OT: Can Redline kill tranny bearings?

[Guest Anonymous]

Hello folks,

Since my wife's VW Golf 1.8T is as we speak receiving $400 worth of mass airflow meter replacement at 57k miles, I am planning on asking the service guys about what to do for the notorious (in A4 VW circles) second-gear grind while I'm at the dealer. Redline MT90 had been at the top of my list, but I saw on the VWVortex board that Shine Racing Services (who I guess is fairly well respected) said Redline will damage/kill tranny bearings over the long haul.

I believe Redline is seen as a generally good thing here...what are your astute thoughts on this?

Thanks guys and gals...

Tim

'76 2002

'03 Golf

[Guest Anonymous]

I put MT90 in my WRX's transmission hoping to fix a similar problem -- it frequently grinds downshifting into 2nd even with double clutching (ok, maybe I'm not so good at double clutching, but I'm at least getting close on the revs) which it has done since new.

The Red Line didn't help much unfortunately, although I suspect it will be a lot easier to shift in the winter than it was with the dino oil.

Unless someone says absolutely not, I figure you have nothing to lose by trying it. If it doesn't help, you can drain it out and go back to regular gear oil. If it does help then you're either better off (no problems) or no worse off (you lose the bearings instead of the synchros).

Gee, you're going to think I'm a tranny killer now since I have two cars with bad transmissions. I've heard the transmission is a weak link in the WRX...really!

Matthew Cervi

'73 tii

'02 WRX (CRUNCH!)

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

I've read that the WRX has some weak links in the gearbox department. The 'box Beth's Golf is becoming very notchy and stiff...but with the 100k powertrain warranty I don't want to use something the dealer can say caused the problem when/if the tranny goes up. I'll be going in to talk to them...VW has replaced some trannies outright but it varies from dealer to dealer...

Thanks for the insights...

Tim

[Guest Anonymous]

Not sure how they define the "long haul", but I have been running MTL in my 5 speed since converting in 95, and ran MTL in 4 spd "Metric Mechanic Ultimate Transmission that I installed in 1984 and was doing great when I installed the conversion. Put about 150,000 miles on the 4 speed and no problems. The 5 speed is doing fine as well, with about 80,000 miles under its belt.

Earl Myers

74 2002Lux

72 Volvo 1800ES

[Guest Anonymous]

I've run both MTL and MT90 for some time in my 02 and 533i with no problems. In fact, after sitting for some 18 months, the trans in the 02 was a bitch and a half to shift until I put MTL in it. Within a week everything was back to normal. I love the stuff.

Now, I know nothing about the VW transmissions, but I'd like to see some real evidence linking Redline with transmission bearing failures (note plural - more than one example is needed here) before I take it as gospel. Of course, you do have the warranty to consider, but I wouldn't think that the techs are going to do a chemical analysis on the trans oil. Maybe you're better off just changing it yourself so there's no paper trail at the dealer if things do go south.

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

I used MTL in my Celica for 100k miles with no probs, despite autocrossing approx once a month. I bought it with 25k miles, put MTL in, and drove it to 125k miles before I sold it.

I have about 35k miles on my '02 since installation of MTL into the original tranny (how many miles?). No problems there also, except for the leaks.

One might argue that MTL could cause bearing failure over the long term b/c it's lighter weight than 90 weight oil, but if that's an issue for you, use MT90.

[Guest Anonymous]

dude, synergyn is the way to go. put it in my 02, stopped all gear noise period, and made it shift faster/better. find out if your transmission can take this stuff, but its great. thats my 02 sense.

mike

golf 72

[Guest Anonymous]

http://www.synergynracing.com/products/syngearll.html

syngear II is what u want

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

...it gets confusing when both of you post with the same handle. Not a biggie, since a glance at the IP line usually clears things up (and your styles are rather distinct), but you might want to find another variation just to avoid confusion. I'm glad for both his and your input, and I just want to be sure everyone knows who's who.

Playing board Keystone Cop,

-Dave

Colorado '71