On Sun, 30 Jan 2000 08:47:41 -0500
Lawrence Johnson <larry_avery.johnson@sympatico.ca> wrote:

> > The nice thing about the MTL is it is the viscousity that VW recommends
> > for that transmission.
>
> You must mean MT-90 which is GL-4. MTL is GL-5, I think.

http://www.redlineoil.com/gearoil.htm

No, Both MT-90 and MTL are GL 4 oils. Its almost as if Redline designed
these oils for VW's. They are a perfect match. The MT90 is a 75w90, and
is good for the newer cable shifted trannies ( O2A's ), and the MTL is
good for the bus and O2O trannies in A1 and A2 and some A3 VW's.

>
> Page 34.1a of the Bentley Manual specifies that, from 1/86 onward, the 091 transmission
> should use GL-4, SAE 80W or 80W/90 gear oil.

The MTL is a 75w80...so an 80w. A 80w90 works, but I find that in colder
weather it becomes like rowing a stick in mud. A synthetic is better,
but its a bit thick...not a large difference, but the MTL works a bit
better, not radically, but better. I'm comparing using the MTL vs the
MT-90 in a rabbit or bus tranny. The MTL is slightly better. Using other
synthetic 80w90 GL5's, produced some crunching in 2nd and such...

>
> > However if I was in a warm climate the 80w90 would probably be fine too. The MTL is a
> > 75w80 which is what VW recommends.
> > In cold climates I find it works slightly better (75w80 vs 80w90)
>
> I live in Ontario, Canada where is can get cold from time to time. The AMSOIL "AGT"
> 100% Synthetic 80W/90 GL-4 gear oil works well in our '86 Syncro Westfalia. I plan on
> using in our '86 Syncro Double Cab as well.
>

I'm in ontario too...yes the 80w90 works okay, I'm just saying that the
80w oil works better and the redline MTL is closer to that (75w80)

> I take it back, AMSOIL is every bit as good as Redline. If it weren't, I'd be using
> Redline instead.
> Larry
>

I've used both in V dubs. I like Amsoils and Redline products, but from
my own experience the amsoil gear lubs in vw trannies that want a GL 4,
do not work as well. But we are talking about a small difference. Either
oil is Miles ahead of every other synthetic GL5 80w90 on the market,
especially the MOBIL 1 gear lube, which even Mobil does not recommend to
be used in a VW. The amsoil is much cheaper, so the really slight
difference might be a big deal. I just find that when cold, the redline
feels less stiff.

PS: Those are two very fine vehicles you have...very jelous! :)
--
============================================================---------
Dominique Cormann                              Email: kozmik@home.com
Homepage: http://kozmik.guelph.on.ca
Diesel page: http://kozmik.guelph.on.ca/gtdproject
84 Rabbit D - daily driver
84 Rabbit GTD - work'in on it