Thanks for the info (that gives me comfort that SAF is going to be OK to run in my car). I get the impresssion that XJ is for (conventional) LSD's and XO for non LSD's. As the S2K limited slip diff works using gears and not friction plates I assumed that XO is the right choice here (Castrol Technical confirmed this). XJ is probably OK too, just a bit heavier than needed maybe.

 

This seems logical, the Honda spec is going to take into account all climates and as its a bit colder here than in some other places its possibly a good idea to go a bit lighter or use a multigrade. Anyway, "you pays your money and you takes your choice" and I'm going for the Castrol SAF-XO

EDIT:
Quote from Castrol (http://www.geo-broughton.co.uk/produ...o-product.html )

Castrol SAF-XO replaces Castrol G728 and is suitable for other applications where a high performance API GL5 lubricant is specified.

PERFORMANCE

API Service Level GL5

MAN 342 SL Approved back axles
Scania STO:1 Approved
Alpina Approved
BMW Approved
ZF TE-ML 05B and 12B Approved

EDIT2:
The reasons why a multigrade is better:http://www.wearcheck.com/literature/...WZA007.htm#pg2

 

My S was making an odd whining noise which increased/decreased in severity as I put the clutch in or out - it was the same whether the car was in gear or not and likewise stationary or moving, although when moving it was not so easy to hear.

anyway, I went to my dealer about it and I dropped it off Monday morning this week for them to check it out (still in warranty at 21 months old)

today they called me to let me know that they are changing the gearbox and diff oil.

I was informed that Honda MTF would be used in the gearbox but the guy I was talking to was unable to identify what diff oil would be used - I have asked him to let me know as soon as he finds out and I have sent him a link to this thread too for good measure.

 

Symptoms sound like the clutch release bearing....?

 

I did a bit of reasearch on this with a number of companies recently which included some european databases and this was what I came up with.

Castrol
Diff EPX 80w-90
Gearbox SMX-S

Oats (UK Database)
Diff sae 90 GL5
Gearbox Honda MTF II

Motul
Diff 80w-90 GL5
Gearbox 75w-80

Olyslager (European Database)
Diff sae 90 GL5
Gearbox MTF94

Fuchs
Diff sae 90 GL5
Gearbox 75w-90 GL4

Silkolene
Diff 75w-90 GL5
Gearbox 75w-90 GL4

In summary, it would be better to use the same product in both as long as it's a 75w-90 GL4 and GL5 which would mean that it meets both gearbox GL4 and Diff GL5.

Something like this product would be fine:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/TechSpecs/SILKTR...204%20Wheel.pdf

Alternatively you could use a GL4 75w-90 for the gearbox and a limited slip GL5 sae 90 for the diff.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/TechSpecs/titan%...r%20ls%2090.pdf


Hope this helps.

Cheers
Simon

 

Hi folks

Got an email from Honda Techincal regarding Diff oil and the use of 75W90, 80W90 etc is ok and even 75W-140. Here is a copy of the email:

Hello, Mr Sharma, one of my colleagues has requested that I send you some information regarding differential oil for your S2000.

I have attached the specification sheet for the vehicle from the Shop Manual and you will see the recommended lubricant is API classification GL5,or GL6, viscosity SAE 90.

In most dealerships oil is provided directly by an oil manufacturer in bulk, and Honda applies no restrictions to this activity. Naturally installing the correct grade is the compulsory requirement.

As an example Castrol make several types of hypoid oil to suit different purposes, the most common road car use would be Castrol Hypoy LS. This is a Mineral based, SAE 90 extreme pressure gear oil designed to cope with the special friction characteristics of limited slip differentials fitted to road going cars. Alternatively they make an EPX80w-90 mineral product, again a limited slip differential oil where GL5 performance level is stipulated. Both the above grades are compliant with Honda specifications as are the more expensive Castrol SAF-XJ, a fully synthetic SAE 75w-140 lubricant formulated for both conventional and limited slip differentials and Syntrax SAE75w-90.

Other manufacturers produce similar products, including Shell, who make a product called Spirax A, a GL5 SAE 45w-140,

This website has some useful information.....www.castrol.co.uk

(See attached file: S2000 oils.doc)

Best regards

Mike Prother
UK QIC Executive

 

One last email from them as I queried the use of 75W140 and here is what they said:

Mr Sharma,

the SAF-XJ is capable of maintaining viscosity at a higher temperature than the normal SAE90 and is not detrimental to the differential operation. In our experience some S2000 owners attend Track days and performance meetings inevitably inducing more heat than might normally be expected on the public highway. The extra protection given by SAF-XJ under these conditions is therefore beneficial. It would be prudent however not to use this oil for a prolonged period as its normal viscous state is thicker than the the SAE90.

Incidently , our records show no differential failures due to irregular oil content since the car was introduced. There have been one or two cases of 'lack of oil' but that has been attributed to a leak not being identified quickly enough.

Best Regards

Mike Prother
UK QIC Executive

 

Hi Guys,

PLEASE HELP!

I am really fcuked off by this today and it's one more hassle I could really be doing without.

I have my car booked in this Friday for a dif/gearbox oil change and for a re-grease and tighted of my hub nuts (don't get me started on that they didn't have a clue about it).

On the dif oil and gearbox oil front my dealer did not have the slightest idea (they couldn't even tell me what spec oil they would put in - Howards Honda Taunton).

I phoned HondaUK but 4 hours later still no call and I am not holding my breath.

I know that Rahula has spoken to them but there seems to be so much conflicting info on the S2Ki forums.

I therfore want to supply my own and have just been down to the local motor factor.

I just want to ensure that want I intend to put in is going to do the job as it should do!

For the dif I have purchased (1 litre)

Valvoline HP GL-5 SAE 80w-90 Gear Oil (which states that it is a hypoid high performance gear oil)

For the Gear box I have purchased (3 x 500 ml, apparently the gearbox takes 1.48 litres)

Comma EP80w90 GL4 gear oil (I was told that GL5 has higher levels of sulpher) - it states that it is suitable for cars, trucks and agricultural equipment where GL4 80, 90 or 80/90 is specified

All in it cost me

 

[QUOTE=Rafael,Apr 6 2005, 12:05 PM] For the dif I have purchased (1 litre)

Valvoline HP GL-5 SAE 80w-90 Gear Oil (which states that it is a hypoid high performance gear oil)

For the Gear box I have purchased (3 x 500 ml, apparently the gearbox takes 1.48 litres)

Comma EP80w90 GL4 gear oil (I was told that GL5 has higher levels of sulpher) - it states that it is suitable for cars, trucks and agricultural equipment where GL4 80, 90 or 80/90 is specified

All in it cost me

 

Thanks for the reply Rahula.

Having looked a bit further and spoken to a couple of other suplliers they say that I should use.

http://www.valvolineeurope.com/index.asp?p...290a51d44120d57

It's part syntehtic and can handle more load than the mineral

In both the dif an gear box.

The reason they state is that the dif requires the better lubrication as it hanles the more intense loads and it will only over lubricate the gearbox (which isn't a bad thing!)

Would you agree

Also I can get a 5 litre container for