Filling up Gearbox

[Grrrmachine]

Gearbox is off the car, but I can't for the life of me get the drain plug out. It's a shallow 17mm allen screw, and the usual trick of using the head of a bolt just isn't working, and I'm at risk of rounding out the plug.

So, is it possible to fill the 'box from the little nozzle at the top, the one that's loosely blanked off with a plastic cap?

[e30den]

The fill plug is on the side of the box, drain plug is underneath. ( manual box ? )

[Grrrmachine]

dur, I'm getting my words mixed up (too many languages in one day). I mean the fill plug on the side.

[e30den]

If you have a welder handy then spot weld a bolt in place this will eliminate the risk of rounding it off

[Brianmoooore]

Can't you get the drain plug out either? It would be possible, although slow, to fill through the vent, but the drain hole would be easier.
Gearbox should ideally be hot to unscrew either of these steel plugs screwed into alloy.

[BATTS91]

would using a blow torch help situations?

[Grrrmachine]

Can't you get the drain plug out either? It would be possible, although slow, to fill through the vent, but the drain hole would be easier.
Gearbox should ideally be hot to unscrew either of these steel plugs screwed into alloy.

Gearbox is bolted to the engine, so I can't readily flip it over to fill it from the drain plug (which is why I asked).

I'll try a mixture of a blow lamp and a proper 17mm allen key; I don't want to weld the nut if I can help it. But after 23 years, it does look like it's in there solid. And it doesn't seem the cleverest of designs...

[e30den]

Take the box off the engine, easy peasy

[Brianmoooore]

Put the bolt head into the plug socket and hit the bolt a few times with a heavy hammer.

Bear in mind that the side of the gearbox is a not particularly thick piece of alloy!

[daimlerman]

If you cannot get the drain/fill plugs out with the 'box off the car,I would question the suitability of the 'box.....


Very much easier to make an executive choice now,and fit a 'box with removable plugs!

[Billwill]

Drill a hole in the existing plug....put grease on the drill to catch metal chaff.....tap a new thread in the hole or block with rubber plug.

[Grrrmachine]

Heat, welding, hammering, drilling new holes

Your cumulative advice worked; it made me so scared about knackering the gearbox that I went out and bought the right tools!



Stanley 17mm Allen socket got the job jobbed.

[e30den]

Heat, welding, hammering, drilling new holes

Your cumulative advice worked; it made me so scared about knackering the gearbox that I went out and bought the right tools!



Stanley 17mm Allen socket got the job jobbed.

You got there in the end

[Gavla]

I trust you have added a "Correct Tools" section to the Wiki?

[Grrrmachine]

You know, that's not a bad idea...

[mcbonio]

Was just gonna suggest this from Halfords but I see you already have it out..

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255216

17mm oil drain hex key.! I got this when I did mine and like yourself I had to get a breaker on it as it was mad tight.!