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Could someone tell me the best way to fill a Gearbox (mk5) with oil.

I have a drainage plug at the bottom and then a Plug at the top but not the very top and its on the side. It is more or less right above, were the drive shaft would connect to.

This looks like a hard place to get into and looks like it would be easier if it could be done before the driveshaft was put on.

I was thinking about using a hose and a funnel.

Any Tips & help would be Greatly appreciated.

Hit the nail on the head with the hose and funnel, if it's anything like the mk1/2/3 gearboxes. Bit of a pain but has to be done that way really as it's in such an awkward place to get to.

Cheers Groovy carrot
Can it be done woth the Driveshaft off, or would it pour out then.

Anyone know how much i should be puting in please.

It's sealed before the driveshaft flange, so it doesn't matter if you take it off. Don't know how much the box will need I'm afraid, the handbook probably lists capacities like that.

On the Mk1/2/3 085 series transmissions it's easiest if you take out the top fill plug, but pour in the oil through the speedo drive hole that's on top of the 'box (after removing the speedo drive pinion). On these models the 'box is full when oil starts to run out of the top fill plug. They take 3.1 litres.

However, the later Mk5 (which I think yours is?) takes a different amount to fill. What gearbox code is it? As it might be 2.7 litres or 1.9 litres depending on 'box type. And as GC said - there's no need to fit the driveshafts, as long as the gearbox output flanges are fitted it'll be fine.

I dont have the manual to check the oil amount.

How do i find out what type of box it is.

just buy three bottles (last time i looked they were a little less than a litre each anyway so you'll probably need that much even if it's "1.9") and top it up til it starts overflowing

I've got 3 Bottles. is it ok to top it up till it overflows. Someone told me that also was bad for the gearbox.

Tahrey1043 wrote:and top it up til it starts overflowing

Whilst that's true for the earlier 085 series transmissions I'm not 100% sure that the 6NF versions of them have an altered filler plug location to take into account the lower oil level. Maybe best to find out the 'box code (stamped on top of the transmission casing, or on the boot sticker alongside engine code and paint codes etc.) and fill accordingly.

The car's handbook/service book might even tell you which code transmission you've got, and the handbook should have filling quantities in it.

wul3er wrote:I've got 3 Bottles. is it ok to top it up till it overflows. Someone told me that also was bad for the gearbox.

If you're filling through the speedo drive hole, it's normal to fill until oil comes out the top filler plug on the side of the 'box. However, if it were me - I'd check and double check the quantity of oil needed, as you don't want to overfill the transmission.

interesting...

personally i'd take the stated quantity as a rough guide only and see if there's a method where you check how high up the oil you've put in has risen. I don't think I've had any fluid i've put into a car come particularly close to the prescribed amount, it's always been more or less (usually less).

Definately so when it came to oil - neither the engine nor the gearbox took anything like what I was expecting them to from the manuals. Something like a dipstick (box may have one now?) or a crude level checking method such as it coming out of an overflow hole that you have to open up (like bleeding brakes / coolant system) may be more accurate.... changes in design, residual old stuff, clogs and residues etc or even just innacurate figures.

edit: plus, unless the design has changed DRAMATICALLY, you DO NOT want to FILL the box - it will overflow and get onto the clutch plate, thereby totally knackering your clutch and stopping the car going anywhere. At least, that's the common knowledge

I'll have a look tommorow on the casing for what type it is. I dont have the Manual or Service book so i cant look up either.

The gearbox has also been changed several times so i wouldnt think that going by them would be any good.

The gearbox has a drainage plug at the bottom and then a filling one at the top which is right at the top, So if i filled untill it came out this filling plug then the gearbox WOULD'NT be full.

bottom bolt out, drain in to container

leave to drain

bottom bolt in


just take the plug out the one on the side nearer the top then fill until it starts to leak, then replace the plug

easy as so ^

PoloCornwall wrote:bottom bolt out, drain in to container

Done

leave to drain

Done

bottom bolt in

Done

just take the plug out the one on the side nearer the top then fill until it starts to leak, then replace the plug

Going To Do Tommorow.


Cheers for all the help. I'll post here when its done.

you forgot

*SIGN ON STEERING WHEEL TO REMIND YOU NOT TO DRIVE IT*

you really dont want the stress of getting an emergency phone call, running to jump in the car and suffering from a knackered box two miles later.