Anyone know if Lucas GL-5 is yellow metal safe?- changed formulation?

[pentode]

I ordered a couple quarts of gear oil for my old datsun transmission (brass synchros) from rock auto- their website pic claims to be GL-4 and GL-5 compatible. However, what I received only says GL-5, otherwise it's the same label.

I called Lucas and got the most confusing answer possible. They said "We've changed the formulation and the label. It used to say GL-4 but it wasn't yellow metal safe. Now it's GL-5 only but our technicians say it's definitely yellow metal safe now. However, I can't advise you try it in your transmission"

Super fishy. Why would you _remove_ the GL-4 from the label if you specifically went out of your way to make it yellow metal safe? Even Lucas doesn't seem to understand the difference. I'm now leaning towards not even trying this stuff but I'm curious if anyone has any good, solid insider info about this situation.

 

[franklin2]

You can buy the GL4 on Amazon.

Amazon.com

 

[pentode]

You can buy the GL4 on Amazon.

Amazon.com

They don't sell it in Canada.

In fact, pretty much any GL-4 oil you can find in the USA won't be available here. Why? Market too small to bother exporting it I guess.

 

[RobbieD]

They don't sell it in Canada.

I thought that y'all used back bacon grease on everything.

Seriously, I'd be hesitant on using anything that didn't state 'safe for yellow metal' on the label, or in a printed spec from the company.

 

[franklin2]

They don't sell it in Canada.

In fact, pretty much any GL-4 oil you can find in the USA won't be available here. Why? Market too small to bother exporting it I guess.

So you go to Amazon to buy it, put in your address and it says "unavailable". That is weird. I think there is more to it than volume. You buy other stuff from Amazon correct? Does this happen often?

Do your products you buy from Amazon all come from Canada? Or is it all exported from the US? Learning something here.

 

[pentode]

I thought that y'all used back bacon grease on everything.

I tried that but I had a trail of feral cats following me everywhere I drove.

 

[pentode]

So you go to Amazon to buy it, put in your address and it says "unavailable". That is weird. I think there is more to it than volume. You buy other stuff from Amazon correct? Does this happen often?

Do your products you buy from Amazon all come from Canada? Or is it all exported from the US? Learning something here.

I can't really speak with authority on how Amazon does whatever it is they do, but it seems at least that anything that might be a "chemical" they just avoid dealing with. Very large amounts of products you can get in the USA on Amazon aren't available here. Another example, on Prime day a week or 2 ago, they had a great deal on the Topdon TopScan dongle... unobtanium in Canada, not even through 3rd parties.

If I try to add your suggested item to my cart, I get several options which are all third party sellers charging... ahem... "fair" prices.

EDIT: so I guess to be fair, some products are actually unavailable, in this case it may technically be available at 3-4x the price. But I also don't buy from 3rd party sellers on Amazon, especially cross-border, for a whole other set of headaches. Seller 2 there has a 0% positive feedback.

 

[RobbieD]

I tried that but I had a trail of feral cats following me everywhere I drove.

I'd just roll with that.

You'll never have to worry about mice getting in your rig.

 

[pentode]

I'd just roll with that.

You'll never have to worry about mice getting in your rig.

I should probably stop storing my peanuts in my carburetor too.

 

[RobbieD]

I should probably stop storing my peanuts in my carburetor too.

I leave the Doritos laying out on the seat, and hide my stash in the carburetor.

Luckily, they're not very smart . . .