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I finally got around to changing the engine oil and filter on the '73 Series III '88' I acquired this past fall. I used 20W-50 Castrol. I'm considering tackling the various other oil changes - main gearbox, transfer box, rear differential - as the Rover sat dormant out in the elements for at least three years before I got it. Can anyone tell me if the same 20W-50 works at these locations as well, or otherwise? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Everything other than the engine and the air filter requires 90wt gear oil.Bad gas mileage gets you to some of the greatest places on earth. -
You really need to invest in a service manual. The "Green Bible" is a good starting place. These are available from various sources on the web, including ebay. There are many orifices that need regular attention on a Series vehicle. If it's been more than three years since all of these lubrication areas were addressed you should make this an immediate priority. You probably have critical areas without lubricant.Comment
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As far as gear oil goes, good luck finding 90wt here in the US. I purchased this 80-90wt from Amazon by the case - since everything but the engine takes it, you'll use the case.
Brad Penn Gear Oil
From their website explaining why the GL-4 should be used instead of the new GL-5 stuff on all the auto parts shelves.
The SAE 80W-90 is specially blended using high quality PennGrade mineral base stocks and select additive technologies. It is designed to be used with "yellow" metallurgy (brass, bronze, copper) and with "soft" metals used in synchronizers, bushings, thrust washers and other components typically found in classic manual transmissions and transaxles. In applications specifying API GL-4 quality lubricants, use of API GL-5 lubricants with higher extreme pressure additive activity / concentration can damage these "soft" metal components.
ColinComment
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Sage advice... While you have a Series 3, this instruction manual is acurate for a series3 and describes the process of performing routine maintenance. Including the services you describe.1968 Series IIa
1997 Defender SW (Original Owner - Sold)Comment
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Get a garden sprayer and fill it with your gear oil. Cut the spray tip off and use the wand to fill the various ports on your axles and diffs and gearboxes. I only fill it half way since you rarely need more than a half gallon and you can build pressure that will last through the whole fill process instead of petering out. Hate crawling under the truck and then having to crawl out just to pump up the sprayer.
PS Buy your 90wt in bulk...like in gallon or larger sizes. I have a 5 gallon pail I got from the JD tractor store. I think Walmart also has the big pails.
You will change the fluids often enough that it makes sense.Comment
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GL4 is not that difficult to find. Napa sells Sta-Lube GL4 85W90 gear oil (http://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/SLRSL24239/). I walked into my local Napa here in Dallas and bought 2 gallons. it is manufactured by CRC and also sold through Sears and online at eBay and Amazon. I have also used Amsoil GL4 75W90 synthetic (https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...r-lube-75w-90/), but it leaked more than the dino oil so I went back to the Sta-Lube. You can obtain Amsoil just about anywhere. I bought it online directly from Amsoil. I believe our hosts may also sell it, although make sure it is the GL4 spec and not the GL5 intended for more modern manual gearboxes.
David
ETA - I forgot to mention that Red Line sells a 75W90 GL4 synthetic as well that can be sourced from many different locations (http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46).Comment
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GL-4 isn't hard to find, straight 90W GL-4 is all but impossible.
ColinComment
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I've always liked good old Amazon... I think our hosts carry it too - but not sure they ship it.1968 Series IIa
1997 Defender SW (Original Owner - Sold)Comment
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My local Carquest carries straight 90W GL4 by the gallon FWIW.1969 IIA - Tan
1969 IIA - BlueComment
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Consider yourself lucky. Do an internet search for it. Good luck. There's so many posts that'll turn up going back 5 or more years with people asking where on Earth can straight 90W GL-4 be purchased. I've done that search many times and have spent too much time looking for it. My local feed store doesn't carry it, can't get it, no auto parts stores in the Denver area have it, either. Can't order it online. I went with 80w-90 and had to order it. Can't even find that in the GL-4 spec in Denver.
This is, of course, just my experience. For those that can get it easily, I envy you.
ColinComment
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Colin - here's an online option. With an Amazon Prime account, even easier....1968 Series IIa
1997 Defender SW (Original Owner - Sold)Comment
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Hi Colin,
I just checked the web site of the Napa parts store on N. 23rd Street in Denver, and they have Sta-Lube 85W90 GL4 gear oil "available in store". There are also two other Napa stores listed in Denver. GL4 gear oil is not difficult to find. You may not be able to find straight 90W, but 85W90 works well.
DavidComment
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