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mondshine Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006 Posts: 2769 Location: The World's Motor Capital
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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I used to photograph Fuller and Rockwell transmissions.
Man- those were some big units!
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Thing_Man73 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2014 Posts: 70 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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This has gotten a little off topic. I figure gear oil is not very expensive so why not replace it every few years? I drain mine and put in new synthetic lube whenever it seems to shift harder, the new oil makes it shift like a dream. For the price of a 12 pack of beer you can have a nice smooth shifting transition. |
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Mark Lewalski Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2010 Posts: 406 Location: Safety Harbor, FL (Tampa Bay)
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Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 5:35 am Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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Just gotta say...
Wow!
Just because you have an opinion doesn't mean others that differ are wrong.
Obviously, there are different ways to do this based on tech manuals and personal experience.
To the OP:
It doesn't seem like it will hurt anything to change your oil... maybe give you some satisfaction of knowing its fresh. Nothing wrong with that.
To some of the folks who have posted here:
Chill a little guys... this is supposed to be for enjoyment. I know it's easy to get fired up, but how would we act if we were standing in front of each other at a VeeDub meet?
Mark _________________ '89 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg "Bluestar" (given to and owned by my son now)
'87 Vanagon Weekender
'74 Thing |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69813 Location: Phoenix Metro
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BJT Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2018 Posts: 187
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 12:15 pm Post subject: Re: manual transmission oil change? |
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First time transmission oil changer here.
Two questions:
1- anyone know the diameter of the fill hole? Wondering what size of tube to use to fill it via the “trans-enema” method.
2- (haven’t gotten under the car to look yet) but are the drain and fill bolts regular metric hex head or some other type? Star? Allen? Whatever freaky type the Germans wanted to use so you have to by a special tool for everything?
Thanks
mondshine wrote: |
"By the book" the transmission oil is changed after the first 600 miles, and never again (wow!).
Most VW people I know change their transmission oil every 30,000 miles.
One suggestion is to remove the fill plug first (to be sure that you can; they are sometimes frozen in place) before removing the drain plug.
I fill it using the "trans-enema" technique; works great!
As for oil, there are many conflicting opinions about which oil to use.
If you enjoy reading through a good pissing contest, check this link:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=276529
I purchased a replacement trans-axle from Rancho at the end of last season, and Dave (at Rancho) said to use LAT 80W90 which exceeds API-GL5.
I figure he knows a lot more about these trans-axles than I do, so I followed his advice.
He also said that it was unnecessary to change it after "break-in".
I have not driven 600 miles since the trans was installed, so I will think about that until next Spring (when the car comes out of storage).
Hope that helps, Mondshine |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: manual transmission oil change? |
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BJT wrote: |
First time transmission oil changer here.
Two questions:
1- anyone know the diameter of the fill hole? Wondering what size of tube to use to fill it via the “trans-enema” method.
2- (haven’t gotten under the car to look yet) but are the drain and fill bolts regular metric hex head or some other type? Star? Allen? Whatever freaky type the Germans wanted to use so you have to by a special tool for everything?
Thanks
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17mm allen wrench, special tool for everything. |
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mondshine Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006 Posts: 2769 Location: The World's Motor Capital
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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My "trans-enema" tube is 5/8" ID, 3/4" OD. It's just plain old clear neoprene hose from any hardware store.
The drain and fill plugs are 17mm socket head (Allen head) plugs.
Have fun, Mondshine |
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BJT Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2018 Posts: 187
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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Got it done. Everything went well, lots of gunk on the magnetic bolt...
thanks for everyone’s help/advice. |
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N2Ghias Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2012 Posts: 4 Location: LA
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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First time oil changer here as well. Does anyone know why Gear oil smells so rank? I've changed my own engine oil numerous times and never noticed any strong odors. My gear oil was so black and smelled really bad. Lots of nasty gunk along w/ some metal shavings at the magnet on the drain plug.
I never really new to change out the transmission/gear oil as a form of VW maintenance. |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:38 am Post subject: Re: Manual transmission oil change? |
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Active sulfur added as an extreme pressure additive. Some of the oils available forty years ago would make me physically sick when I handled them, modern oils typically have less active sulfur and thus don't stink as bad. |
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