By Bernd Kussmaul, Germany

     After driving a 1900 CSS for more than 25 years, I’d like to give a helpful tip to other 1900 owners, especially for the gearboxes.  

     When buying my car in 1987 the pre-owner gave me several tips on how to use the car without getting problems immediately.

     The most necessary item for the gearbox, he mentioned, is to drive it with non-alloyed gearoil only, since the materials inside the gearbox, such as cogwheels and bearings, are mostly out of very soft material and modern alloyed gearoil is too aggressive for this material. Nowadays you’ll find this gearoil by visiting garages of trucks and farmer machines. 
[Ed. note: in USA, years ago, the usual recommendation for my 2600 was Shell Dentax 90, not the more modern Dentax 90EP. I'm guessing this also works for 1900 gearboxes as well.]

     During the last few years, I saw a lot of broken cogwheels in 1900 gearboxes and, every time, users had used the modern 80/90 alloyed gearoil. From time to time, when I change the gearoil in my car, there is always a brass-coloured cover shining on the surface of the old gearoil-- indicating that material of these times were softer than several years later.

     Feel free to contact me if You have some more questions concerning the 1900 gearbox: b.kussmaul@t-online.de. I have several 5-Speed-gearbox parts as well as complete gearboxes.

Update from T.J. NOTO...August, 2022

    A small group of 1900 owners have been discussing the proper gearbox oil for our cars. Several know Bernd personally and agree that the oil he mentions is the right stuff for 1900 gearboxes. 

     What is less clear is what “non-alloyed” means, and that’s the only descriptor he uses. Shell Dentax is, in my view, one example of the right oil for 1900s. I have come to this conclusion because it’s the right oil for my 105 gearbox, according to Tom Sahines, a local Alfa expert and AROC Tech Advisor. 

     Shell Dentax is very hard to find now, but it is essentially “GL-1” oil, and available through NAPA and other retailers. It is also used by heavy plant operators and is available at truck supply stores. This jives with what Bernd says. 

     Finally, Andy Rottman again, from my 1900 group, knows Bernd and claims that Bernd quoted Liqui-Moly Classic SAE 90 as one conforming oil. When I looked that up on the Liqui-Moly site, it cites “GL-1” as the oil type.

     The takeaway here is that the proper way to identify the right gearbox oil for 1900s is that it be “GL-1.” 

     Again, it’s neither exotic, expensive, or hard to find here in North America. And it’s the right stuff for 750, 101, and many 105 Alfas.

--TJ, 30Aug2022