifts way better now with Mobil 1 75-90. I also had redline ATF in my Saturn transmission and it started making noise after 4K from now on I will use Mobil 1 products they are the original and readily available all over the place.



NO MORE SNAKE-OIL here :--)

 

[BTighe]

i heard the mixing redlines would help shifting but cant say that it has. just waiting to get a few more miles out of this oil, then its amsoil like the rest of the drivetrain(besides the delo400).

 

[SRadke]

I have yet to find an oil that will make a NV4500 survive the torque of this engine. I've tried the stock Syntorque, 75-90 Amsoil, Valvoline synthetic 90w, Redline MTL & MT90. Currently using the Redline but I'm not confident in it. Notchy shifting I can deal with, the 100k mile rebuilds are a PITA.



-Scott

 

[Supermod56]

The Redline MT90 works like a champ in my 4500, and I will put the MTL in the 5600 as soon as I get it installed. The 4500 will be toast in 100K if you tow heavy with the motor turned up, I am real easy on it for now.



Tom

 

[amsoilman]

Here is where you can find info on the Amsoil Transmission lubes.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131044&highlight=Amsoil+MTL

 

[JPLB22]

amsoilman... I'm interested in the MTG for the NV4500, could you PM me with any additional info and maybe a price.



ttriebel... the Mobile 1 sounds like it worked well in your 3rd Gen NV4500, I will have to consider that as well.



I will definately be changing the fluid pretty soon.



Jeff

 

[amsoilman]

amsoilman... I'm interested in the MTG for the NV4500, could you PM me with any additional info and maybe a price.



ttriebel... the Mobile 1 sounds like it worked well in your 3rd Gen NV4500, I will have to consider that as well.



I will definately be changing the fluid pretty soon.



Jeff

Jeff,

I did PM you.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[mikepvg]

For all you nippleheads using products & mixtures w/o doing some research & then slamming the products..... well if I can't say anything positive... .



You guys might try reading "The NV4500 & Lube Oils GL-4/GL-5" in TDR Issue #33 page 14.



The TDR is a valuable technical resource... . try taking advantage of what you have instead of using it as a gossip column.



Oo. Mike