Gear Oil Issues - I think

In the last week or so my 03 VW Golf has started shifting weird. Earlier this year, I changed out the gear lube as I was having some issues with grinding. VW specs a GL-4 gear lube and I looked around quite a while. I found Lucas sells a dual rated GL-4  and GL-5 rated synthetic and I bought that.

Now I am having problems with the 3rd and 4th gear synchros. The car will not go into 3rd or 4th gear when warm. I have to double clutch and then it's okay. 

I know that some people will say the synchros need some friction and that it's possible that the synthetic is too slippery. Bunk or not? I'm thinking of trying to track down a GL-4 conventional gear lube and changing it out.

Thoughts?

I'd go back to whatever fluid you were using previously that wasn't giving you problems.

GL 5 is too slick for Germans.  

i have read some about the GL4 vs GL5 topic since GL4 is what is needed in my Z31 transmission. From my understanding is that even though the GL5 is suppose to be backwards compatible to the GL4 it just isnt the same stuff and causing issues with older vehicles, i think its something to do with the brass components in the trans?

Basically the go-to (atleast what the z31 guys suggest) is to use Redline MT-90 as it is still just a GL4 oil.

I guess I'm off to find a GL-4 then.

Redline unfortunately doesn't have a dealer near me and the last time I checked shippers refuse to "dangerous goods" to a home address. I used Redline in my old Mk3 Golf and was quite happy with it.

Not available through your local VW dealer?  It might be pricier but it's there

I've had Redline shipped to me numerous times without issue, though I have been using regular old Royal Purple motor oil in my Solstice transmission (a mix of 5w30 and 10w40) for a while now after it being suggested for autocrossers. I love it. It seems to shift smoother than the Redline fluid did and was significantly cheaper. 

Edit: The AR5 also specs GL4

NGTD said:

Redline unfortunately doesn't have a dealer near me and the last time I checked shippers refuse to "dangerous goods" to a home address. I used Redline in my old Mk3 Golf and was quite happy with it.

Order it from Amazon.  They've got no issues shipping Redline to a house.  I had 4 quarts of Redline 75W-140 arrive today...

In reply to rslifkin :

You are right Amazon.ca has it. $37.65 a quart, but they have it!

Redline is good E36 M3.  I use it in my manual transmissions.

Are you sure your clutch is OK?  That is, it's releasing OK?  If it is dragging, that can cause the problems you are experiencing.

Dr. Hess said:

Redline is good E36 M3.  I use it in my manual transmissions.

Are you sure your clutch is OK?  That is, it's releasing OK?  If it is dragging, that can cause the problems you are experiencing.

I have considered that but clutch seems fine. It is approaching 200k kms on the original clutch.

IIRC Lucas gear lube is one of the few that actually does have the fabled "GL5 will corrode brass synchro rings" problem.