Rotax Gearbox Lube

[CLS447]

I went to Auto Zone & Pep Boys yesterday To look at lube.

Price is no object....What do you like ?

There was Mobil 1....75/90 & 85/140
Royal Purple 75/90
Lucas 75/90 & 85/140
Valvoline Regular
Valvoline Durablend 75/90 & 85/140

Which would you use ?

The Rotax gearbox manual calls out for the 85/140 GL5/6. I got different opinions from the Rotax dealers.

Thanks

[GyroRon]

I would get which ever one is the most expensive, because that would mean it is the best.



no.... seriously, I would use any one of them. Bought the Vavoline Durablend stuff to use in my Gearbox I put on the Yamaha engine. But have used plain jane 80/90 weight gear oil for years in past gearboxes with no problems

[CLS447]

Why that weight ?

Do you EVER believe that..."YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"....Shmartass ?

[GyroRon]

I used 80/90 weight because that is what the Rotax service center that everyone in my neck of the woods used reccommended.

I even bought 80/90 weight Durablend stuff a week or two ago for my Yamaha/rotax gearbox, then went back and returned it to get the 85/140 weight stuff because I saw the manual on the gearbox called for that weight instead.

As far as " Do you EVER believe that..."YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"....Shmartass ?" My answer is yes. I know that a 60$ portaband saw from Harbor Freight is not going to be as durable or long lasting as the 360$ one that looks just like it that Milwalkie sells.... I know that a 20$ cordless drill from Harbor freight is not going to work as good as a 220$ Dewalt drill..... I also tend to believe ( with no scientic evidence, just gut feelings ) that 1$ a quart no name oils such as " Warren " may not be as good as any name brand oil. So I would like to buy at least name brand oil. But do I think that Lucas or Mobile 1 or Royal Purple is markedly better oil because of the higher price, no. No more so then I think that putting premium gas in a car that is designed to run on regular gas is better. I think that as Americans, we have become used to the mindset that if it costs more it must be better and the oil companies take full advantage of that.

I guess my post could have been seen as being smartassed, but wasn't intended to be. You said " Price no object " But we are only taking about 5$ or so price difference... And one bottle of gear oil is enough for 3-5 fills of the gearbox, so this one bottle may last for years. Why would 5$ be a object to anyone? Wouldn't most people get what they think is the best?

[mark treidel]

Chris, I have used Mobil 1 85/140 full synthetic in the C box of my 582 trike for the last 500 hours. To this day, its still almost as clean coming out as it is going in. I change it every 100 hours. Just keep a careful eye on the mag-plug.

[CLS447]

Ron, I don't use the little smiley faces. When, I seem to be a wise ass, I am only ever joking ! We are all friends here, I hope!

Anyway.....85/140 it will be !

Thanks Mark & Ron ! I was trying to get a feel for what others use. I had enough of the Mobil 1 left but is was the 75/90. I want to use what Rotax recommends.

That said , it ends up to be the most expensive stuff anyway!

Mobil1 75/90.....$8.99 a QT.
Mobil1 85/140....$16.99 a QT

And that is that ! Besides , I have $40 credit at Auto Zone

[GyroRon]

To be clear, I have well over 1000 hours flying Rotax. I have always used 80/90 weight gear oil, just regular grade oil. I am GOING TO BE using the 85/140 weight oil now, because that is what I found in the book as the suggested oil.

[CLS447]

We should take Rotax advice. Well...................I am glad we got that all cleared up!

I am sorry if this little discussion was anoying to anyone.

Now we all know exactly what gear lube we should consider using....or not ?

Man ....I am having trouble finding 1/4" & 5/16th" barb x barb brass 90s ! I am on a mission today. I have already checked Auto zone, pep boys & Grainger.

What a PITA !