Date:         Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:37:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      OK, Swepco gear oil..
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I just changed-over from MT-90 Redline to Swepco 201 in the gearbox of my
5sp manual tranny.  Here are my impressions.

  The two are very different.  The Redline has the consistency of light
motor oil or maybe even power steering fluid...very 'thin'.  The Swepco is
more the consistency of molasses. Really "messy" stuff.  When you lift your
fingers out of a puddle of the Swepco you get these little "threads" coming
off...they blow away like cobwebs. Very 'sticky-feeling'...  I was working
in about 45f temps.  I also have some Valvoline 80w-90w Gear Oil on hand.
That seems to be right between the two in viscosity.
   I used one of those inexpensive gear oil pumps that you screw into the
container and pump by hand, stroke by stroke, right out of the jug.  I doubt
if you would be able to use the "gravity-feed" method unless you had all
day.  Very tedious to pump it in by hand..took about an hour to transfer.
Thick, sticky, messy stuff.  It comes only in gallon containers and my
tranny uses just over a gallon.  I used a little of the Valvoline to make up
the difference after researching that the two would be compatible,  Pumping
in the little Valvoline top-up of  'normal' gear oil (about one pint) was
easy compared to the Swepco..
   First impression is the Swepco makes my gearbox quieter.  I don't notice
any shifting difference (again, ~40f operating temps) but I imagine in cold
temps the thicker consistency would be felt.
  The used (~25K mi) Redline I drained was quite clean and my magnetic drain
plug had few shavings on it.  Good stuff, that Redline..I guess, but my
gearbox was a little noisy using it...under hard acceleration from a stop,
usually when turning onto a highway  to match into traffic, I had a
'growling' noise from the rear that I didn't much fancy...That is almost
gone with the Swepco in there...
  So I am going to keep using the Swepco because it "feels" more 'slippery'
and "sounds" like it makes things work better back there.  But if I were to
move to Alaska and drive in winter, I would probably go back to the
Redline..and if I find gear shavings on my next change...again..back to the
Redline.

  Not very scientific, this report..but take it for what it's worth..

  Don Hanson