Gearbox and Diff oil changes

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Dipesh
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Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:22 pm

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me how often the gearbox oil and diff oils should be changed?

Thanks,

Dipesh
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siddiqi1
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Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:02 am

every 2 yeara says the haynes manual! but if you dont know whens it been changed; that for me is a good enough reason to change it yourself!

very very very easy to do both!

the gearbox fluid is not only cheap but as said, easy to do. with a torx bit, locate the FILLER which belive is on the drivers side on the sideo f the gbox. always unsrew this before the drain as they are quite stiff; you dont want ot drain all the fluid and then find out you cant open the filler! once the filler is open, the DRAIN PLUG is at the btm of the box. you'll need an old AUTO TRANY FLUID bottle, as they have nozzles to feed the new fluid in!

with the diff, much the same case, though somewhat easier! the filler plug first, which is the top of the two bolts you'll see on the case. once open, then open the drain plug. dependant on whehter its a LSD or not depends on what fluid needs to go in there! DONT WHATEVER YOU DO put the wrong fluid in a LSD!!!

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sam325is
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Fri Aug 08, 2008 1:14 am

to do the gear box you need a 17mm hex key.

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Images/DB ... 140191.jpg

better to buy that as they only cost a few quid and then your sortedfor next time you need it.

Good idea to buy a oil suction hand pump to fil the box with as it makes less mess and is alot easier.
daimlerman
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Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:24 pm

As above,I change gearbox oil every second engine oil change,same with the diff.Spreads the workload and the cost...an oil syringe is the perfect tool for the job,sucks the oil out of a 5 litre container and squirts the stuff into 'box and diff.
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Dipesh
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Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:22 pm

Lovely, cheers guys, thanks for you help :cool:
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furbster
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Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:11 pm

What oil would you guys recommend for the gearbox?
daimlerman
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Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:17 pm

I use 80w/90 gear oil in diffs(open!!) and in the gearbox of my 316i.I use ATF in the gearbox of the 2.7,because I have a short shift fitted and 'er indoors was moaning that 'the gear thing on your car is too stiff for my arm'!!
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