Gulf Western Syntrans

[helbz]

I have been hunting around for a ZF oil alternative and want something that is certified and not $400 for 20 litres. I came across Gulf Western Syntrans and it holds ZF approval for XR6T and Ford Territory. Anyone used this oil ? it is well priced at $160 for 20 litres.

[1600dave]

G'day mate.

found this in another thread...

I have had mine done this week with gulf western and its better than it was new for gear changes and now gulf western is now approved for zf transmissions

Also after reading the replies in the castrol forum, it would seem they intend on realeasing a suitable fluid.

[GinjaNinja]

Mate there is no such thing as a "ZF APPROVAL" sheet, actually, there was but ZF has since void such document as legitimate

Anything other than ZF is a gamble, especially with Penrite and Transmax

[Spoony]

Don't use Nulon Syth ATF!

I did, fail, their 'lube guide' specifies it for BFii XR6T, yet after one finds out shifting to fourth = slip/flare and looks further in a difference section of their site they say 'not for ZF 6 speed'. Be interesting what they say in reply to my email.

As for the Gulf Western Syntrans, they confirmed it is suitable and has the correct aditives (I explained my situation and he said there are a few products that have updated advice not to use due to issue & not containing required aditives etc). However said it does not have ZF tested approval yet.

As I obvoiusly want to flush mine, helbz, where is it $160 for 20L? Autobarn said $370! whoa!

edit: Scratch that, standard greedy pricks that Autobarn are. Elsewhere C M & T Quality Products Arundal gold coast, $150/20L (approx was driving).

Adds to my despise of Autobarn.

Edited 20/06/11 12:05 AM by Spoony

[rednose]

As for the Gulf Western Syntrans, they confirmed it is suitable and has the correct aditives (I explained my situation and he said there are a few products that have updated advice not to use due to issue & not containing required aditives etc). However said it does not have ZF tested approval yet.

Let us know how you go as also interested in flushing with GW

[1600dave]

I'm going to use the GW stuff in my car I think.

Reading the specs though, the GW meets pretty much all the same specs as the Nulon!

did you originally do a full flush when you went from stock fluid to the Nulon?? Maybe having a mix of fluids caused it?

How does it drive under normal conditions, does it only slip/flare into 4th when flooring it?

Scottay had a similar problem I believe, he thought it was his wheels but his trans is now cactus

http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/74739-zf-issues-or-so-I-thought/page__gopid__1115774#entry1115774

[Spoony]

I'm going to use the GW stuff in my car I think.

Reading the specs though, the GW meets pretty much all the same specs as the Nulon!

did you originally do a full flush when you went from stock fluid to the Nulon?? Maybe having a mix of fluids caused it?

How does it drive under normal conditions, does it only slip/flare into 4th when flooring it?

Scottay had a similar problem I believe, he thought it was his wheels but his trans is now cactus

http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/topic/74739-zf-issues-or-so-I-thought/page__gopid__1115774#entry1115774

That is just weird, how could the wheels effect that?

Just looking of the specs myself and for ZF the only difference is 03D for gulf and not nulon and 06D for Nulon and not Gulf.

The charateristics are not identical but dont' seem too far removed.

An interesting bit of info here http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1421358

So if Mercon SP is the ford spec? then it appears many fluids carry/meet this.

Didn't do a full flush. Changed out around 5L's a little while ago, and drove it for a bit, did another 5 just on Friday and noticed the behaviour for the first time saturday night. I would say it's primarly Nulon in it now.

It shifts normally otherwise, into 6ths has been a little 'shunty' of late but the diff bush is going so figured much could be that.

In 4th it self then nuts it is fine to redline, its only when full power and shift 3-4th hi rpm.

Still waiting to hear back on email from Nulon. Gulf replied near instantly happy to recommend their product. I also emailed Castrol, they say the do not have a suitable product and do not recommend Transmax Z.

[1600dave]

Still waiting to hear back on email from Nulon. Gulf replied near instantly happy to recommend their product. I also emailed Castrol, they say the do not have a suitable product and do not recommend Transmax Z.

I had the same experience when I contacted them both, except I haven't emailed Nulon.

In the other 'ZF servicing melb' thread its mentioned apparently Bayswater Autos use the GW Syntrans, maybe worth speaking to them on their experiences with it.

The only spec alot of them don't seem to meet is the Shell M1375.4

Oil Specifications; Synthetic Oil Only – Motospecs Part # 749626, Ford RI-28, Shell ATF M 1375.4, Mercon SP XT-6-QSP

[Spoony]

I found this interesting PDF attached. According to this for the 6HP26 ZF 6sp Mercon SP is the specification required by Ford.

As such Nulon should be fine as it lists that it meets this spec. Yet elsewhere they contradict and say not to use it. Have enquired as to why. Seems odd.

As for meeting shell Shell M1375.4

See here: http://www.lubeandtune.com.au/html/lubekey.asp

ASP15 Automatic Transmission Fluid

Ford Specification No. M2C 919D

Mercon SP Fluid Part No. XT-6QSP

Shell ATF M-1375.4

ZF 6-speed Automatic Transmission Fluid

Everything seems to point to Mercon SP being used as a spec. Shell ATF M-1375.4 is I guess a type of product and not a spec or trans product used/produced (be it labeled) by a manufacturer hence probably doesn't turn up on spec lists of other manufacturers of oil products? (just a guess).

Updated_ATF_Chart1.pdf

[GinjaNinja]

I had been forwarded an email via a workshop proprietor from a Nulon Sales Rep and he said they do not recommend using their Synthetic with the ZF transmission

hmmmmmm strange, a Nulon sales rep saying such a thing.....