Changing the Gear Box fluid, and Diff oil.... What to do.

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jog5000
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Post Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:02 am

Can anyone offer any advice on changing the diff oil, and gearbox oil, like what I need to use, how difficult it is, what I need to look out for, and perhaps how to do it?
320i D reg, 4 door, if that helps any.
Thanks all
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:27 am

Undo the filler plugs, before the drain plugs. (If you drain the oil first, and then find you can't undo the fillers, you are up s**t creek).
Buy your oils in sqeezy bottles with a plastic tube and fill untill oil just begins to flow out the filler holes. (Car must be level).
Helps if you warm both the old oils (by driving the car) and the new (by sticking bottles in a pan of hot water).
jog5000
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Post Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:49 am

what oils should I use, and how much, Brian? Is it a difficult job to change the oils?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:02 am

Diff is 0.9 litre for 316 -320s and 1.7 litre for 325s. Oil is EP90 hypoid, which I think is GL5 spec these days (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
Gearbox is 1.15 litre for 316 - 320s and 1.25 litre for 325s. Oil is SAE80 to GL4 spec, or some people recomend Dextron II ATF fluid.

Diff is easy to get at (both drain and filler are on diff backplate). Gearbox filler is half way up the right hand side of the gearbox, so a bit difficult to fill, and you need to get under the centre of the car.
Would recommend you invest in a Haynes manual, No. 1948.
Not the best manual around, but cheapand usefull if you don't take everything too literaly.
jog5000
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Post Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:19 am

I've got the Haynes, as you said, dont take anything too litteraly, thats why I'm asking here, as lot easier.
Thanks for the help
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Templ8e30
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Post Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:00 pm

The diff plugs need a 10mm allen key and the gearbox needs a 17mm allen key or plug wrench.

Cheers,

Iain T
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charlE30
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Post Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:46 am

Just changed both the diff oil and gearbox yesterday.Used EP90 hypoid GL5 in the diff and SAE80 GL4 in the box both were Ԛ£4.99 a litre from motorworld. The diff is easy with good access but the gearbox is a pain, ended up jubilee clipping a 1.5m bit of clear hose (same diameter as bottle neck) and getting my missus to stand on the bottle while I was lying under the car holding the hose into the filler, worked a treat :thumb: As brian said undo the fillers first....
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