At Last, the definitive guide to oil for HURTH ZF gearboxes and its ATF

[Jcorstorphine]

I have recently being trying to sort out which oil to use in my Hurth HBW100 gearbox and have received this information from ZF in Germany which is a transcript from a larger document. The following oils are suitable for these gearboxes

List from ZF was dated Feb 2016.

ZF 4 to ZF 115 with all derived variants M, A, IV, C, TS, ATS, IVTS
HBW 35 to HBW 630,
HSW 90 to HSW 110,
HSW 125 to HSW 800 with all derived variants.

Ignore the ZF number at the end as that is the ZF approval number.

"RS200 MOTOR OIL" PAPANTONIOU S.A., LAKKOMA/GR ATF D-IIIG ZF000415
ADDINOL LUBE OIL GMBH, LEUNA/DE ADDINOL ATF D II E ZF000697
ADDINOL LUBE OIL GMBH, LEUNA/DE ADDINOL ATF D II D ZF000698
ADDINOL LUBE OIL GMBH, LEUNA/DE ADDINOL ATF D III ZF000699
ALEXANDRIA MINERAL OILS COMPANY, ALEXANDRIA/EG AMOC POWER ZF001702
ALEXANDRIA MINERAL OILS COMPANY, ALEXANDRIA/EG AMOC POWER PLUS ZF001703
ALLEGHENY PETROLEUM, WILMERDING, PA/US ALTRA SHL EXTENDED DRAIN ZF 20C ZF001756
AMALIE PETROQUIMICA, MADRID/ES ATF DEXRON III ZF001121
AMALIE PETROQUIMICA, MADRID/ES ATF DEXRON II ZF001128
AMSOIL, INC., SUPERIOR, WI/US TORQUE-DRIVE SYNTHETIC ATF ZF001841
ARAL AG, BOCHUM/DE ARAL GETRIEBEÖL ATF LD ZF000144
ARAL AG, BOCHUM/DE ARAL GETRIEBEÖL ATF 55 ZF000146
ARAL AG, BOCHUM/DE ARAL GETRIEBEÖL ATF 22 ZF000147
AVIA MINERALÖL-AG, MÜNCHEN/DE AVIA FLUID ATF 92 S ZF001066
AVISTA OIL REFINING & TRADING DEUTSCHLAN, UETZE/DE PENNASOL SUPER FLUID ATF 3000 ZF001881
AVISTA OIL REFINING & TRADING DEUTSCHLAN, UETZE/DE PENNASOL SUPER FLUID TYP P/CN ZF001894
BAYWA AG MÜNCHEN, MÜNCHEN/DE TECTROL ATF 4000 ZF001907
BAYWA AG MÜNCHEN, MÜNCHEN/DE TECTROL ATF 3000 ZF001908
BELGIN MADENI YAGLAR TIC. VE SAN. A.S., KOCAELI/TR LUBEX ATF-II ZF001031
BP PLC., LONDON/GB BP AUTRAN DX III ZF000194
BP PLC., LONDON/GB BP AUTRAN LTF ZF000195
BP PLC., LONDON/GB BP AUTRAN MBX ZF000196
BP PLC., LONDON/GB BP AUTRAN SYN 295 ZF000197
BUCHER AG LANGENTHAL, LANGENTHAL/CH ATF SUPER ZF000593
CASTROL LTD, LONDON/GB CASTROL TRANSMAX DEX III MULTIVEHICLE ZF000220
CASTROL LTD, LONDON/GB CASTROL TRANSMAX Z ZF000221
CASTROL LTD, LONDON/GB CASTROL ATF DEX II MULTIVEHICLE ZF000223
CASTROL LTD, LONDON/GB CASTROL TRANSYND ZF000226
CEPSA COMERCIAL PETRÓLEO, MADRID/ES CEPSA ATF 3000 S ZF000386
CEPSA COMERCIAL PETRÓLEO, MADRID/ES CEPSA ATF 2000 S ZF000670
CEPSA COMERCIAL PETRÓLEO, MADRID/ES CEPSA ATF 70 ZF001939
CHEVRON LUBRICANTS, SAN RAMON, CA/US HAVOLINE ATF MERCON V ZF000101
CHEVRON LUBRICANTS, SAN RAMON, CA/US TEXAMATIC B ZF001202
CHEVRON LUBRICANTS, SAN RAMON, CA/US SYNTHETIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID HEAVY DUTY ZF001219
CHEVRON LUBRICANTS, SAN RAMON, CA/US TEXAMATIC 4291 ZF001574
CHEVRON LUBRICANTS, SAN RAMON, CA/US DELO SYN ATF HD ZF001664
CHEVRON LUBRICANTS, SAN RAMON, CA/US HAVOLINE MULTI-VEHICLE ATF ZF001714
COMERCIAL ROSHFRANS, S.A. DE C.V., MEXICO, D.F./MX ATF ALLPOWER MULTIVEHICULOS ZF000385
DE OLIEBRON BV, ZWIJNDRECHT/NL TOR ATF DMM ZF001023
DEUTSCHE PENTOSIN WERKE GMBH, WEDEL/DE PENTOSIN ATF 1 ZF000734
DEUTSCHE PENTOSIN WERKE GMBH, WEDEL/DE PENTOSIN ATF IIIH ZF000783
ENI S.P.A., ROME/IT AGIP ATF II D ZF000925
ENI S.P.A., ROME/IT AGIP DEXRON III ZF000927
EUROL B.V., NJIVERDAL/NL EUROL ATF IIIF ZF000387
EXOL LUBRICANTS LTD, WEDNESBURY/GB AUTOTRANS ELC ZF001685
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL ATF 220 ZF000033
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL ATF D 21065 ZF000038
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL ATF SHC ZF000039
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL ATF 320 ZF000043
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL ATF LT 71141 ZF000044
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL DELVAC SYNTHETIC ATF ZF001234
EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, FAIRFAX, VA/US MOBIL DELVAC 1 ATF ZF001827
FABRIKA MAZIVA FAM AD, KRUŠEVAC/RS ATF DII ZF001187
FUCHS PETROLUB SE, MANNHEIM/DE FUCHS TITAN ATF 5005 ZF000717
FUCHS PETROLUB SE, MANNHEIM/DE FUCHS TITAN ATF 3000 ZF000720
FUCHS PETROLUB SE, MANNHEIM/DE FUCHS TITAN ATF 4000 ZF000728
FUCHS PETROLUB SE, MANNHEIM/DE FUCHS TITAN ATF 5500 ZF001797
GAZPROMNEFT-LUBRICANTS, MOSCOW/RU G-BOX ATF DXII ZF001955
GAZPROMNEFT-LUBRICANTS, MOSCOW/RU G-BOX ATF DX III ZF001956
GRUPA LOTOS S.A., GDANSK/PL LOTOS ATF II D ZF000362
GRUPA LOTOS S.A., GDANSK/PL LOTOS ATF SUPER III G ZF000620
GRUPA LOTOS S.A., GDANSK/PL LOTOS ATF II D ZF001043
GRUPA LOTOS S.A., GDANSK/PL LOTOS ATF IIIG ZF001093
GULF OIL INTERNATIONAL, MUMBAI/IN GULF ATF DX III H ZF000078
GULF OIL INTERNATIONAL, MUMBAI/IN GULF ATF DX II ZF001099
GULF OIL INTERNATIONAL, MUMBAI/IN GULF ATF PC ZF001349
HARMS MINERALÖLE, PRISDORF/DE OILFINO SPONTE ATF II ZF000736
HARMS MINERALÖLE, PRISDORF/DE OILFINO SPONTE ATF III ZF000737
HI-TEC OILS, SMITHFIELD/AU MULTITRANS PLUS ATF ZF001669
HUILES BERLIET S.A., SAINT-PRIEST/FR RTO STARMATIC 3 ZF001259
HUILES BERLIET S.A., SAINT-PRIEST/FR RTO STARMATIC S3 ZF001579
INA MAZIVA LTD., ZAGREB/HR INA ATF SUPER ZF000248
INA MAZIVA LTD., ZAGREB/HR INA ATF DX III ZF000390
INA MAZIVA LTD., ZAGREB/HR INA ATF DX IID ZF000392
INA MAZIVA LTD., ZAGREB/HR INA ATF EKSTRA ZF000410
INGRAX INDUSTRIA E COMERCIO DE GRAXA S/A, DUQUE DE CAXIAS/BR UNIMATIC D-II PLUS ZF000079
IPIRANGA PRODUTOS DE PETROLEO SA, RIO DE JANEIRO/BR ISAMATIC V ZF000896
KOCAK PETROL URUNLERI SAN.VE TIC.LTD.STI, KOCAELI/TR SPEEDOL ATF DEXRON II ZF000979
KOCAK PETROL URUNLERI SAN.VE TIC.LTD.STI, KOCAELI/TR ATF DEXRON S III ZF001388
KUWAIT PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL LUBRICANT, ANTWERP/NL Q8 AUTO 15 ED ZF000071
KUWAIT PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL LUBRICANT, ANTWERP/NL Q8 AUTO 15 ZF000082
KUWAIT PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL LUBRICANT, ANTWERP/NL Q8 AUTO 20 ZF000083
KUWAIT PETROLEUM INTERNATIONAL LUBRICANT, ANTWERP/NL Q8 AUTO 14 ZF000176
LUBRICATION ENGINEERS, INC., FORT WORTH, TEXAS/US LE 1150 ZF001676
MOL-LUB KFT, ALMASFUZITO/HU MOL ATF SYNT ZF001155
MOL-LUB KFT, ALMASFUZITO/HU MOL ATF 3G ZF001179
MOL-LUB KFT, ALMASFUZITO/HU MOL ATF ZF001251
MOL-LUB KFT, ALMASFUZITO/HU MOL ATF SYNT 3H ZF001895
MOTUL SA, AUBERVILLIERS/FR MOTUL DEXRON III ZF001008
MOTUL SA, AUBERVILLIERS/FR MOTUL DEXRON II D ZF001104
OMV PETROL OFISI A.S., ISTANBUL/TR ATF DX-3 ZF001667
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU OMV ATF S ZF000575
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF SYNTH HD ZF001125
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF SYNTH MULTI ZF001127
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF ZF001146
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF SYNTH MN Z3 ZF001302
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF IID ZF001759
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF III ZF001760
OOO "LLK-INTERNATIONAL", MOSCOW/RU LUKOIL ATF S ZF001782
ORLEN OIL SP. Z O.O., KRAKOW/PL HIPOL ATF II D ZF000081
ORLEN OIL SP. Z O.O., KRAKOW/PL HIPOL ATF II E ZF000501
OY TEBOIL AB, HELSINKI/FI TEBOIL FLUID ES-MAX ZF001726
PAKELO MOTOR OIL, SAN BONIFACIO (VR)/IT AUXON II E ZF000048
PAKELO MOTOR OIL, SAN BONIFACIO (VR)/IT DX FLUID II TS ZF000376
PAKELO MOTOR OIL, SAN BONIFACIO (VR)/IT ATF XT III FLUID ZF001177
PAKELO MOTOR OIL, SAN BONIFACIO (VR)/IT AUXON III PLUS ZF001466
PAKELO MOTOR OIL, SAN BONIFACIO (VR)/IT ATF XT III FLUID PLUS ZF001748
PANOLIN AG, MADETSWIL/CH PANOLIN ATF SUPER VTX ZF001218
PETRO-CANADA LUBRICANTS INC., MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO/CA HEAVY DUTY SYNTHETIC BLEND ATF ZF001236
PETROGAL S.A., LISBOA/PT GALP TRANSMATIC D II ZF000331
PETROGAL S.A., LISBOA/PT GALP TRANSMATIC D III ZF001425
PETROGAL S.A., LISBOA/PT GALP TRANSMATIC Z ZF001893
PETROMIN CORPORATION, JEDDAH/SA PETROMIN ATF Z20 ECO ZF001974
PETROMIN CORPORATION, JEDDAH/SA PETROMIN ATF Z20 LD ZF002003
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION ATF 120 ZF000053
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION GI/A ZF000308
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION STARFLUID ZF000309
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION GI/E ZF000481
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY AKROS MATIC ZF000485
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY ARBOR MTA ZF000486
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION STARFLUID HD-ED ZF000992
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION STARFLUID PS ZF000993
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS INTERNATIONAL SDN BH, KUALA LUMPUR/MY TUTELA TRANSMISSION ATF 90 ZF001599
PHI OIL GMBH, ST. GEORGEN/AT ATF D3 SILVER ZF001003
PRISTA OIL HOLDING EAD, RUSE/BG PRISTA ATF ZF000355
RALOY LUBRICANTES, S.A. DE C.V., SANTIAGO TIANGUISTEN/MX TRANSFLUID SYNTHETIC M-5 ZF001025
RAVENSBERGER SCHMIERSTOFFVERTRIEB GMBH, WERTHER/DE RAVENOL DEXRON F III ZF001112
RAVENSBERGER SCHMIERSTOFFVERTRIEB GMBH, WERTHER/DE RAVENOL DEXRON III H ZF001609
REPSOL LUBRICANTES Y ESPECIALIDADES, S.A, MADRID/ES REPSOL MATIC ATF ZF000022
REPSOL LUBRICANTES Y ESPECIALIDADES, S.A, MADRID/ES REPSOL MATIC ATF ZF000222
REPSOL LUBRICANTES Y ESPECIALIDADES, S.A, MADRID/ES REPSOL MATIC ATF ZF000224
REPSOL LUBRICANTES Y ESPECIALIDADES, S.A, MADRID/ES REPSOL MATIC III ZF000318
REPSOL LUBRICANTES Y ESPECIALIDADES, S.A, MADRID/ES REPSOL MATIC LD ATF ZF001751
RN-LUBRICANTS, LLC, MOSCOW/RU TNK ATF IID ZF001092
ROWE MINERALÖLWERK GMBH, WORMS/DE ROWE HIGHTEC ATF 9000 ZF001937
ROWE MINERALÖLWERK GMBH, WORMS/DE ROWE HIGHTEC ATF 8000 ZF001938
SASOL OIL, RANDBURG/ZA SYN TRANSMISSION OIL VI ZF001091
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM COMP. LTD, LONDON/GB SHELL SPIRAX S2 ATF AX ZF000374
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM COMP. LTD, LONDON/GB SHELL SPIRAX S6 ATF VM PLUS ZF001371
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM COMP. LTD, LONDON/GB SHELL SPIRAX S6 ATF VM ZF001463
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM COMP. LTD, LONDON/GB SHELL SPIRAX S6 ATF ZM ZF001483
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM COMP. LTD, LONDON/GB SPIRAX S4 ATF HDX ZF001812
SINOPEC LUBRICANT CO., LTD., BEIJING/CN SINOPEC GREATWALL ATF III LD ZF001360
SRS SCHMIERSTOFF VERTRIEB GMBH, SALZBERGEN/DE SRS WIOLIN ATF D ZF000438
SRS SCHMIERSTOFF VERTRIEB GMBH, SALZBERGEN/DE SRS WIOLIN ATF III ZF000439
STATOIL LUBRICANTS, STOCKHOLM/SE STATOIL TRANSWAY PS DX III ZF000487
STATOIL LUBRICANTS, STOCKHOLM/SE TRANSWAY ATF ULTRA ZF001330
STATOIL LUBRICANTS, STOCKHOLM/SE TRANSWAY ATF EXTRA ZF001332
TARIMSAN TARIM SAN. VE TIC. A.S, KOCAELI/TR TARMOND ATF II ZF000408
TEDEX S.A., WARSZAWA/PL TEDEX SYNTHETIC ATF ZF001279
TEDEX S.A., WARSZAWA/PL TEDEX ATF III ZF001350
TEXSA DO BRASIL LTDA, UMUARAMA/PR/BR TEXSA ATF SUPER ZF001207
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR ELF ELFMATIC G3 ZF001152
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR GULF ATF HIGH TECH ZF001257
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE XLD FE ZF001464
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDMATIC SYN ZF001569
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE AT 42 ZF001581
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR ELF ELFMATIC G3 SYN ZF001582
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE G3 ZF001663
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE II D ZF001668
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR ELF ELFMATIC G3 ZF001699
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE II D ZF001723
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE II D ZF001724
TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS S.A., NANTERRE/FR TOTAL FLUIDE II D ZF001725
UNIL OPAL, SAUMUR/FR MATIC DX III ZF001010
UNIL OPAL, SAUMUR/FR MATIC D ZF001071
VALVOLINE EMEA, DORDRECHT/NL VALVOLINE HEAVY DUTY ATF PRO ECO ZF001871
VALVOLINE EMEA, DORDRECHT/NL VALVOLINE HEAVY DUTY ATF PRO LD ZF001872
VALVOLINE EMEA, DORDRECHT/NL VALVOLINE HEAVY DUTY ATF PRO ZF001873
YACCO SAS, ST PIERRE LES ELBEUF/FR ATF III ZF001610
YORK LUBRICANTS - GINOUVES SAS, LA GARDE/FR YORK 787 ZF000597
ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN/DE ZF-LIFEGUARDFLUID 5 ZF001363
ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN/DE ZF ECOFLUID A LIFE ZF001671

 

[vyv_cox]

It would be interesting to know how regularly that list is updated. I cannot speak for any other oil manufacturers but the composition of Shell grades has changed markedly over the years. The current Tellus range differs enormously from what it was 20 years ago, for example. This has led to some incompatibility problems even within the Shell catalogue.

 

[Bobc]

So any ATF basically then.

 

[Hydrozoan]

So any ATF basically then.

I use so little that when my last bottle ran out (IIRC it was D-II grade) I was a bit disconcerted (thinking of the engine oil debates) to find only D-III – which I ended up using, and which seems fine from that list.

I gather from Wiki that there is no Dexron D-IV grade (it was never approved by GM), though there is a D-VI which is of slightly lower viscosity than D-III when new, but with lower permitted viscosity loss from shearing in use – so the allowed final viscosity is the same. But (unless I missed a D-VI) I see only D-III in the list, so perhaps D-VI is not recommended?

 

[Plevier]

I use so little that when my last bottle ran out (IIRC it was D-II grade) I was a bit disconcerted (thinking of the engine oil debates) to find only D-III – which I ended up using, and which seems fine from that list.

I gather from Wiki that there is no Dexron D-IV grade (it was never approved by GM), though there is a D-VI which is of slightly lower viscosity than D-III when new, but with lower permitted viscosity loss from shearing in use – so the allowed final viscosity is the same. But (unless I missed a D-VI) I see only D-III in the list, so perhaps D-VI is not recommended?

Technically Dexron ll and lll no longer exist - GM who own the names and technical authority have discontinued support. However equivalent of Dlll is readily available from any car shop under lots of names.
I understand that DVl is not recommended for mechanical clutch gearboxes - too slippery. I cannot quote you gospel but believe this is why VP changed to specifying engine oil instead of ATF for gearboxes and saildrives, in case anyone used DVl instead of Dll or Dlll.
You aren't likely to buy DVl by mistake, I don't think it's widely seen on accessory shop shelves and is very expensive.

(Incidentally for the SD10 saildrive, in a manual I have dated Sep 2011, ZF specify 15/40 engine oil. I think that also used to have ATF specified.)

 

[Hydrozoan]

... I understand that DVl is not recommended for mechanical clutch gearboxes - too slippery. I cannot quote you gospel but believe this is why VP changed to specifying engine oil instead of ATF for gearboxes and saildrives, in case anyone used DVl instead of Dll or Dlll.
You aren't likely to buy DVl by mistake, I don't think it's widely seen on accessory shop shelves and is very expensive.

Yes, that was what I suspected, and why I responded to Bobc's 'So any ATF basically then' comment - though I agree you'd have to go out of your way (and pocket!) for D-VI.

 

[Jcorstorphine]

It would be interesting to know how regularly that list is updated. I cannot speak for any other oil manufacturers but the composition of Shell grades has changed markedly over the years. The current Tellus range differs enormously from what it was 20 years ago, for example. This has led to some incompatibility problems even within the Shell catalogue.

The list was dated Feb 2016. If anyone would like a copy of the full document which covers many of the other gearboxes, send me a PM with their email address and I will reply with a copy of the full pdf document.

PS At the moment I am sitting with a bottle of Halfords fully synthetic ATF on my desk and I am still in a quandary. Problem with Halfords own brand is there is no provenance in terms of use in a marine gearbox so I am still concerned.

 

[VicS]

PS At the moment I am sitting with a bottle of Halfords fully synthetic ATF on my desk and I am still in a quandary.

Its ATF. ATF is what is called for ! What's the problem?

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Its ATF. ATF is what is called for ! What's the problem?

To some extent its an age thing, not the oil, me!

When you read through the many postings there have been on this and many other sailing and marine forums, there are warnings of issues with the clutch plates slipping when using ATF Synthetic oil and that is what I have.

My other concern is that there are stories of oil seal problems when changing from straight mineral oil to synthetic oil and my gearbox is 18 years old but has only had about 7 years actual use since 2009.

However, in the list above there are oils mentioned which are fully synthetic so I may just bite the bullet.

 

[superheat6k]

Oil incompatibility with elastomer O rings is not a problem that shows itself immediately, and this is a problem well known and documented within the refrigeration industry.

A typical nitrile O ring will absorb mineral oil, but not certain synthetics. So what ?

Well an O ring that has been in contact for many years with mineral oil will likely have absorbed some. When the oil is changed only the free oil drains out, leaving that absorbed into the O ring where it is. However, over a period of time as the synthetic oil meets the O ring it tends to leech out the traces of mineral oil the O ring had absorbed, but the synthetic does replace this oil, with the result that the O ring disintegrates into a snotty mess, and leaks then develop.

This was a widespread problem in extensive systems that for instance supermarkets use, and 6 - 18 months after oil change the problems of leakage became obvious. The oils had to be changed due to the nature of the newer HFC gases that replaced the now banned CFCs / HCFCs (R12 / R22), which are not compatible with mineral base lubricants.

Therefore returning to the subject of what ATF to use, then it may pay to avoid a synthetic in a box always previously filled with mineral base ATF, if an alternative mineral base remains available.

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Oil incompatibility with elastomer O rings is not a problem that shows itself immediately, and this is a problem well known and documented within the refrigeration industry.

A typical nitrile O ring will absorb mineral oil, but not certain synthetics. So what ?

Well an O ring that has been in contact for many years with mineral oil will likely have absorbed some. When the oil is changed only the free oil drains out, leaving that absorbed into the O ring where it is. However, over a period of time as the synthetic oil meets the O ring it tends to leech out the traces of mineral oil the O ring had absorbed, but the synthetic does replace this oil, with the result that the O ring disintegrates into a snotty mess, and leaks then develop.

This was a widespread problem in extensive systems that for instance supermarkets use, and 6 - 18 months after oil change the problems of leakage became obvious. The oils had to be changed due to the nature of the newer HFC gases that replaced the now banned CFCs / HCFCs (R12 / R22), which are not compatible with mineral base lubricants.

Therefore returning to the subject of what ATF to use, then it may pay to avoid a synthetic in a box always previously filled with mineral base ATF, if an alternative mineral base remains available.

Thank you for the post on oil seals which was my main worry. I can see the logic of keeping to the same oil type so will be changing my bottle of Halfords fully synthetic to straight ATF.

 

[macboatmaster]

The full ZF oil list
https://www.zf.com/corporate/en_de/...s/lists_of_lubricants/lists_of_lubricants.jsp