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ragphoto Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2008 Posts: 219 Location: Louisville Ky
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:53 am Post subject: Transmission oil change time |
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How often (miles) should I change the trans oil? |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31361 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:47 am Post subject: |
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30K miles. Remove the fill plug first. if that doesn't come out, don't drain. You need a 17mm allen wrench for both; gain leverage with a box or open end wrench with it. 80-90W gear oil is thick, get the little pump that screws onto its bottles (e.g. Valvoline). It's NOT engine oil or ATF !!! _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69802 Location: Phoenix Metro
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bgprest Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2009 Posts: 158 Location: Plano, TX
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject: Manual says transmission oil doesn't need to be changed-why? |
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I've searched the forums and see that most people say that the transmission oil should be changed every 30,000 miles which sounds right to me.
But why, in my '78 convertible manual, does it say the following?
"Both transmission and final drive are combined in one housing. The lubricant used is hypoid oil which does not have to be changed. Should the need arise to add oil, it should only be done with the necessary workshop equipment."
Why is it that the manual disregards a need to change the transmission oil and just what is hypoid oil?
Also, specific type/brand information do you guys recommend when changing the transmission oil?
Thanks. |
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21510 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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Because techniclaly...with normal usage (unlike motor oil).....hypoid gear oil does not really wear out and in general does not get dirty (no engine blow by like motor oil)
But there are a couple of reasons why you should change your oil at 30K:
(a) Condensation of water vapor in the transmission through air expanding in and out of the vent hole as the transmission heats up and cools down. In general its not a big deal as long as the tranmission gets warmed up when you drive. But in very humid areas it can be a problem. Over a period of time the oil can get milky and contaminated by water vapor.
(b) So you can inspect the magnetic drain plug and oil to see if you have metal particles from bearings...so you get a basic idea of the condition of your tranmission.
Ray |
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ANSAracingb Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2009 Posts: 557 Location: Morgan Hill CA
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Manual says transmission oil doesn't need to be changed- |
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bgprest wrote: |
Also, specific type/brand information do you guys recommend when changing the transmission oil?
Thanks. |
I used Valvoline 80w90. 80w90 is all you need, brand preference is up to you. I used Valvoline because it was either that or some no-name brand for waaaay cheaper, and I didn't wanna go that route. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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If when you change it for the first time and the gear oil seems filthy it is a good idea to change it again 1,000 miles later. There after at 30,000 mile intervals.
Having helped a friend change her gear oil in a DD 1959 bus, and the oil looked just like and was as thin as chocolate milk!! Ran much quieter after that!! _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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candymustang65 Banned
Joined: January 11, 2010 Posts: 1674 Location: APPLE VALLEY
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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Probably has a million mile's on it ?
wont hurt to Change it !
Also check that vent holes are clear < Slow the Leakage Maybe if any is present !
Thinkin the 30K miles your refering to may be that if IRS the Stub Axle Bearing's << often People dont realize that IRS Rear bearing's are greased and not lubed by the Transaxle Gear Oil !
Testimony to How tough these Car's are < probably hasnt had rear bearing's packed in a Million Mile's ?
Lott's of IRS runnin around out there with neglected rear bearing's ?
Sean |
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dylan.r.1080 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009 Posts: 213 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:31 pm Post subject: |
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Not to hijack but... about how much oil does it take? _________________ Just another freak, in the freak kingdom. |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26306 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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The transaxle capacity is the same as the engine, actually. So buy 3 quarts and expect to use a little over 2 and a half of them.
-Andy |
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dylan.r.1080 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009 Posts: 213 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you _________________ Just another freak, in the freak kingdom. |
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ANSAracingb Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2009 Posts: 557 Location: Morgan Hill CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
Having helped a friend change her gear oil in a DD 1959 bus, and the oil looked just like and was as thin as chocolate milk!! Ran much quieter after that!! |
Someone had probably put either motor oil or ATF in there at some point...it shouldn't be thin like that! Lol
When I did my manual transmission fluid change on my '87 Mustang GT, I removed the drain plug to find someone had put ATF in there. No wonder it was leaking from the rear seal!
It happens... |
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Yehan73 Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2008 Posts: 648 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:36 am Post subject: |
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I use mobile one synthetic on mine, 80w-90 I think. Comes in a silver bottle. Really made a difference in cold weather, Gear changes were so much easier. No leaks, like some think synthetics would do.
I created my own pressure pump to pump the TR fluid into the transaxle. It's very thick, so hard to manually pump.
I took a large glass jar, made in/out ports and hooked one side to the air compressor 5psi (don't use more than that, or you could bust the glass jar or pop the lid) and the other side to the TR fill hole. You can buy the supplies at your local hardware store for less than $10. |
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mnussbau Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2006 Posts: 4589 Location: Central Maryland
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2019 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission oil |
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Bringing this old post back from the dead...I see the 30k recommendation up there, but at this point our Beetles are so old that this represents a lifetime--I'll go 30 years between changes! Somehow I'm not comfortable letting it go that long.
Does anyone have a recommendation for changing every X years? Mine's been 13 years and about 12k miles at this point, and I'm going to change it over the winter, just wondering what people think. _________________ Mike
Sold my sedan
Parts... |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12466
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2019 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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ANSAracingb wrote: |
Eric&Barb wrote: |
Having helped a friend change her gear oil in a DD 1959 bus, and the oil looked just like and was as thin as chocolate milk!! Ran much quieter after that!! |
Someone had probably put either motor oil or ATF in there at some point...it shouldn't be thin like that! Lol
When I did my manual transmission fluid change on my '87 Mustang GT, I removed the drain plug to find someone had put ATF in there. No wonder it was leaking from the rear seal!
It happens... |
Google Redlne MT 90 it’s a synthetic you may have dumped some good oil not knowing. This stuff works great in my six speed Tacoma. |
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vwracerdave Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004 Posts: 15299 Location: Deep in the 405
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2019 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission oil |
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mnussbau wrote: |
Does anyone have a recommendation for changing every X years? |
I suggest every 5 years. _________________ 2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK
Featured in Dec. 2001 HOT VW's Magazine page 63
Watch my racing video's http://www.youtube.com/user/okvwracer/videos |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2019 6:26 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission oil change time |
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It’s just a guessing game from here. 30,000? This or that, so many years?
My advice? Set a number that doesn’t seem outrageous to you. VW said it was a lifetime, unless you had to temporarily change to a thinner oil in the attic, which I assume is like, Canada, or Alaska.
I changed mine because I didn’t know what was in there, and it’s nice to know that you put a quality oil in your transmission, yourself.
I, too, used Redline, and the cold-morning shifts were noticeably smoother, which, tome, means better.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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mnussbau Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2006 Posts: 4589 Location: Central Maryland
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Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission oil change time |
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Thanks for the replies. I'll probably go 5-10 years between changes.
For what it's worth, I know there's been a lot of controversy over GL-4 vs GL-5 MT1 fluid. 13 years ago I put in GL-5 MT1 (Valvoline DuraBlend Synthetic), and so far the transmission hasn't self destructed. _________________ Mike
Sold my sedan
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Relyt Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2012 Posts: 1008 Location: WA
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Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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ANSAracingb wrote: |
Eric&Barb wrote: |
Having helped a friend change her gear oil in a DD 1959 bus, and the oil looked just like and was as thin as chocolate milk!! Ran much quieter after that!! |
Someone had probably put either motor oil or ATF in there at some point...it shouldn't be thin like that! Lol
When I did my manual transmission fluid change on my '87 Mustang GT, I removed the drain plug to find someone had put ATF in there. No wonder it was leaking from the rear seal!
It happens... |
I used to have a Fox Body Mustang. The GT should have a T5 transmission which takes ATF or Synchromesh fluid.
EDIT: I just realized this post is from 9 years ago... I wonder how his transmission fared with a much thicker weight then recommended by the manufacturer, probably blamed its destruction on the ATF he drained out _________________ 69 Beetle - Daily driver
1600 SP (unknown history)
30 PICT 1 w/power circuit (Volkzbitz)
205T (Bill) |
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Jimbug57 Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2002 Posts: 817 Location: Mid Michigan
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Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission oil change time |
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My 73 Super transaxle is an unknown to me. It leaks front and rear - not enough to drip, just to coat. I'm thinking if I at least drained and filled it I'd feel better.
I've had 3 quarts of Redline MT-90 sitting on a shelf for over a year. Is it OK to drain the conventional oil out and then refill with the synthetic? Has anyone done that with no issues later?
Or should I go buy 90 weight GL-4? _________________ Repeat after me "I am smarter than metal!" |
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