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Whaanga Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2016 Posts: 627 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:32 pm Post subject: Changing Gear Oil |
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It's time to change the gear oil in my 73 manual transaxle. The last time I changed it, the engine/tranny were out of the bus so changing/adding new oil was easy. This time, I'm changing the oil with the tranny mounted under the bus.
Does anyone have any tricks or methods for filling the transaxle case with oil? It's in an awkward position and it's hard to get a funnel at the optimal angle.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff _________________ Late 1973 Bay w/a transplanted 914 Engine |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6982 Location: Durango, CO
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34012 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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Rule One: Make sure the fill plug is easily removed BEFORE you drain the old stuff out and only then find out you can't get any oil back into it! |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50348
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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The method of using a hose long enough to reach the outside of the van body so you can just pour into a funnel connected to the hose works well when its warm enough.
I tend to use an oil suction gun which I refill by removing the endcap and pouring it full from a 5 gallon pail. Kind of slow and requires many trips under the van to get the job done, but this has been how I have been doing it for 50 years. I have learned over the years how to be quite neat and tidy when using this method. |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16970 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:14 pm Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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I use a 5 gallon bucket of gear oil with a hand pump but that’s because I do this a lot, like today. In your case buy the quart size squeeze bottles and tip it horizontally into the fill port and go for it.
Quick tip: cut the nozzle so it flows better and heat the oil. _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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Nicholas D Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2012 Posts: 225 Location: Charleston, SC
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2023 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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I just cut a section of hose long enough to put on the tip of the bottle and fed into the fill hole while my son slowly let it fill from the side of the bus. I just held the hose in the fill hole and yelled at him about doing it wrong or some such... Not really, but that's part of the fun for the kids I figure. _________________ 71 Westfalia
73 Beetle |
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mikedjames Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2012 Posts: 2743 Location: Hamble, Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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Some brands of gearbox oil quart bottles have better spouts and more flexible plastic bottles for squeezing out the oil.
I ended up refilling an old quart bottle several times over , as the new bottles were less easy to use. _________________ Ancient vehicles and vessels
1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.
1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy |
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vwmerckx Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2012 Posts: 195 Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2023 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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Set the gallon of gear oil in the warm Phoenix, AZ sun for a couple of hours
Took advantage that I had the engine out - but I have done this with the engine in and just as easy.
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W1K1 Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2004 Posts: 4921 Location: Southern AB
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Whaanga Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2016 Posts: 627 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2023 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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Thanks for the responses. I rigged up a ladder, funnel, and long tube. It was a very do-able job and it’s nice to know there is fresh oil in the gear box.
_________________ Late 1973 Bay w/a transplanted 914 Engine |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6982 Location: Durango, CO
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Whaanga Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2016 Posts: 627 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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I was working alone so had to have a stable way to hold the funnel.
The only issue was a bee got in the funnel and when I poured more oil, the bee got stuck in the fluid - took a while before it made its way to the end of the hose. I got it out before it got entombed in the tranny case. _________________ Late 1973 Bay w/a transplanted 914 Engine |
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timvw7476 Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2013 Posts: 2205 Location: seattle
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:17 am Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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as mentioned above, heat it up or leave it in a warm inside space before pouring. Once did a clutch job/trans service on a Nissan in january. 35 degrees, 38 minutes to refill. True story. |
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Nitramrebrab72 Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2018 Posts: 485 Location: France
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:32 am Post subject: Re: Changing Gear Oil |
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Make sure to use API GL-4 not 5 or you will naff up the syncros over time. |
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