Possible ATF alternative

[andyp_fto]

Hello everybody...........

Not wanting to tread on toes or upset 'conventional thinking' as a relative newcomer but...

I have been restoring/repairing/servicing etc etc FTOs for twenty years plus and have owned around thirty in that time and 'serviced' those of friends and they use the fWD F5A42/F4A42 INVECS II gearbox a relative of the VR4s.

As far as ATF goes I have been using and had no problems with the fluid I have bought from my local factors (exact type to follow as for the love of me it escapes my old brain at the moment and I'm at work!) which is supposedly recommended for models requiring a 'High friction' fluid including Hyundai and Mitsubishi but it doesn't mention 'Diaqueen' or which models.

However now I am mixing with the 'big boys' (and girls) with more power being generated as well as the load of heavier car and 4WD I thought I'd revisit ATFs for the 'Tip' INVECs box in my VR4.

I have stumbled across MPM HFM which states it is designed for Aisin Warner transmissions and cites being 'Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II/Diamond SP-III Specification' (the later name for DiaQueen IIRC).

So question is has anybody else used this ATF or interested in how it goes when I try it?

I have been quoted £35 for 4 Litres which seems reasonable so ordered 20 to try.....

Like I said not looking to upset the die hard AMSoil followers just thought it wouldn't hurt to revisit things years later.

82887

[adaxo]

I like amsoil as it was recommended to me about 10 years ago and I use only this since, engine oil keeps engine internals exceptionally clean also seen abuse (well did couple track laps with it) and it serve well, also gearbox oil been used here since I remember and do well, even 'cure' couple boxes where owners **** themselves thinking box is scrap and it was much better 'fixed' by simply switch to amsoil.
Regarding this MPM oils, I would happily put it in my box as its meet 'Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II/Diamond SP-III Specification' which AFAIK only handful oils meet, so we, well you, may find cheaper alternative to AMSoil, well done and looking forward for your findings.

[TAR]

I agree with Adam and have used Amsoil for years without issue and know it's good for our cars. This is why we recommend it.

I hope you've found an equally good ATF which will provide an alternative option for owners.
:happy:

[Louis]

Hi,
I am also a believer in Amsoil lol! :)

if poss can you put up the spec like operating temperatures etc.

There are cheaper ATF that meet the standard and state they are designed for Mitsubishi and are replacement for SP-III, but many people want to upgrade the fluid to aid the working and the lifespan of the autobox.

[Confused]

I've used Mitsubishi genuine SP-III, Millers, and CarLube in mine in the past, and all have done the job reasonably well.

I did, however, fit a gearbox oil cooler almost immediately after buying the car, and I think this has helped the non-Amsoil fluids in my case. If you're running without an extra cooler...


But... I have been a passenger in a car that's had regular use with Amsoil, and it's just that little bit better. I think I'm going to be an Amsoil convert when I get mine back on the road...


The Amsoil MTF in my Anglia's Nissan 200SX gearbox has eliminated the whine I had from the gearbox...

[Amonlym]

Property | Amsoil | MPM | Millers
40c Visc | 38.5 | 35.6 | 35.0
100c Vis | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.4
Visc Idx | 165 | 212 | 185
Visc -40 | 9755 |12000 | ???
Flash pt | 234 |>200 | 200
Pour pt | -53 | ??? | -42


Millers in mine works fine, but without an oil cooler and with a high idle issue for a while the oil is between red and brown after ~20k

<edit> Im an idiot and i cant type. fixed MTM = MPM

[andyp_fto]

Property | Amsoil | MTM | Millers
40c Visc | 38.5 | 35.6 | 35.0
100c Vis | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.4
Visc Idx | 165 | 212 | 185
Visc -40 | 9755 |12000 | ???
Flash pt | 234 |>200 | 200
Pour pt | -53 | ??? | -42


Millers in mine works fine, but without an oil cooler and with a high idle issue for a while the oil is between red and brown after ~20k

Just checked the fact sheet on this stuff I've just found out about: MPM HFM and the figures are EXACTLY the same as those you list for 'MTM'...(not familiar with it) so possibly the same product...

If so do we think £35 for 4 Litres is reasonable??

[Amonlym]

Just checked the fact sheet on this stuff I've just found out about: MPM HFM and the figures are EXACTLY the same as those you list for 'MTM'...(not familiar with it) so possibly the same product...

If so do we think £35 for 4 Litres is reasonable??

typo, sorry - MTM was meant to be MPM.

I cant comment - i paid 135 for 25L of millers, but theres a big saving as you get bigger containers! table was to reply to louis :)

[Nick Mann]

The main difference years ago, if I remember correctly, was that AMSOIL was fully synthetic with cleaning additives. At the time it was the only SPIII compliant oil that met those criteria. Therefore it could help boxes with tarnished friction plates and it also coped far better with the generated heat.