BW 35 transmission oil

[RichardF]

I was just about to top up my BW35 auto box with the ATF-Q oil I purchased from JR Wadhams, when I noticed "Dexron 2" on the can. This stopped me in my tracks as advice etc in these pages (and others) says not to use dexron 2 or 3 oil in the BW35. A phone call to Jonathan of Wadhams suggested I call "Carlube", the source of the oil. They in turn said that technically speaking I should perhaps use the ATF-G oil but, as this was very close in specs to the ATF-Q oil I have, there should be no problem in using it. On this info, I am about to change the oil and will use what Wadhams have sent me. I will keep you posted.

RichardF
Southampton

[Keith - Portsmouth]

I got some atf for my BW 35 box from my local factors and they offered me Comma's AQM - which is a Dexron II fluid. A lengthy discussion ensued with the Comma rep on the phone as well. Everyone except the Comma rep and me were absolutely convinced that AQM had superceded the non-Dexron AQF and "nobody used AQF and they hadn't stocked it for several years". With a little bit of pressure though, they did order me 10litres of Comma's AQF.

[Phil Nottingham]

I always use Comma AQF and find it easy to obtain - I do not know what the Dexron additive is but if its the same as non-Dexron why have 2 versions been offerred for the 50 odd years?

[Smallfry]

Here is what I have been looking for..........

As usual those who should know better, don't !

Its a bit long, but for Ford M2C 33 , read ATF. The correct spec oil for the BW35.

You have been warned !

At the bottom of this page click on the pdf document for Transmax M.

www.castrol.com/castrol/multipleproductsection.do?categoryId=9000158&contentId=7000379

[Phil Nottingham]

The link does work and as it says or implies Dexron is no good for Ford/BW35 gearboxes and it would seem to give rise to cluch slip which may not be noticeable in a good box but an older one would probably start slipping which would eventually ruin it

[RichardF]

Thanks for the info Smallfry and you other guys - much appreciated. Back to the drawing board for me. However, a questions remains and that is how many other P5b owners are using the carlube ATF-Q from JR Wadhams?

Regards to all

RichardF
Southampton

[carel santman]

Does this mean that I need Castrol TQF oil for my P5b coupe? (as said in the link above)
I did just refresh the oil with Dexron 2 oil.

[Phil Nottingham]

Drain it then (twice at least) non Dexron is the correct stuff

[Smallfry]

The upshot of it is that........

While it will work, it is slowly but surely ruining the gearbox.

I worked in the agricultural industry for many years and I learned a lot about oil, and remembered this problem coming up a long time ago when the gearboxes were still current. I couldn't remember exactly why, but reading this jogged my memory.

No doubt the specialists have just been told by the oil company sales rep that its OK......when it obviously isnt ! But as specialists.....no matter what the field......I feel that knowledge is sadly lacking. Its a shame that people rely on them so much for assistance.

The vendors always got away with it because it did not cause an immediate failure, but one has to wonder how many gearboxes suffered a premature failure because of it. Dont you all remember how, at one time, you would be advised to avoid an auto like the plague ?

[carel santman]

I found this morning ATF FORD esp-m2c-33F/G gearbox oil.
It also says on the can:Ford M2C 33 F/G , Ford SQM-2C9007-AA , Leyland E , Borg Warner.

Is this the right oil??

I hope I will have an answer this afternoon because I have to order it this afternoon and need to change the oil before I go for a long drive halfway next week.

Thanks in advance for your answer.

[Phil Nottingham]

Yes thats the one

[Smallfry]

I agree with Phil. You can pour it in with confidence !

Anything that has Ford M2C 33 F or G on the label is correct.

[carel santman]

Thanks for your quick answer. I ordered 12 litres so I can change the oil twice this weekend.

[Phil Nottingham]

If more owners shared their own knowlege and experience however apparently trivial to them and possibly to other readers, less mistakes like the Dexron ATF would happen

[Keith - Portsmouth]

This is also discussed at length in another thread, roverp5.proboards31.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1123194496&page=2
where the suggestion was made that if a box is newly rebuilt then the friction materials will be more modern the the original and therefore a 'more modern' oil should be used.
I have just had my box rebuilt so have been back to ask the rebuilder his views.
The Express Gearbox Company, www.expressgearbox.co.uk/ , said that the BW35 originally used asbestos as the friction material for which a non-Dexron oil was appropriate. Now that asbestos is no longer used, a Dexron II oil is the correct oil to use in a rebuilt box where brake bands etc have been replaced.

So, as stated on the other thread, if your box has been rebuilt, it is important to ask the rebuilder which oil should be used.

[Phil Nottingham]

As its the reconditioner thats responsible for warranty claims then their advice must be followed - however its very unlikely that any problems will show up in the warranty period so its brest to get this in writing if it does fail through alleged wrong use of fluid

[jan]

When the gearbox of my P5B coupé was reconditioned in October 2004 by a specialised company, I was told to use 'Type F' oil. I bought some oil from a Dutch company, Kroon Oil (www.kroon-oil.com). The label of this oil mentions 'Ford M2C 33 F/G' and 'Borg Warner (Ford 33 type)'. There is also a warning: 'Do not use when ATF-A or ATF Dexron is advised.' This corresponds to the advice previously given in this discussion.

[Phil Nottingham]

Well actually it just as conflicting in that reconditioned gearboxes are alleged to need Dexron but the original ones definitley need Ford/BW ATF.

I suppose you have to be guided by the reconditioner - I suppose you have a claim against them if they are wrong and the box fails though this will be impossible to pursue after sever years/miles

[Deleted]

Having drained and flushed my auto box 3 times after reading all about the right / wrong oils to use, I discovered an old bottle of transmission fluid in the back of the garage and it was the correct oil in the gearbox all along!!

Still, the exercise did me good (draining and filling, draining and filling etc) and I recorded the oil change on a sticker in the engine bay so I don't make the same mistake again.

Hey Ho.

Freddy