Topic: Questions about first maintenance service

[Kelu]

I went to dealership today for the first maintenance service schedule I had 10 600km (6600 miles) and they said normally I should do it at 12 000km (7500miles) or 15 000km (9300miles) but I told them I want to do it earlier all the time, the Oil Life was 8% on DIC.

Everything was looking good, I know the service manager and he allowed me to stay with the car and inspect it myself. Underneath everything was clean and tight, checked the bolts of my custom backbone and all were tight.

Replaced the Oil with my choice Motul 300V 5W30 http://alturl.com/avek and oil filter, they just cleaned my air filter because I asked them not to change it because I plan to buy a K&N air filter.

Also I asked them to change my diff's oil as you recommend me. I went with Motul Gear300 75W-90 http://alturl.com/uf49 and I think I did a good job because the oil was black, very thick and kind of sticky. No leaks around my diff 

My questions are:
1) This engine has no gas filter, right? (I'm just double checking)
2) In the user manual, says about LSD:

Rear Axle (Limited-Slip Differential)
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S. 89021677, in Canada 89021678) meeting GM Specification 986115.
With a complete drain and refill add 4 ounces (118 ml) of Limited-Slip Axle Lubricant Additive (GM Part No. U.S. 052358, in Canada 992694) where required.

I'm a little bit confused, I have added 118 ml of Motul Gear 300 75W-90, I have to add additive also? How much? What is a lubricant additive?

[DeepBlueGXP]

I can't speak for the additive since I don't know of the replacement gear oil you used, the stock lube required the additive.

No there isn't a fuel filter on the Kappa.

Always follow your DIC for oil change intervals.

[rich71]

yes the lsd additive is a must or else the clutch packs will burn up in short order..... it says to add 4 oz, so that would behow much.....to be honest, i do not know if there are gear lubes out there that already have a lsd additive as part of the mix....research carefully!!! and if they didn't put it in, drive gingerly until you add it or determine if your replacement lube has it already in there.....IMHO....you are gonna have the best GT acrosse the pond...Love it 

[Treeman]

Sorry but I couldn't find this on a search of the site.  Are folks recommending changing the oil in the differential on the first service?  I have never had to touch the oil in a diff before...

[Critterman]

Treeman,
There was an issue in 06 and early 07 with the diff's we were all watching our rears (amd maybe others) very closely.

[Kelu]

Oh my bad, I misunderstood 118ml instead of 1180 ml (40oz) as oil added in my lsd by approximation. Now I know I have to add 118 ml of additive.

I called Opel service manager and he said he didn't put any additive to other two GT which he serviced.  

Called Motul Romania and they state there is no additive in the oil which I used and wouldn't be any problem adding one.

I found a GM Limited-Slip Axle Lubricant Additive over the internet and spotted another one from ACdelco, I should decide which one, probably GM will take 1-3 weeks to have it.

Later edit: Called Opel dealership again and spoke with my buddy and he said one of the GT which he serviced needed the lsd fixing of the leak and the service bulletin states only one fluid (the gear oil 75W-90) and no other.   
He searched this additive in their repair software and couldn't find anything. GM additive is out of my reach in this case so the only option would be to find a different brand of additive and add it over Opel's statements. 

Treeman No, I did it as a matter of precaution, I saw some pictures from another user the bolt had metal powder mixed in the oil so I decide to change mine on first schedule just because the car is new and I want keep the lsd in best conditions as possible.

[KWhale]

Kelu - The reason the service bulletin probably states just 75w-90 and no other, is that they must be assuming the stock fluid has the friction diffuser added to it already.  That is a bad assumption!  You have to add those 4 oz of friction diffuser or you will be in trouble pretty soon.  Especially when you are driving your car hard and around lots of twisty roads like you do.

You also should mix the additive with the gear oil before putting it in the rear dif according to the instructions on the bottle.  I'm not sure if you can just dump it into the dif after the fact or not?  Worst case is, you drain and reuse the new fluid in there now, after mixing in the additive.

So Kelu, you should find out right way, the 100% answer....was there any friction diffuser in the fluid they put in your car?????  If not, you DO need some as soon as possible.
 

[Ben L]

 

[Kelu]

KWhale That makes sense sir, thanks.

Tomorrow I will start searching lubricant additive and I will drain the oil which I just put in the LSD and mix them and put them back.

The GM one will be nearly impossible to find it if the Opel dealership doesn't have them in their software, I hope doesn't matter the brand.

Thanks guys, you are awesome

[LatinVenom]

Is it possible for the Opel GT not to have a LSD in the Diff.

[Kelu]

Is it possible for the Opel GT not to have a LSD in the Diff.

Believe me, it has  

I inspected mine and on the diff case is engraved Getrag.
Also with ESC off, front wheels turned on maximum, if I step on the gas spins like hell starting 4000 rpm, this wouldn't be possible with an open diff.
Another real fact, on drag races I launched better than many RWD great cars like BMW E46 M3, BMW E92 335i, Nissan 350z, Honda S2000, BMW Z4, Merc SLK350, the only car which launched better than my Opel GT was Porsche Cayman with his central engine, in my opinion this wasn't possible with stock tires and without a lsd.

I'm going crazy, can't find GM Limited-Slip Axle Lubricant Additive in this country, I'm thinking to go with Motul 90PA as oil without any additive instead of Motul Gear 300 as I added yesterday.

90 PA
Extreme Pressure Lubricant for Limited Slip Differentials (LSD)

TYPE OF USE
Specially formulated for limited-slip differentials : Racing cars, Passenger Cars and Industrial applications.
Special formula includes a friction modifier for clutch-pack or plate type differentials to prevent dragging of discs.
All types of differentials with or without limited-slip systems operating under moderate to heavy loads at variable speeds.
For BMW rear axles with limited-slip differential, use MOTUL HYPO SYNT LS.

PERFORMANCES
STANDARDS:
API GL4 and GL5
MIL-L-2105D

Extreme pressure lubricant for an efficient anti wear protection.
Very high lubricating properties to reduce friction and enhance component life.
Compatible with all types of seals.
Anti-corrosion, Anti-foam.

Another option which I have is to go with Metabong GT as additive as some dealership technical engineers recommended me.

[Critterman]

that should work, I don't remember what standards (API) we are supposed to meet.

[KWhale]

That one line in the oil description is exactly what you need to see if you are buying a gear oil and don't want to have to add the friction modifier:

Special formula includes a friction modifier for clutch-pack or plate type differentials to prevent dragging of discs.

If everything else like weight and ratings etc match up for your dif, that product would work!

[Kelu]

I will go with that Motul 90 PA. 

Thanks guys for your input, appreciated.

[Kelu]

After 9 months went to maintenance checked the LSD, looks strong with the MOTUL 90 PA, no leaks and no clunks as I had with the stock lsd oil.

[Arabas]

Kelu, did you replace your spark plugs?
with 16000 miles now, i have replaced them twice (first time in 1000 miles to get the hotter plugs and second time at the 2nd yearly service-had only 13000 miles at that time, but i said i wanted them to replace with new ones).
i was checking an old magazine yesterday and Opel states that spark plugs last for 100.000 miles.
am i wasting my money here or is it a good thing to replace them every year?

[Kelu]

No I didn't replaced my spark plug, inspected them and they looks good me and the mechanic said there is no need to replace them, I'm 18500km and one year old car and these are factory oem ones never replaced.

I did re-gapped them from 0.035 to 0.030

[Arabas]

did you re-gapped them yourself or did you have them done this for you?

[Kelu]

did you re-gapped them yourself or did you have them done this for you?

Does it really matters?
They did it at my instructions.

[Arabas]

it matters as whether your Opel dealer was willing to do such a change in the OEM spark plugs.
thx for the info Kelu!

[Kelu]

They are ok, never went to a warranty case to them, no reason no to be nice with me.
They even asked me even if I'm tuned so they will update my calibration or not and I said NO of course.

[Arabas]

Of course you are not tuned Kelu, none of us here is...just our cars   

sorry for the short hi-jack, but here in Greece, Opel dealers frequently receive a GM black list, with all the Greek Opel cars that have been reported to have tune or exhaust or any other aftermarket parts so that they can deny warranty and FOC labor...
 

[Kelu]

I think you understood me wrong, I said NO to update my calibration because I'm tuned, they smelled immediately that I have no cat.
I wouldn't be surprised if around here would be same especially that I was to races so I would be 100% blacklisted.

Do I care about it? No, because I saved about 14 000E off their prices when I bought my car if there will be case to put money in the car for sure I will not do it to them and I will put stronger parts. Best warranty is to get aftermarket parts