gearbox oil

[Greyone]

After the gearbox is drained, and new filter fitted, how is the oil refilled if there is no filler hole/plug or dipstick, and how much oil exactly is needed to refill the box considering some will still be in the torque converter, and once filled and sealed up, is there a level hole to check, if no dipstick.


Cheers. Dave.

[joejag308]

Dave the issues re the oil change on the gearbox both the Supercharged and the normally aspirated models was an item in the February 2008 and March 2008 magazine on page 42.
In February it covers the non aspirated models and in March it covers the Supercharged models also on page 42
We in here had an issue with these items as they replaced our forum pages for the two months of Feb and Mar......however during the following year 2008 the questions re the refilling of the gearboxes was a popular request and both boxes (they are different) was covered by Dave Marks in depth with pictures and text........if you have a supercharged model the dipstick / filler tube is located at the back of the engine near the bulkhead.
But on non aspirated models a pump type device is need to fill the box....
hope this answers your problem.......Joe

[Greyone]

thanks for your reply, but where exactly is the fill performed, is there a level hole? through which the oil is pumped?, and are these old copies of the magazine available still, and from whom?

Many thanks Dave.

[joejag308]

The work was done and published by Dave Marks........if you want to refill your gearbox you dont say what model it is.........if it is a supercharged model you refill it via the dipstick hole at the end of the engine block.
A normally aspirated model is done using two people, and the pump of course and the filler is on the top of the gearbox in a rather out of sight position........you can i believe get copies of the February and March issues from either Nigel thorley or JEC headquarters.
In your case a good buy for the problem you have....Joe

[ptjs1]

Dave,

As Joe has said, the copies of the Feb 2008 magazine give a good write-up of the job. The filler plug on normally-aspirated car is a combined filler and level plug. It's not really on top of the box - it's on the side quite low down on the right-hand side.

Having just had the fluid changed on my car, I would suggest that you get a specialist to fill it as it's a complicated process that ideally involves checking the fluid temp using autologic or similar.

My suggestion would be that you source the fluid yourself and then pay the hour or so labour to have it filled. Even independnet specialists may charge you the £24+vat for the fluid whereas you can buy the genuine Esso stuff for about £6-£7 if you look around.

As a suggestion, it really helps things if all BB members could identify their car through the signature section of their profile and also select the model and engine type when typing the post.

Good luck

Paul

[PaulGover]

I know this thread is a year old, but it may be worth me recording my experience with gearbox oil changes. I went to a gearbox specialist in Birmingham, "Driver Transmissions" a couple of years ago, and they did a gearbox service (oil change, new filter) for less than £150 (I forget the exact amount). I've been to them before, 10-15 years ago, when they overhauled my old XJ6 Series III's Borg Warner gearbox. Their place looks a bit odd from outside, as they expanded into some Birmingham furniture supplier's premises, but inside was wall-to-wall transmission bits, and a stock of work from the local garage trade.

[J44EAG]

As Paul Sinnott says, an Autologic unit is really the only option on topping gearboxes to the CORRECT level using mathematical expansion coefficient to achieve that required level.

DIY techniques are pure guess work. Temperature of the transmission oil IS all important. Unless that factoring is applied, then any other technique is a false one. Under fill the transmission and it will misfunction and wear prematurely. Over fill and oil squirts out at the front of the gearbox, drips out of the bell housing and drops on the exhaust. On the motorway you can expect to lay a smoke screen like a WW2 destroyer!. I know that happens because the dummies who changed my gearbox oil on one occasion got it terribly wrong!!!

Gearbox oil topping or changing is one for the professionals with the correct kit and facilities. Disbelieve me at your peril.

Sorry to be so pedantic but this really is the case.

At £150 for a professional oil change using the correct Esso oil, this is a bargain. And you have a form of warrenty if there is a subsiquent problem.

Mike

[bmc123]

My gearbox oil cost me £200

[TROY]

hi all
i paid £7. per litre for the correct oil.
surrey jags supplied the oil filter/oring/sump gasket.
they charged me £169. inc the dreaded.
to replace the above parts.
they had the car overnight and used the correct procedure whilst carrying out this specialist job.
cheers trot

[MrTeatime]

An old post this one but I thought I'd post a reply in case anyone is looking to do a gearbox oil change at home and might be put off by some of the comments around here.

It's a straightforward process and can be done on a DIY basis job with no special equipment and some good common sense. Main thing is to use the correct specification oil and start the job when the transmission is cold.

Cheers
Dave