LSD just fitted, but with wrong oil - will it harm it?

[PeteE30Tourer]

I've just had an LSD fitted to my 325 cab, but the oil that was in it all leaked out apparently and the garage filled it with normal HP90 diff oil. I've done a search on this site and found that fully synthetic 75W 140 is the right stuff and I'll get some to replace what's in there. Question is - will I do any harm to the diff by running the car with the wrong oil in?

Also, is 75W 140 readily available, or is it a specialist oil that I'll have to order?

[Brianmoooore]

Original spec. for an E30diff. was 90, but the more modern substitute is 75W-140.
However, your diff. will need a special 75W-140 for LSDs, such as Castrol Syntrax Limited Slip 75W 140.
See here: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/t-recommendat ... -bike.aspx

[bmw9818]

would that 1 litre bottle do it for the diff?

[Brianmoooore]

would that 1 litre bottle do it for the diff?

Only for a small case diff.
The medium diff., that you should be running with a 325, takes 1.7 litres.

[TouringTash]

^^^ No own?

3.0 pints (1.7 Lts) for the 325+324d models the rest use 1.6 pints.

Small and medium diff cases ?


Edit
Mind reading Brian?

[PeteE30Tourer]

Thanks Brian, but my question was whether I'd damage the diff running the car with the bog standard HP90? I don't know when I'll be able to get the proper stuff and I want to use the car in the mean time.

[Brianmoooore]

I'm fairly sure it won't do any lasting damage in the short term.
You're not the first on here to do this, and IIRC, the reported symptoms are groaning noises when turning sharply.

[kundiboy]

Order 2 litres of SAF-XJ (75w-140) from Opie, you'll have it within a couple of days.

I would swap the oils as soon as you can to avoid contaminating the friction plates any more then you have to.

[Andyboy]

SAF XJ and change it asap. Get a couple of litres - BMW dealers have it in big drums so they may dispense what you need.

[Brianmoooore]

SAF-XJ doesn't exist any more. It's been renamed as in my first post.