How often do you change your gearbox oil?

[Djw John]

On my road clios I usually do it every couple of years but on the track car I go a bit more often. Last year it only did 2100 miles and I had to change it as I was doing the wetside shaft.

Due to the temp replacement shaft when I fitted the new one the oil had only done 125 miles (65ish on track) and it was already black.

Is that pretty normal for box oil or not? Cos it smells so awful it's not a job I enjoy!

 

[JamesBryan]

Once a year at £60 a go.

 

[Raceface_13]

Once a year at £60 a go.

What do you use? I usedthe Motul stuff last time but dont know if to change this time around

 

[JamesBryan]

What do you use? I usedthe Motul stuff last time but dont know if to change this time around

Redline MTL about £20 a quart/948ml lol, so 3-4 bottles.

 

[Djw John]

Ouch. About the same as a jc5 is worth ?

 

[JamesBryan]

Ouch. About the same as a jc5 is worth ?

Protecting my rebuilt box and diff.

 

[Djw John]

Protecting my rebuilt box and diff.

Worth every penny then.
Does it come out pretty black?

 

[JamesBryan]

Worth every penny then.
Does it come out pretty black?

Nah, like a dark red. Bright red to start with.

 

[Djw John]

Mmm. I wonder why mine was so black after so few miles.

Ah well, it's basically had a flush so that can't do any harm.

 

[JamesBryan]

Mmm. I wonder why mine was so black after so few miles.

Ah well, it's basically had a flush so that can't do any harm.

The Elf stuff in my old box used to go black quite quick too ?

 

[Gus]

I tend to do box oil once a year, sometimes more. It's so easy to do too and probably prolongs the life of the box.

 

[Gandi69]

seemingly ever 3 weeks at the moment with the driveshaftshaft problems ive been having. When its behaving 18 months/2 years using millers synthetic trx 75w80

 

[R3k1355]

Mmm. I wonder why mine was so black after so few miles.

Ah well, it's basically had a flush so that can't do any harm.

What oil are you using?
Could just be the dye changing colour under temperature?

 

[Djw John]

What oil are you using?
Could just be the colourant changing colour under temperature?

Yeah maybe, its just some Comma 75/80 mineral stuff from the factors.

 

[Greeny.]

Once a year with Elf NFJ 75W-80 on my trackcar, although this year it looked really clean but that was only with 4 track days last year so probably abit overkill but for the sake of 30 odd quid and abit of my time ill probably continue regardless.

 

[Danith]

Just done my Civic again and was done in Dec 2016 last. The oil was really clean and golden that came out, so I thought it was a waste of time and money. But definitely feels better for sure - although it's only been a day so far. 100 miles or so and I should tell properly.

 

[Silent_Scone]

Shouldn't need to change it all that often unless you do a lot of track work. Once every few years on a road car or if you're quite anal and have a lot of mechanical sympathy once every 2 years maybe depending on mileage.

 

[Rubicon_]

Be fine.

 

[RIC172]

Once a year for me. I bought the triple qx stuff from euro car parts. Took about 10 mins to change so worth doing

 

[mitch1503]

Mines been done 3 times in the last 25K miles, last time used the MTL

Dont see 60quid once a year or even twice a yr a big expense to keep the chocolate box working

 

[Clio_fool]

There's oil in the gearbox? Owned my car 2 years, never touched anything oily.

 

[Djw John]

Is anyone else's proper black when drained?

 

[clio_ross]

When I accidentally drained the box after popping the inner CV boot off the driveshaft bearing during a ball joint change (don’t ask!), the box oil was properly black.

From looking back at the history, it looks like the box oil was circa 20k old tho but was proper Elf oil.

 

[donnylad]

there a guide to doing it? I could do with doing mine hopefully its not too hard to do!

 

[JamesBryan]

there a guide to doing it? I could do with doing mine hopefully its not too hard to do!

Easy, drain plug underneath.

Plastic wing nut on the front of the box to fill up from.

Pour oil in until it runs back out of the fill hole.

Can either use a funnel and tube from the top or one of them hand pump things from underneath.

 

[Djw John]

Always remove the fill bolt first!

 

[Louis]

Yearly for me, just do it as part of the rest of the normal service!
My gearbox oil was black when it was changed when I got the car, was still golden the 2nd time. My engine oil was black after a year!

 

[JamesBryan]

Always remove the fill bolt first!

Very true!

 

[donnylad]

anyone reccomend what oil I should use and where is best place to buy?

The car will do no more then 200 miles within the year and more then likely less then 50 as its for sprinting only.

Also is there a certain tube people buy to fill it with / make it easier?

Thanks

 

[JamesBryan]

anyone reccomend what oil I should use and where is best place to buy?

The car will do no more then 200 miles within the year and more then likely less then 50 as its for sprinting only.

Also is there a certain tube people buy to fill it with / make it easier?

Thanks

About the best you can get.

RED LINE Syn Manual Gear Lubricant MTL 75W-80 GL4

The UK's largest independent supplier of automotive oils, fluid and parts. We've products to suit any vehicle, from full blown Race / Track weapons, to Daily Drivers looking to save money. Plus FREE expert advice & recommendations - OPIE KNOW OILS

www.opieoils.co.uk

I use one of these for filling

Laser Multi Purpose Mini Pump | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Make top up jobs easy with the Laser Multi Purpose Mini Pump. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

It's a bit of a pain doing it from underneath and you do get w*****s cramp after pumping for ages ?

 

[donnylad]

Thanks James!

it says 3L on the searches ive done, think the 3 quarts, 2.8 litre will be enough?

Can I just pump from the top, or have my mate pumping?

 

[JamesBryan]

Thanks James!

it says 3L on the searches ive done, think the 3 quarts, 2.8 litre will be enough?

Can I just pump from the top, or have my mate pumping?

Probably best to get the 4 quart, then you'll have some left over and can just get 3 quarts next time.

The tube on that pump is quite short tbh, so can't see it reaching from the top. Rope your mate in to do it lol.

 

[RIC172]

I used a long funnel instead, worked a treat. Don’t even need a mate!

 

[Djw John]

Funnel with a bit of garden hose for me

 

[donnylad]

what colour garden hose would you recommend? ?

cheers guys, will get the stuff ordered and get it done next week, first sprint is the 24th!!

 

[Rystar]

Funnel with a bit of garden hose for me

Second this! Works a treat. I've even just shoved the hose on the pull out nozzle type bottles before but that gives airlocks sometimes

 

[Martin.]

No need for pumps. Garden hose in the side with a funnel is all you'll ever need. Double check the car is level and when there's enough it will start to drip out the hole.

 

[Amos91]

This is what I use and its perfect for the task-

Laser Funnel 145mm Red | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Laser Funnel 145mm Red offers a clean and easy pour option when topping up your car. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

 

[hipwell]

This is what I use and its perfect for the task-

Laser Funnel 145mm Red | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Laser Funnel 145mm Red offers a clean and easy pour option when topping up your car. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Same. They sell them in Tesco express petrol stations for 2 quid

 

[RIC172]

I got this one. All 380mm in length.

When I was looking at it on my phone before buying my mrs saw it on my screen and thought it was something entirely different....