Stickman

New member

Joined

Jun 3, 2006

Messages

95

Points

45

• Aug 15, 2008

• #1

Hi all

My 'box has been seizing up in hot weather and change-heavy traffic conditions. I can only presume that the mechanic used the wrong oil, so I've bought some new gearbox oil. At Halford's book's recommendation, its Castrol Manual EP80W - 90. Is this the right one?

Seeing as I don't know what's already in there, am I best off topping up the old oil or draining and starting a'fresh? Is it easy to drain? The bottle is only 1l, so if so possibly not enough to refill entirely.

Cheers

 

rallycinq

Autotest Special

Parked in the garage

Joined

Mar 19, 2002

Messages

24,592

Points

3,863

Location

Lake District....Moist

• Aug 15, 2008

• #2

Get another bottle and drain the old oil out. If its wrong adding some of the right stuff will not make it all right.

Easy enough to drain the old oil, do it when the box is warm, it flows out much better. Leave it to drain for at least an hour before refilling.

Cheers

PD

 

OP

OP

Stickman

New member

Joined

Jun 3, 2006

Messages

95

Points

45

• Aug 16, 2008

• #3

Is the drain plug straight underneath the 'box? I think I'm looking at it but this may be something else!!

Cheers

 

David C

Patron member

Joined

Mar 29, 2005

Messages

1,787

Points

399

Location

London

• Aug 16, 2008

• #4

Stickman said:

Is the drain plug straight underneath the 'box? I think I'm looking at it but this may be something else!!

Click to expand...

Directly under the LHS driveshaft.

 

OP

OP

Stickman

New member

Joined

Jun 3, 2006

Messages

95

Points

45

• Aug 16, 2008

• #5

Is this the filler point where the oil enters? Or is this the drain plug? Tbis photo is taken looking straight forwards at the 'box.

Cheers

 

OP

OP

Stickman

New member

Joined

Jun 3, 2006

Messages

95

Points

45

• Aug 16, 2008

• #6

Further progression: I have noticed that the guard under the gearbox hsa some wet oil on it. Could this be a sign of worn gasket/misc leak, and perhaps explain the way that in hot weather the box is becoming stubborn and even siezing altogether occasionally?

Cheers

 

fingers99

Patron member

Parked in the garage Written a guide

Joined

Mar 20, 2006

Messages

27,743

Points

4,561

Location

Liverpool

• Aug 16, 2008

• #7

It's pretty normal to get a bit of oil down there: probably not very significant.

The drain plug is underneath the box, not on the side.

 

David C

Patron member

Joined

Mar 29, 2005

Messages

1,787

Points

399

Location

London

• Aug 16, 2008

• #8

Stickman said:

Is this the filler point where the oil enters? Or is this the drain plug? Tbis photo is taken looking straight forwards at the 'box.

Click to expand...

Fill Plug

 

OP

OP

Stickman

New member

Joined

Jun 3, 2006

Messages

95

Points

45

• Aug 16, 2008

• #9

fingers99 said:

The drain plug is underneath the box, not on the side.

Click to expand...

Well in that case I'm stumped - can't for the life of me work out where the drain plug is!

The workshop manual CD Rom doesn't have any fully labeled diagrams of the gearbox, so I can't work it out! Should get a Cinq Haynes manual one of these days.

I'm going to see how much oil is in the 'box. If its very low, I'll top it up and get the car inspected for leaks. If the level is fine, I'll drain it for an hour and fully replace the 'box oil (would cost £20 to do so, so hopefully not necessary!).

Any clues as to what the drain plug looks like? Sorry, I know I'm becoming a bore!

Cheers

 

Italian Coke Can

Member

Joined

Nov 20, 2005

Messages

487

Points

103

• Aug 16, 2008

• #10

Its an allen key to the rear of the 'box and at it's lowest point.

 

Brooky

Prominent member

Parked in the garage

Joined

Nov 18, 2006

Messages

4,505

Points

739

Location

Lancaster

• Aug 16, 2008

• #11

There

Between the hole and the mount

 

Last edited: Aug 16, 2008

Italian Coke Can

Member

Joined

Nov 20, 2005

Messages

487

Points

103

• Aug 16, 2008

• #12

That's one way to drain the 'box!