Gearbox lube

[Andy B]

What's the best/easiest way to check, top up or change gearbox oil?
Thanks in advance.

[Brian Skeoch]

I use mobil 1 synthetic but have heard good reports on redline.

[Autocross7]

I am running Red Line and have nothing bad to say about it. Several folks around here like Royal Purple as well...

As for checking it, I usually just change it (far more than needed) every 24 months or so. I have the Citroen/Maseratti gear box and it has a nice fill line plug. Yours should be similar as there is only so many ways to make a gear box...? When removed you can easily feel that the level is correct and it also prevents overfilling to some degree. Drain plug is at the bottom and the fill plug is up top under the boot floor... straight forward. With the fill line plug removed (and the old gear oil out and drain plug replaced), just fill up the case until you feel the oil at the edge or the fill line plug drips...


Cameron

[Esprit2]

What's the best/easiest way to check, top up or change gearbox oil?
Thanks in advance.
Andy,

Sooner or later I might remember what everyone drives, but until then...
which model?

In general...
Check the oil level hot (after a drive of sufficient length) with the car parked on a level surface.

Remove the level plug on the side of the gearbox. If oil runs out, leave the plug out until the flow subsides. Replace the plug and clean up the mess.

If no oil runs out, then stick your little finger, or some handy probe into the hole to see if oil is right at the edge, or further down. If it's further down, then add oil to bring it up to the edge. It's easiest to over fill slightly and then let the excess run out. Replace the plug.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[Brian Skeoch]

about how many quarts will go in a citreon box ?

[WayneB]

Hi Andy.

The fill bung is on the passenger side (R/H) on the Cortina gearbox about half way up the casing at the rear almost by the aluminium tailstock, and has a pipe plug type square recess that your 1/2" socket drive should fit into.

The drain bung is the same but underneath the casing (if it has one, some dont)

Once you undo the bung , the oil level should idealy be level with the lower edge of the hole, but dont worry If it is slightly under (I usually stick my little finger in the hole to feel If its at the level)

I check them cold (you can do them either way,the level is a bit higher when the box is warm but not enough to worry about0 and use mineral EP 80w 90 Castrol gear oil in them(it doesnt leak out the seals as much as a synthetic and makes the gears and bearings last longer IMO) The synthetics free a bit of horsepower and give a slightly easier change change , but I dont feel they climb up into the upper bearings and gears and stick around like a good mineral gear oil does.

So either undo the lower bung and drain the lot out into a pan and refill through the side bung opening or just undo the side bung and check the level and state of the oil and top it up If needed.

http://www.burtonpower.com/technical_1/techpics/type3gearbox.jpghttp://www.buyersguide.com/images/lubricants/automotiveGearOil/CastrolHYPOYCGearOil.jpg

[Andy B]

Thanks guys, I think I better take another look. From what I'd remembered the gearbox was not accessible from underneath because of that sheet of aluminum riveted to the frame.
I'm replacing the A frame bushings and checking the rear axle level this afternoon so perhaps I'll lift the complete car and take a look.
I'll keep you posted.

As Wayne suggested mine has a Cortina 4 speed and a solid rear axle.

[Esprit2]

about how many quarts will go in a citreon box ?
4.8 US Pints / 4 Imperial Pints / 2.25 Liters

SAE 80, API GL5

Regards,
Tim Engel