Hi guys in the service schedule it says only to check the level of the gearbox oil at around 50k miles and 100k. I'd have thought you should replace it at least once in the cars lifetime though ? Mine's done 65k and I'm thinking of changing the gearbox oil when I give it a service at the weekend
It wont do it any harm to change it and a good idea every few years or 40k.
Make sure you use the right spec though, many cars use a gl4 spec oil but a lot of multipurpose gear oils are gl5 which can be too slippery for the syncros to work properly.
And as ever when changing gear oiul make sure you can get the new oil in before draining the old oil out
No more difficult than doing a oil and filter change.
Depends on engine but all should prove hassle free really on the basic maintenance.
Use the correct spec weight oil. Tends to be thick stuff for gearboxes.
I changed the gear and diff oil in my MX-5 the other week and 2 things i'd say,1 its was well over due as the gear change is not only a lot better now but it actually feels a little quicker, maybe that's placebo caused by the better gear changes and 2 it was a breeze using a large 500ml oil syringe.
The same one I used to suck the fluid out of the power steering and replaced it did it a few times now its nice and clear
Thanks guys, and thanks oilman I'll have a look into them. I serviced the car today and tried to see where the oil filler plug was, but I coudn't find it. There was two allen key plugs on the bottom of the gearbox, one directly on the bottom facing downwards, and one more towards the back almost parallel with the sump drain plug. Which is the right one ? And where is the filler plug!!?
You fill the 6 speed box via the dipstick hole (at the back). Pita. From memory one drain plug is for the gearbox and the one at the back is for the diff. Remove both to be sure.
Empty the reservoir.
Disconnect the thinner tube.
Put thinner tube into a scrap container,
Bung the hole in the reservoir where the thin pipe went.
Fill the reservoir with new fluid.
Turn the steering lock to lock. The old fluid should come out of the thin tube.
Keep filling the reservoir until new looking fluid comes through the thin pipe.
I think it tKes 1 1/2 to 2 litres to do.
With the gearbox oil, i managed to take a couple of photo's of the two drain plugs. Which is the right one to drain ? And when filling it I have found where the filler cap is but it looks pretty tricky to get too! Looks like I'll have to remove the battery and tray but it still looks very hard to get too, any ideas other than a hose of somesort ?
Assuming the front of the car is jacked up high, the whole lot comes out of the diff hole at the back. Not a bad idea to undo both though, just to make sure.
I put a plastic funnel into the filler/ dipstick hole then used one of those orange funnels that have a long flexi pipe to reach down to the first funnel.
Good idea to remove g/box plug as well as diff plug as this has a built in magnet that will need cleaning.
Just about to buy the gearbox oil, the recommended oil is 75W-80 but I have read in a few threads that 75w-90 is better ? Can someone clear up which is best?
And on the power steering fluid which is best for that ?
I noticed that my local B and Q stock car plan ATF-U a Dexron 6 spec ATF and power steering fluid. It is about £7.50 a litre. I shall be grabbing some when BandQ do there next buy 2, get one free on car products.
This is the same spec as in my manual, 75w-80 API GL5
I've read on loads of threads that 75w-90 is better and gives a smoother gearbox but I reckon I shall stick by the manual.
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