MT90 Gearoil Problems

[jimmer111]

Having done quite a bit of research on here i changed my gearoil to Redline MT90. The reason being, when cold it would crunch changing from first to second.

Got the garage to change the oil for me with the last service (I provided the MT90 for them) have done about 600 miles with it now and it is terrible. The crunch from first to second has got worse and it now does it 2nd to 3rd when cold also. Things do improve when warm but overall is a lot owrse than with the old oil.

Basically wanted to know if anyone else has had problems with this oil in their gearbox and what they did to fix it. Looks like i will have to source some OEM oil from the dealer.

Sorry for the essay but any help would be greatly apprecited. The car is an 03 LCR by the way.

Cheers

James

Had the oil changed this morning to the OEM stuff from the dealer, garage did it for free (top stuff) and the problem is solved. No more crunching and super smooth gear changes throughout the box. Set off from the garage obviously with fresh cold oil and no crunch what so ever. Done 70 miles now on all roads inc. motorway and can't fault it.

In short, if you are going to change gearbox oil go for OEM stuff, it is best and what are gearboxes are designed for. The chap at the garage commented that the MT90 that came out was notably thinner than the OEM stuff.

Hope this helps people ou.

James

 

[DPJ]

Sounds to me like your syncromesh is worn. There's a limit to what good oil can do.

 

[NickT]

What mileage has the car done?
Following on from what DPJ said if the miles are high the damage could be beyond the realms of just changing the oil.

Due to the 1st-2nd crunch I replaced mine at around 20-25k miles with Redline MTL and have had no probs since.

 

[skahigh]

I would have to ask whether the garage that changed the oil did the job correctly? Perhaps the oil is at fault but what if the garage used the wrong amount for example.

N.B. I know naff all about gearbox oil so am simply hypothesising.

 

[jimmer111]

The Car is on 55k and has got a full service history.

I have no reason to doubt the garage, they are a very competnet VW/Audi specialists and have had no problems with work they have done on previous cars of mine.

The reaosn i asked the question is that i am doubting whether the oil is the correct specification for the gearbox. Judging by the spec it should be fine though.

I take the point about the warn synchros, as this is the likely cause of the crunching, although 55K seems to be a bit low milleage for this to happen. The main problem is it has got noticeably worse since changing the oil to what is supposed to be s upperior brand. At worst i would have thought it should have made no difference.

Cheers

James

 

[turbin]

2nd that. I just changed to Redline MT90 on my LCR and suddenly I noticed a little crunch between 1st and 2nd only when cold.

Had a shop do the job as I needed a special key to open the gearbox. Will try to top it off, if no improvement I'm going with another brand.

 

[jimmer111]

2nd that. I just changed to Redline MT90 on my LCR and suddenly I noticed a little crunch between 1st and 2nd only when cold.

Had a shop do the job as I needed a special key to open the gearbox. Will try to top it off, if no improvement I'm going with another brand.

I had the garage do mine for the same reason. He said he put most of the three bottles of oil in (only a bit left in the last bottle) and waited till it came out of the level hole while rotating the diff so levels should be fine.

Am wondering if MT90 is not a good oil for our gearboxes, although it seems highly rated on this forum.

Would be interesting to know if anyone else has had any problems with it.

Cheers

James

 

[Neil_Ireland]

Have mt90 in my gearbox for the past 20k miles or so, no problems at all. Cured the 2nd-3rd gear crunch at high revs.

 

[jimmer111]

Have mt90 in my gearbox for the past 20k miles or so, no problems at all. Cured the 2nd-3rd gear crunch at high revs.

This is the thing, i have read loads of posts on this forum from people saying that it cured the crunching between gears which is why i chose it.

For me though, it has made what was a small crunch between first and second into a big crunch between 1st and 2nd and now crunching between 2nd and 3rd.

I had hoped it would help the problem and not make it worse which is what has confused me!!!

James

 

[turbin]

I never had any crunch before I got MT90 in my box...... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeird.

 

[jimmer111]

I never had any crunch before I got MT90 in my box...... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeird.

Tis wierd indeed. I think i need to source a new gearbox oil...... Anyone got any recommendations?

 

[turbin]

I use mobile 1 in for my engine. Never looked back...

 

[jimmer111]

I use mobile 1 in for my engine. Never looked back...

Just ordered some new gearbox oil from the stealers. Will try that and see if that improves things and update this thread.

 

[andycupra]

any news?

regard those that have changed the oil then had problems, id ask how much oil you put in to get the correct levels... as one post above indicates you need to turn the diff?

 

[godber225r]

i used the recommended oil from the dealers cant remember the number off hand i know it ended with A2 and that was brill sorted it out no end

 

[777cupra]

i had some work done on my gearbox and oil was changed....no idea what to, but I do get the first to second crunch only when cold?

Anyone know why that is? and what changes when the engine warm to make it go away?

is it something I'm going to have to spend yet MORE money on?

 

[jimmer111]

any news?

regard those that have changed the oil then had problems, id ask how much oil you put in to get the correct levels... as one post above indicates you need to turn the diff?

Not yet.

Have got the oil from the dealers (£40 for 3 litres) and the car is booked in at the garage to be changed on the 28th. The guy at the garage is doing it for free which is good of him.

I know the level is crucial and the guy at the gagrage said he put most of the 3 litres in (following turning the diff) unfortunatley the oil just doesn't seem right (MT90). I am hoping the OEM stuff makes a difference but am not holding my breath!

 

[andycupra]

what is the reason why peopl go for MT90 (other than by recommendation?)
If its becuase its 'thinner' then this isnt always better. - same for engine oil. many people simply think thinner is better, but IMO there is a limit, as if an oil is significantly different in property such as thinkness then surely the oil pump rate needs changing.
If a gearbox in clunking then a thinner oil may not help it could be worse.

 

[jimmer111]

Did a lot of research and heard really good things about the MT90 oil curing crunching between gears etc. It is fully synthetic and the correct grade for the gearbox.

You are right about people thinking thinner is better but with gearbox oil that is definatley not true as if it is too thin then the synchros won't wind up properlly hence the crunching. I am wondering if the MT90 is too thin when it is cold.

 

[jimmer111]

Problem solved. Original Post edited.