syncromesh question.

[Denji]

I put syncromesh in my car about 3,000 miles ago. My friend started telling me that it was going to mess up my tranny because its too thin, is this true? The car didnt grind before the syncromesh and it doesnt grind now. I'd say it shifts a little better, but id figure with new fluid it should. Should I leave this stuff in or change it?

 

[andymoraitis]

Tell your friend to go crap in his hat (nicely of course). Although synthetics are slightly thinner, they do provide long lasting lubrication. If you weren't grinding before and aren't grinding now there are no issues. It should be said that as a transmission ages and the synchros and gears wear that thicker conventional GL-4 oils sometimes provide better results than synthetic in terms of reducing notchiness. My personal experience is that the type of fluid itself doesn't matter as much as a properly adjusted clutch in the absence of damaged synchros.

I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Andy

 

[Denji]

Tell your friend to go crap in his hat (nicely of course). Although synthetics are slightly thinner, they do provide long lasting lubrication. If you weren't grinding before and aren't grinding now there are no issues. It should be said that as a transmission ages and the synchros and gears wear that thicker conventional GL-4 oils sometimes provide better results than synthetic in terms of reducing notchiness. My personal experience is that the type of fluid itself doesn't matter as much as a properly adjusted clutch in the absence of damaged synchros.

I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Andy

I dont think syncromesh i have is synthetic. Should i be having the synthetic? I have the standard pennzoil stuff that defiant wrote a review about.. which is why i got it.

Also, there is a slight metallic dust in the tranny fluid, however.. when i drained it before i put this stuff in it was there as well. I checked out the fluid a couple of minutes ago, looks a tad darker than when i put it in and a few particles of metallic dust.. other than that like new.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

I'll second that. I've been running synchromesh in my car since 99. Last year I had a set of LSD inserts installed and during this process I asked my buddy to look over the inside.....synchros, rails and forks (all of which are original), and he said they showed very little signs of wear.

That's good enough for me to keep using the stuff.

And I also agree, tell you friend to "have a nice day" and know in the back of your mind that he doesn't know what he's talking about in this case.

 

[andymoraitis]

Synthetic or non-synthetic isn't a big deal as long as it meets or exceeds the specs for our transmission (GL4 or GL5). As far as the metallic particles, synchros and gears do wear in the same manner than engine internals do. It's simply a byproduct of use. I get a small amount when I change mine out as well.

 

[Denji]

Thanks guys! Anyone from the forums knows im a compulsive worrier about my car. To be honest im just really protective because its the only perk I have while going to college....plus i love the damn thing, Ive never had a car that wasnt a DSM for 6 years now and i mantain it to an almost disturbing level.

P.S. syncromesh isn't GL-4 rated or GL-5 either.

 

[andymoraitis]

P.S. syncromesh isn't GL-4 rated or GL-5 either.

Like they say where I come from (New York): Don't mattah. If it didn't meet or exceed our specs, people would be blowing their transmissions up while using it. Since that's not the case, it's fine for our application. On a personal note, I've run Coastal 75W-90, Synchromesh and Redline MT and I can't tell a bit of difference between them. I just use the 75W-90 and call it a day. Here's the tech info on Synchromesh if anyone wants to refer to it:

http://www.pennzoil.com/products/gear_oil/syncro_fluid.html

 

[suicidal2af]

Synthetic or non-synthetic isn't a big deal as long as it meets or exceeds the specs for our transmission (GL4 or GL5). As far as the metallic particles, synchros and gears do wear in the same manner than engine internals do. It's simply a byproduct of use. I get a small amount when I change mine out as well.

FWIW, wret and I performed the clutch install from hell yesterday on my car, and when I drained my gear oil, which had about 15000 miles on it, there wasn't a single metallic spec to be found.

 

[Denji]

FWIW, wret and I performed the clutch install from hell yesterday on my car, and when I drained my gear oil, which had about 15000 miles on it, there wasn't a single metallic spec to be found.

so... i am guessing you are a proud user of syncromesh?

 

[suicidal2af]

so... i am guessing you are a proud user of syncromesh?

Absolutely. Wouldn't run a dsm without it, honestly.

 

[Defiant]

I'm still running it, too. Since it's all I've tried (other than whatever wound up in it from before I had the car), I don't know if it's "best". I've seen no reason to change.

 

[highpsi93tsi]

Does this stuff really make it possible to shift smoothly between gears with a bad 2nd gear syncro or is that just a myth? Iam having problems with 2nd gear and just recently 1st gear is taking a shit. Will pennzoil or GM syncromesh fix this or shoud I keep pressing on with my Galant VR4 tranny swap?

 

[Defiant]

There's no magic in bottles. How bad's your transmission now? Is it worth gambling $20 on a band-aid?