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  #1  
Old 07-02-2011, 11:21 AM
nategodin's Avatar
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15W-40 in 4-Speed Manual Transmission?

Hello,
I've got a gallon of Rotella 15W-40 oil hanging around my garage, used to use it in my engine but have since switched to Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck for easier winter starts (I live in Maine). Since I have no other use for it, I wonder if it would be suitable to use as transmission fluid in my 240D's 4-speed manual transmission. I've done some searches, and it looks like it's about the heaviest oil you'd want to use for that application. On the plus side, seems like it might make the transmission quieter at highway speeds. Right now it has 5W-20 in it, and at 65+ MPH it becomes difficult to carry on a conversation with passengers, especially ones in the back seat. (I realize it could just as easily be the driveshaft or differential, but that's another can of worms.) Could using heavier oil in the transmission cause any problems in cold weather?

Thanks,
Nate

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1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda
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  #2  
Old 07-02-2011, 11:27 AM
aaa aaa is offline
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Erm I think it's the engine making all that noise.
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  #3  
Old 07-02-2011, 11:33 AM
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Heh, yes, the engine definitely makes quite a bit of noise. There is a bit of a whine that seems to come from farther back, though. What I'm really getting at is can I put this Rotella 15W-40 that I have kicking around to good use in my transmission?
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1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda
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  #4  
Old 07-02-2011, 11:37 AM
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you might want to drain and replace the rear end oil.
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  #5  
Old 07-02-2011, 11:48 AM
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Yes, I do intend to change the fluid in the differential, which is the other can of worms to which I referred in the original post. This is all tangential to what my actual question was, though.
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1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda
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  #6  
Old 07-02-2011, 12:32 PM
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1987 w124 300D
 
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Location: Edmonton, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nategodin View Post
Hello,
I've got a gallon of Rotella 15W-40 oil hanging around my garage, used to use it in my engine but have since switched to Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck for easier winter starts (I live in Maine). Since I have no other use for it, I wonder if it would be suitable to use as transmission fluid in my 240D's 4-speed manual transmission....
Thanks,
Nate
Goodness no! Banish the thought from your head.
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1987 300D
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  #7  
Old 07-02-2011, 12:34 PM
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Id try to use a proper, purpose-specific fluid for that application. Synchros and other things will work better as a result. What does the FSM recommend?

Use the rotella to top off crankcase oil as needed... or use it in your lawnmower.
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #8  
Old 07-02-2011, 12:49 PM
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I thought manual transmissions used SAE 80-90 weight oils same as the differential. Are Mercedes boxes different?
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  #9  
Old 07-02-2011, 12:57 PM
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differential oils may not have the right additives to prevent yellow metals wear in the bearings of the gearbox. GL-4 type additives are necessary.

If an 80/90wt fluid is necessary, the best IMO is Amsoil MTG.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtg.aspx
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #10  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:00 PM
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Flying Spaghetti Monster? Ohhh, Field Service Manual. It says to use 10W or 20W20.

Seems like topping off the engine, which is full of synthetic 5W40, with dino 15W40 would be a bad idea. Not sure my electric lawn mower would like it, either.
__________________
1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda
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  #11  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottmcphee View Post
Goodness no! Banish the thought from your head.
Why?
__________________
1985 300DT, Classic White, California, 159K
1982 240D, Metallic Silver-Blue, Manual Everything, 376K
1981 240D, Orient Red, Parts Car/Engine Donor, 145K

"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" - Yoda
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  #12  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:07 PM
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1987 w124 300D
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Edmonton, Canada
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You can always burn the oil in your car's fuel tank if you're looking for a use, but please don't dump it down your sewer drain.
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1987 300D
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  #13  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nategodin View Post
Seems like topping off the engine, which is full of synthetic 5W40, with dino 15W40 would be a bad idea.
Not really. The HDEO add packs are fine and compatible, and the slight cold flow viscosity change (there will be none at operating temperature) should make no difference other than when it is less than 0F.
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #14  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:10 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottmcphee View Post
You can always burn the oil in your car's fuel tank if you're looking for a use, but please don't dump it down your sewer drain.

No, too high an ash content. Will put abrasives in the combustion chamber.
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #15  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:11 PM
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1987 w124 300D
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 1,539
Quote:
Originally Posted by nategodin View Post
Why?
Rotella is designed to suspend diesel soot. How much of this do you have in your tranny?

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1987 300D
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