Oils ain't oils, Sol

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 10:24

ThreadID: 85782 Views:2784 Replies:5 FollowUps:8

This Thread has been Archived

Member - Jack

My vehicle is a 1991 Toyota Landcruiser diesel (non-turbo manual). I have been advised that Castrol VMX-M 85/95 oil works well in the gearbox and also helps with cold changes. But I cannot find this oil on the shelves of my local auto parts place. Has it been discontinued, and is there a viable alternative? The vehicle has travelled 370,000 and still going strong. There is a lot of heat coming from the transmission and I am hoping that this oil may also assist it to run a little cooler.

I have not been able to find any worthwhile suggestions on the Castrol website.

Thanks in advance.

Jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: get outmore - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 11:10

Reply By: patsproule - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 12:18

Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 14:37

Reply By: Member - onemore - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 17:18

Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 17:18

Jack,

Mate, have a look at thread 84771, where I asked the same question for my Dad and received some valuable information from the forum members.
Please let me know if it works for you as my Dad isn't well and won't let me near the vehicle but I will have to do something before I can sell it.

Cheers,
Mike

AnswerID: 452005

Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 20:53

Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 20:53

Hi Mike:

Yes, that was interesting to read too. I will give this VMX-M a run and let you know how it goes in mine. I will post it as a new topic rather than trying to somehow link in with this thread.

I will be getting away for a few days after Easter and towing a camper, so I will also let you know how it goes with the heat being generated.

Enjoy your Easter break.

jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 724677

Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 16:30

Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 16:30

Hi Mike:

I can report that I have changed the oil and put in the VMX-M. Almost immediately I noticed it was smoother and easier to shift when cold. Once the gearbox had warmed (I went about 20km) it was noticeably smoother. I cannot report yet as to if it ran any cooler, and I need to do a longer trip to determine that. However, I may have to drive to Sydney this week, so that should be a good test for it.

Hope this info is useful to you.

Cheers

Jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 725034

Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 20:41

Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 20:41

Hi Mike:

I have just completed a trip of 700 km towing a Tvan including some pretty hilly country. The weather was cooler, but I can state that the gearbox on my 80 series is running cooler since putting in the VMX-M.

In the past I have often let the gearbox keep the cabin warm in winter, but this trip saw me reaching for the slider to warm it up a bit.

Although not definitive, I am now convinced.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers
Jack

The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

FollowupID: 727109