V160/161 gearbox oil.

[alex h]

Right then, here's hopefully the final nail in the coffin of anyone who thinks they can stick any old oil in the V160/161 6-speed gearbox.

I've, as you know just got a new Sup, it went for it's first fluid change at the weekend (Engine, Gearbox and Diff).

Firstly the other bits;
The Diff now has in Silkolene Syn 5 75w-90, the oil that came out was in good condition and no signs of having got too warm. No difference in it's performance since the change and so I think it had good oil in there.

The engine - now filled with Silkolene Pro S 10w50 - was getting an oil pressure light for a split second on start before the change tis now perfect - was prolly just little low. The oil that came out was Black but a clean shiney black if you know what I mean. No debris, petrol or other contaminents.

Then it was the turn of the gearbox. Problems to date. Now I know the V160/161 is clunky but even Superman couldn't get it into 2nd gear when cold. I'd have to use 1st and 3rd for the first 3-4mins and then I'd be able use 2nd just and only when it was hot would it work well.
Cracked open the inspection port (car was level on a ramp) and oil pissed out of the inspection/fill hole. 100-200ml's too much at least...and it was yellow/gold in colour. V160 oil is RED. I'm not sure if over filling could have been responsible for the crap change when cold but I do know it could have lead to me blowing a gearbox seal. Great . Next obviously the actual drain hole was opened and all the (thicker than V160) cr@p oil was flushed out. Replaced with V160 oil.

At ~?30 a can (you need 2) this stuff is not cheap but boy does it work. My gear change problem is gone. The gearbox is as swift and direct as I know them to be. Just fingers crossed that it's potential years of abuse won't have hurt it too much.

Manual 6-spd Supra's NEED V160 oil!!! DO NOT COMPROMISE!!!

V160 is a Toyota oil. Part No. 08885-01306

There is on possible alternative which I've not looked at.

ESSO Dexron D21065. <- But I cannot recommend it as I have no proof that it's the same stuff...but the Skyline R34 has (fundementally) the same gearbox and it uses the Esso oil...

[Martin F]

Overfilling gearboxes is a big no, no (how the hell do you do that to a manual box anyway ? )

Thus speaks the man who blew a nice smoke screen down the A12 in the MKIII then when checking the autobox realised some muppet had overfilled it !

[The Hornet]

Yeah I found out about a month ago after doing quite a bit of research that to be on the absolute safe side with the BOX oil, simply use the Toyota stuff. My local Toyota dealer was hopeless to say the least but Envy had some of the Toyota Type IV in stock and can get it quite easily

I'm also using the Silko Pro S 10w-50 and the same diff oil as Alex. Runs perfect.

I intend to change my, Engine, Gearbox, coolant and diff oil at least every 5k possibly more often for the engine oil. There's no harm in keeping fresh stuff in all the time

[alex h]

Yeah the auto oil is a little different (and not so bleedin' expensive&#33.

The frequency of the change shouldn't *need* to be anything like that. I believe the Diff oil will be ok for 30-60k miles...unless you track day it all the time. The gearbox oil...change it every 2 years possibly? It's only the engine oil you have to change regularly because it's exposed to contamination - from petrol and from dirt getting past the air intake filters. The Diff and Gearbox are sealed in so should be fine. Unless you cook the oil by driving too hard too often.

[The Hornet]

Yeah i know the figures, but I do tend to drive on the hard side mostly, and for time cost + time and effort its worth it for me. Plus me dad did a bulk buy on the diff & G.Box oil so got LOADS of it now and its not gonna hurt anything and gives me total Peace of mind

[Col]

I replaced whatever was is my gearbox with V160 and it made a massive difference. I didn't really know what to put in the engine so i justed asked for a good fully synthetic oil. They gave me Esso 5w 40 i think. It was funny watching the guy spilling oil all over the garage trying to remove the oil filter That thing must really be a pain to get too.