What gearbox oil do I need?

[k17byo]

I've been searching all morning but no luck! Not even chandlers BMW could help! Lol

I'm about to change my gearbox to try and eliminate this annoying wine I have and no it's not the mrs

Sounds like an old no'10 bus!

Centre prop bearing already changed and doughnut

I've got a 1990 325i sport
Getrag 260

But what's the best oil to use?

[daimlerman]

Two suggestions,what you use will depend on your usage,perhaps.

85/90 gear oil,or ATF....

I used gear oil when I first started to play with E30's,but my wife whined about 'heavy gears'....I tried to explain to her that once warmed through the gearchange was a delight to use,but her regular trip to work of a mile or so did not allow the 'box to warm up properly.So I switched to ATF,this gives a lighter 'change from cold,and cured her whining....

With your 'box whining before you start fiddling with what's inside,I'm wondering if;
1.There's enough oil inside
2.There's wear,somewhere like the first motion shaft bearings?

[k17byo]

I haven't driven the car in 8 months and before that a had restored it so had plenty of fresh oil in!

I only took it out a few weeks ago to mot it and it flew straight threw.

I thought gearboxes were quite hard to repair and expensive so a swap would be better.
Maybe I'll take the old one apart when it's off!

[daimlerman]

In general,Getrang 'boxes are as tough as old boots....I've never taken one to bits to see how it works,yet, but spent a happy few evenings stripping two Moggy Minor 'boxes to try and make one good one many years ago.

What are the clues?

Does it whine all the time,or just in one gear?

General advice,though,is that it's cheaper to swap in a better s/h 'box.

[Green]

Any side effects of ATF? Mine from cold with the short shift feels like there's tiny people inside the box fighting me.

[magpie]

i used ATF dexron 111 in mine .

[daimlerman]

Any side effects of ATF? Mine from cold with the short shift feels like there's tiny people inside the box fighting me.

No,but the stuff is thinner,so it will show up any wear as whining.
I change gearbox oil every second year.

Advantages are a lighter,quicker shift,especialy from cold,or in winter use.

[Green]

I shall pop down to my nearest halfords with the trade card sharpish before the cold really sets in, never had to do a gearbox oil change on one of these. How much should it take?

[hongkongfuey]

im sure e36 boxes are all aft my old one was

[daimlerman]

How much should it take?

My Bentley manual is quoting 1.25ltr....does not sound enough to me! I buy the stuff in 5 litre cans....
Do make sure that you can remove the fill plug on the side of the 'box before removing the drain plug!

[k17byo]

I think when I done the restore I put in ATF oil? It always whines in every gear which made me think it's main bearing?!

The gear changes are really smooth all the time even from cold its like a new car!

I think it took 1.7 lts from memory but manual said 1.2 lts. I just bought 2x 1 lts bottles to be safe ;)

[k17byo]

Any more useful info on this?

[tom325sport]

I've just changed mine with Castrol ATF II. I think mine was about 1.25L. Once filled just stick your finger in the fill hole and see if it near the top. Remember to have the car level on axle stands.

[Brianmoooore]

240 box holds 1.15 litre.
260 box holds 1.25 litre.