Gearbox Oil

[jonywishbone]

I am looking to change the gearbox oilin my 1993 Chimaera shortly. What is the best oil for the SD1 gearbox, the current oil in the gearbox is green in colour.

Apprciate any experience.

[Martin_s]

This thread might help:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=166258&f=66&h=0

[pete1]

Hi,

I spent loads of time researching what oil was best for the Rover Box in the early Chimeras to find out what to put in mine.

TVR themselves specified three different types of oil over the years!!

The best Oil i have found is Castrol SMX-S which is a Sythetic version of the the SMX, this oil is widely available (even from Halfords) and although it it the most expensive option the gearshift is improved and as it is a Gearbox specific sythetic oil it should extend the life of the gearbox.

[jonywishbone]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try the Castrol SMX-s and if anything different will report

[matttav]

Its on my to do list as well.... any hints from your oil change experience would be much appreciated!!

Matt

[paul gotts]

Castrol SMX is definitely what RPI recommend, and they claim never to have seen any probs.with the boxes using it. They reckon most of the problems stem from the use of ATF, which was (and may still be) the official recommendation. Although it overcomes the crunchy cold gearbox syndrome, it does eventually cause wear. Very heavyweight gear oils should also be avoided, as the pump apparently can't cope with it. I've been using engine oil (currently Mobil 1) for 2 or three years, but will probably go SMX when my Mobil 1 stock runs out.

Paul.

[anonymous-user]

Castrol SMX is the one. I put it in my wedge, and it made the box quieter as well.

Doug

[jonywishbone]

Feedback as requested. I had the Castrol SMX-S duly installed. Initially I drove the car I thought the gear change was smoother, next time I drove didn't feel much change so probably not too much benefit. However the gearbox temperature as measured by the door opening knob temperature is considerably lower. Based on the fact that the temperature is due to friction I think this oil is probably a much better lubricant than the earlier stuff so recommend this.