Doc, I read that it is suitable for 75W85, 75W90. and 80W90. What worries me with MTG, is that it doesn't say it's approved for 75W80, which is what the X calls for. Is it safe to run that stuff being a different weight/viscocity than what the manufacturer recommends?

 

IMPORTANT


OK,

DO NOT put that second fluid in your transmission, ever. Its a GL-5, and GL-5 based fluids are known to have chemicals that damage phosphor bronze that is in our gearboxes.

Here is a nice bit lo light reading about gear oil and API classifications: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_oil


I ordered BG Synchroshift II from Buschur Racing. First off, their prices are great on the stuff, second of all they ship super fast. I've used BG in Mitsu trannies for years at the advice of DSM guys and got rid of a nasty 4th gear grind in my VIII like that.

Well, BG is 75w80, but its a GL-4. Guess what? The Evo X uses GL-3 fluid. IMO, this is probably what the freaking problem is right here. This is the first modern manual transmission Japanese car that I have ever seen that uses a GL-3. The VIII and IX called for GL-4.

The capacity of the new box is less as well to save space. It takes 2.6 quarts of fluid. As far as I know, a GL-4 should not be corrosive in any way to a modern transmission. **That said, replace the GL-3 at your own risk!**

I have not added the BG Synchroshift to the car yet, because part of me wants to wait to hear what Mitsubishi decides.

A bigger part of me thinks the problem is that the Diaqueen New Multi Gear Oil GL-3 is a **** poor product for this gearbox and believes that the BG Synchroshift II is the right viscosity and will probably cure the transmission immediately if it is indeed a fluid issue and not an engineering flaw. Since its based similarly off the IX transmission, the fluid change makes the most sense to me.

I just wanted to post up and tell you guys that putting a GL-5 in your transmission could produce disasterous results. Until Mitsubishi tells us its OK to use a good synthetic GL-4, it might be wise to hold off.

If anybody has used a quality GL-4 at the factory weight recommendations and gotten rid of the notchiness, I would love to hear about it.

 

Oil Doc,

Please let me know what you think about the fact the manual calls for a GL-3 and if you still think it is still safe to run a GL-4.

Your opinions and input are always greatly appreciated.

 

Well Noize since you already have ordered the stuff you might aswell put it in....

 

Man, not with the corporate snipers watching. I have this fear that I will drive up to the dealership and they will have EvoM pulled up on their screens.

"We've been told to look out for you, boy. That GL-4 done F'd up your tranny. Warranty VOIDED. Get out your billfold."

 

LOL.......I dont care who you are thats funny right there.........but the sad part is that it is probably true

 

Taking Oil Analysis Class Now.... Will be back to this ASAP


Doc

 

God I hope this gets figured out. OilDoc knows his stuff, so he'll probably figure this out. This sucks that guys have had their cars for nearly 3 months and still no real solution from Mitsu.

 

Well noize I really appreciate the suggestion. I always paid attention mostly to the weight and not the GL rating. I for some reason thought that the higher the number the higher the quality rating. It apperars as though that is NOT the case! Thanks for clarifying that. I am with you on wanting to try a new fluid but being hesitant and wanting to see what mitsu says first. They are officially aware of the problem now at least, and have issued a TT to dealerships to not work on the car until a fix is officially released. Ughhh, hurry up Mitsubishi!!!!!!

 

I have a lot of faith in Oil Doc and have been reading his posts on here for several months.

I am very interested to hear what he has to say about the GL-3 OEM fluid and if going to a GL-4 is OK in his mind. Or if it could be contributing to the notchiness.

 

I need verification of a GL-3 recommendation on an EVO X for starters... A GL-3 Lube is for use with ferrous metals and as far as I know, is an antiquated rating. The tranny on the EVO's have Brass/Bronze parts in them therefore a GL-4 is required. Maybe I am all wet here as I haven't had to deal with any irregularities of gear lubes in about 3 years....

I am really not concerned about the 75W-80 as most gear lubes don't meet any of the Specs listed on the bottle.

I could not get hold of our Driveline Tech as AMSOIL was closed due to a Winter Storm dumping 18 inches of snow on them and 50-60 MPH winds. We have a lube that carries the 75W-80 rating along with a GL-4, but I want it in writing from AMSOIL before I make a recommendation.

Doc

 

Well, MTG says that it is recommended for 75w85, 75w90, and 80w90. I wonder why it doesn't say that it's suitable where a 75w80 is called for? Is it still safe to run it? Can running a GL-4 hurt the transmission when it calls for a GL-3? Is the notchiness being caused by a fluid that wasn't chosen properly by mitsubishi? How could they not test this out before they released the car? First year cars will always have little quirks that need to be fixed, but this should have been caught before the cars left the factory. Hurry up mitsu, I'm losing patience and so is everyone else.

 

I figured why not and decided to be the mule. I put the BG in early tonight. I have been driving the car around in the city for several miles to see the difference. But I could feel it coming right out of my driveway.

Its _substantially_ better with the BG. My car would notch into second at high RPM. Not anymore. It still is a tiny bit notchy into second and third from 2000-3500rpm, but so much less. If I rev to 4k to upshift, its almost perfect. It never feels quite as nice as my IX transmission did, but it is much better than it has ever been.

I have a pretty strong suspicion that the clutch is dragging in these cars. I think that is why the problem is so widespread. Don't get me wrong, the fluid change produced amazing results, but I would like to know what the deal really is.

I didn't want to post this up, but who cares? The car should have GL-4 in it. The trans is very similar to the IX trans, and that had GL-4. Its the exact same weight as the stock stuff, and makes the car much better to drive.

I bet the Amsoil stuff would be worth every penny. If its even a smidge better than the BG Synchroshift II, it would probably feel exactly like a IX transmission.

The change is a snap if you have the right tools. The undertray in this car is much nicer to take off than the PITA one on the IX.

 

AWESOME! Did you do a mix with the factory stuff or use pure BG?

 

100% SS II. I wanted that GL-3 crap out of my transmission.