well now who knows what to think
re the samba thread ..
one guy writes -
" Avoid using Swepco 201 with a VW factory transmission. Swepco makes great
products but their oil isn't compatible with the VW 002 and 091
transmissions in my personal experience:
it has the wrong coefficient of friction for the synchronizers
the shifting is too stiff
it costs $40/gallon
Think about the wear that will occur when using that gear oil especially
during warmup and compare it to the cost of a transmission rebuild. "

I've always heard that Swepco was really, really good stuff.
When I have used it ..
no problems ever, excpet maybe a stiffer syncro action when cold.

I suspect Swepco is pretty good at protecting gears, like the ring and
pinion.
I think I'll try some if I get the change.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Sayer" <marcsayer@HUGHES.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: OK, Swepco gear oil..

> MTL and MT-90 are not for use in transaxles or differentials with hypoid
> gears, which means not for use in VW transaxles. Redline says, not for
> use with hypoid gears, right on their website. I love these products and
> all the Brit and Jap cars I built got them, but I wouldn't use them in a
> VW transaxle. In addition, the MTL is way too light for a transaxle even
> if it were suitable for use with a hypoid gear. To get the same friction
> modifiers in a Redline product, I'd go with Lightweight Shockproof -
> Film thickness greater than an SAE 75W140, yet low fluid friction like
> 80W gear oil. And it has the right mix of friction modifiers for a
> manual transmission in most cases. If this doesn't work for a specific
> application, I'd go with the 75W90NS. Shockproof is amazing stuff and
> offers a very high level of protection without the drag of a thick oil.
>
> Here's an interesting thread on transaxle lubricants.
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/archive/index.php/o-t--t-366486--.html
>> MT-90 is a 75W90 gear oil (viscosity about the same as a 15W40 motor
>> oil). Redline MTL is thinner, a 75W80W. Are you sure you weren't using
>> the MTL?
>>
>> You don't say which Swepco product you used. I think the Porsche folks
>> mostly use their 201, which is available in multiple grades, up to a
>> 250! Their 210 is an 80W-140, which sounds closer to what you describe.
>>
>
> --
>
> Marc Sayer
> Journalist, Photographer, Dog Trainer (APDT member #062956)
> Board member - Western States Great Dane Rescue Association
> Director of Operations&  Training - Deaf Dane Rescue Inc.
> Oakridge, OR USA
>
> My Homepage -http://gracieland.org
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