calling on Road Rage, Honda messes with diff fluid once again
Thread Starter
Former Moderator
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,686
Likes: 0
From: Yorba Linda, CA
went back in today walked up to parts counter and asked for diff fluid for a s2k. He said that i needed the special 80w90 that comes from the motorcycle division and that he could order it. I explained my situation and he assured me that the mechanics have a bulk drum that they use for all service of 80w90 gl-5 so looks like they did put that fluid in. Is it still bad to have mostly synthetic and a minimal amount of this in my diff?
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 2
From: Used Jersey
I use the fluid at my Acura dealer. Its used for Legends and RL's. Its GL-5 90 weight. Not sure what brand or who makes it but I have had my diff drained and filled many time with it since the 4.44 install. So far so good.
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
The car manual and Helm service manual specify straight 90w. From what RoadRage has written (can find in "The Oil Journals" at top of this forum), straight 90w offers much better protection than the best multi-grade unless you are in a pretty cold environment.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 2
From: Midlothian
If ii were me, i would ask to see the "bulk" container so i could determine what had been put in my diff. Write doewn everything - mfr, partno, etc. and we should be able to track it and figure out what it is.
revhi: Have you seen the 90w drum at your Acura dealer? Can you provide data?
razorv3: None of the multi-vis oils thickens to 90w - they just resist thinning in a manner characteristic of a thicker oil, assuming the polymeric thickeners are still in one chain.
Here are the facts:
90w is ISO 220
Here are comparable premium 75w90's:
At 40degC:
Amsoil: 113 this is high ISO 100 - low 150
Mobil1: 110 this is high ISO 100 - low 150
LE-607 235 this is ISO 220
At 100degC:
Amsoil: 15.7
Mobil1: 15.2
LE-607: 20.96
I doubt a little "thinner" oil added to the diff should cause you any worry - if they added 80w90, it is likely better anyway, as it will have less polymeric thickener and be more consistent over the temp range it is used, assuming it is a synoil. Who knows what they used? If it is just a common 80w90 mineral oil, there are some good ones, and it is compatible with Mobil1, but why use M1 in the first place when you can have the real deal? Goold ol' American 90w. It like 000 buckshot vs. birdshot. Depends on the type of game you are hunting.
revhi: Have you seen the 90w drum at your Acura dealer? Can you provide data?
razorv3: None of the multi-vis oils thickens to 90w - they just resist thinning in a manner characteristic of a thicker oil, assuming the polymeric thickeners are still in one chain.
Here are the facts:
90w is ISO 220
Here are comparable premium 75w90's:
At 40degC:
Amsoil: 113 this is high ISO 100 - low 150
Mobil1: 110 this is high ISO 100 - low 150
LE-607 235 this is ISO 220
At 100degC:
Amsoil: 15.7
Mobil1: 15.2
LE-607: 20.96
I doubt a little "thinner" oil added to the diff should cause you any worry - if they added 80w90, it is likely better anyway, as it will have less polymeric thickener and be more consistent over the temp range it is used, assuming it is a synoil. Who knows what they used? If it is just a common 80w90 mineral oil, there are some good ones, and it is compatible with Mobil1, but why use M1 in the first place when you can have the real deal? Goold ol' American 90w. It like 000 buckshot vs. birdshot. Depends on the type of game you are hunting.