What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

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Paul773car
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What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Paul773car »

Just for anyone who doesn't know when theirs was last changed. My advice is do it. I can't believe how much better the change feels. Smoother into all gears no synchro mesh click even on quick changes its like a different car. Now to be fair what came out looked pretty nasty so I suppose the difference you will notice will depend on how bad and old your current oil is but I am amazed by the difference new oil makes.

Word of warning make sure you can undo the filler plug before you undo the drain plug. Mine was a real struggle to get out.
Last edited by Paul773car on 17 Aug 2020, 20:48, edited 1 time in total.

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King Kenny
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by King Kenny »

Thanks for that. I have never checked my gearbox oil in the ten years I have owned the van so I guess it is well overdue. I will put it on the Urgent to Do list.
:ok What oil did you use?
 
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Did mine last month, need to dispose of the old stuff at the local council recycling centre, as my garage smells like, well like a garage.
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Paul773car »

Comma EP80/90 GL4

From halfords. Sure you can get it cheaper but I had to replace a drive seal so needed it quick. Make sure you get GL4, not GL5 as apparently GL5 isn't good for old boxes designed for GL4.

Paul773car
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Paul773car »

TONYT25T25 wrote: 17 Aug 2020, 20:27 Did mine last month, need to dispose of the old stuff at the local council recycling centre, as my garage smells like, well like a garage.

It really stinks doesn't it. Mines in the garage too and the other half isn't happy. Council tip at the weekend for me too😊

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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Dazco »

Something I need to do on mine , how much did it take to fill it up ?
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by TONYT25T25 »

I believe it depends on the gearbox fitted, mine is a 4 speed and according to the Haynes manual 3.5L.  When emptying my box I poured the remains into an old oil container and it measure about the same. However when removing the gearbox oil filler plug before renewing the oil, some dripped out, but I was not on perfectly flat ground, so hope I put the same amount back in, I also used some of the new oil to flush out any debris, ie left the drain plug off then added a bit of the new stuff, then replaced the drain plug and poured new stuff in.
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Dazco »

Good idea :ok
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by crazyhorse »

I tried to do this, but for the life of me couldnt get the filler plug off. Nightmare. Any ideas??
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Dazco
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Dazco »

If memory serves me right it's an Allen key screw , could you get the key into the hole? Tried using a long breaker bar? Do when the gearbox is warm, use plus gas for a few days prior to trying.
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Mine was a pain also, I used a normal ratchet wrench with a small extension, because of the difficulty in getting a purchase on it I used my trolley jack and gently raised the wrench at the same time keeping the ratchet in line with the socket and plug if I remember correctly.  Correction to my last I used the trolley jack method to undo the drain plug, to remove the filler plug I turned it as if tightening it up which moved it a bit and then the opposite direction doing this to and fro a few times and the plug eventually was completely undone.
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by crazyhorse »

cheers guys, have the key, but like you say no room as the gear selector is in the way, can i undo that??
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Mine is a four speed and although tight you can get the filler plug socket in with a small extension bar without having to remove any gear linkages. As an after thought maybe selecting a particular gear may give better access but unsure how much this moves the rod in order to do so.
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by crazyhorse »

TONYT25T25 wrote: 21 Aug 2020, 08:21 Mine is a four speed and although tight you can get the filler plug socket in with a small extension bar without having to remove any gear linkages. As an after thought maybe selecting a particular gear may give better access but unsure how much this moves the rod in order to do so.

Good idea, will give it a go...

 
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Paul773car
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Re: What a difference a gearbox oil change makes

Post by Paul773car »

Rather than having the socket ratchet hanging below the gearbox I did mine from above with the arm of the breaker bar pointing upwards and to the rear. This gave me enough space to put a small bar over the end to give me a bit of extra torque. As it's high you're pulling down on it too which is always easier.

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