Fluids- A question of which and by whom

[JonathanT]

It wont be long before I need to enter the hallowed state of being ready to refill all the fluids in my R4

Its currently completely dry.

I need:

Gearbox Oil- Type / make preferable?
Engine Oil- Type / make preferable?
(I have some 'special' running in oil supplied by the engine rebuilders to use for the first 500-1000 miles.)
Brake Fluid Type / make preferable?
Coolant. Type / make preferable?

The engine now has hardened valve seats fitted so can run on straight green petrol

I know my Haynes manual is helpful and provides a spec but im interested what you guys would recommend.

 

[petak]

I have used ELF fluids except brake fluid.
Engine oil - ELF EVOLUTION 700 STI 10W40 - 4 liter, need 3,5 liter with small oil filter
Gearbox - ELF TRANSELF NFJ 75W80 - 2 liter, need 1,7 in total
coolant - ELF GLAECELF CLASSIC - 2 liter (-80°C), mix it with 3 liter distillate wate r(0°C), 5 liter in total (around -20°C) , need 4,5 liter
brake fluid - ATE SL dot 4 need less than 0,3 liter but for bleeding process you need more

For gearbox and engine oil i was looking for oils
engine oil ELF PRESTIGRADE TS 15W40)
gearbox oil ELF TRANSELF TYPE B80W90

but could not get them so had to turn to one i have already write

 

[angel]

NFJ gearbox oil is not suitable for our gearboxes, iyou must use a GL5 oil with EP additives, for the hypoid final drive.

ATE Typ200 brake fluid is said not to be hydroscopic, I have been using it for years but haven't decided yet if it does make any difference compared to SL.

 

[petak]

Thank you angel!

I am aware that NFJ oil is not right one.......but TRANSELF TYPEB i could not buy......
But did not know that is really bad......

Are there some problems i can feel while (or later on ) NFJ oil is inside?

I would hate myself if oil is reason of gearbox breakdown.

 

[mr-reno-139]

It is because the extreme loads on crown wheel and pinion that the oil can't cope
In a rear wheel drive gearbox your oil would be fine
EP = extreme pressure
I know people seem passionate for originality but pretty sure your car will be happy with correct grade oil even if not made by Elf ☺

 

[reidalpine]

Hi Jonathan!
My list preferred of fluid and brands goes like this:
To change engine oil -a cup of Twinings-tea
- " - gearbox -one Newcastle Brown
- " - coolant -two Stellas
- " - Brakefluid -up to a six-pack of whatever is available
Reid.

 

[JonathanT]

Hi Reidialpine

Now I DO like your suggestion!

Maybe I'll give that a go

 

[Paul Narramore]

Good grief Reid, Twinings tea, Newcastle Brown, Stella Artois and any six pack. You uncouth hooligan. In a World where we have Brooke Bond PG Tips, Oakhams Citra, Kent Brewery Pale and a six pack of Tennants Super, why would anyone go for your recommendation? Jonathan has webbed feet, doncha know?

 

[petak]

Mr-reno-139

You are right for passion for originality....
I was not thinking that it can make more damage than good so went for elf.......but will definitely change gearbox oil for some other brand GL5 oil......

I like originality (or pretend to like ) but i am not stubborn mule.....
Will do what is best for my friend

 

[reidalpine]

petak,just be sure to check if you're not supposed to use GL4 (not 5) on your gearbox GL 4 doesn't contain as much "aggressive" additives
remember our gearboxes are Not made to modern standards and with modern material! Just saying... -Reid.

 

[petak]

reidlpine.....thank you
straight away as angel ad comment to topic i looked at gearbox oil i have put in .......and it is not good...so this weekend will flush old oil and put new GL5 oil....Croatian brand INA (exist almost 60years) main supplier for petrol in Croatia. Agriculture machines, marine engines, trucks use their oils on regular basis.

 

[reidalpine]

Paul. sometime I feel like my feet are webbed too-especially after a brakefluid-change -R.

 

[reidalpine]

Petak. Do you have the original owners-manual (or Haynes book?) Check again to make SURE you can use GL-5 gear-oil..
-I would have thought you're safer by using GL-4 as the higher the Gl-number the more agressive additives. By agressive
I mean:to be used in modern gearboxes Only with other/newer materials and tighter tolerances compared to "our" boxes
I know -I can get Quite anal about these things as I don't like to use all kinds of High-Grade Unobtainium stuff for no
good reason.It's not like because it's regarded the bestest out there it's best or even healthy for our cars -Reid.

 

[Azazello]

I am quite sure you should use gl4 with older gearboxes as 334, and gl5 with modern ones as ha0.
Don't remember what are you supposed to do with intermediate gearboxes as 354...

 

[petak]

Mine gearbox is HA0.
But will see what renault user manual say about gearbox oil.
Have original one in Slovenian/Croatian/Serbian language

 

[angel]

HA0 and 354 are essentially the same gearboxes. These have hypoid final drives, which put very high loads on their teeth, hence the need for GL5 oil. (or oil with EP additives, but I think there is no such GL4 stuff).
On the other hand, 334 and earlier gearboxes have spiral bevel final drives = less loading and friction on the teeth = no need for EP additives.

 

[petak]

Thank you Angel for explanation.
Read renaults manual for R4
It is on Croatian/Serbian but will translate to you



Gearbox oil

First change between 1000 and 3000 km
Additional oil change every 60000 km
Plug 2 for drainage
Plug 3 for fill up and control

Type of oil to use

Use oil quality SAE 80 W norms API GL5 or MILL 2105BorC

Oil quantity: 1,8 lit

Second picture








So OIL GL5 it is!

 

[jjad]

I used Castrol EPX 75w/80w Gear Oil GL5

 

[Azazello]

I used Castrol EPX 75w/80w Gear Oil GL5

The same for me!
And ep80 for the 334 gearbox.

 

[JonathanT]

Hi guys these are the fluids I bought . The engine oil is a 'running in grade' the engine rebuilders gave me to use up to 1000miles max then I will change to modern oil spec


The gear oil is a hypoid

Have I got the right thing?