Gearbox Oil Level Plug - Which ?

[tonyp]

Just checking - I'm a bit confused after doing a search on past posts - there's a bit of conflicting info ?

Right, 84 S3 na - C35 box - oil level plug - LH side (n/s UK) there are 2 plugs in the side, identical nuts - Just in front of & above & below the speedo drive level. Am I actually right in thinking the lower nut is the level plug ? This is the level at the moment. Top nut used for filling (with a nice small funnel). Given the capacity is 2.25 litres this also suggests the lower is correct.

Manual & handbook surprisingly don't clearly identify this.

Wise comment appreciated !

[910Esprit]

Correct, its the lower plug. However, certainly on my S3 Tubo, the easiest way to fill the Gbox is via the big rubber inspection plug under the boot carpet. There is a filler plug underneath.

cheers

Steve 84 turbo

[peteyg]

Spot on Tony!

Pete

[dglotusltd]

Tony,

Steve is right. Its easy to fill from that top plug. Just remove the rubber plug in the boot and use a long neck funnel.

DomG

[tonyp]

Phew, thanks guys.

(major panic averted - I thought I'd lost all the g'box lube..)

[winners]

Just looking at doing this on mine. May be a stupid question but do you fill it to the top? Also anyone know if its common for them to leak from the drain plug, as mine seems to.

Ta

Mark

[dsvitesse1]

Phew, thanks guys.

(major panic averted - I thought I'd lost all the g'box lube..)

Forget the level plug. Jus fill it on top with 3 litre oil. That's better for lubrication of the 5th gear.

regarDS,

Harry Martens

www.ds-vitesse.com

[tonyp]

Well ... I did think about that - but prior experience of old cars & gearboxes led me to worry about the seals you can't get at - specifically the input shaft seal. If that's put under pressure you get oil into the bellhousing & then the clutch. & thats to be avoided. Plus undoubted drips from other sources like the speedo drive etc.

Given that I have no problems, noise, vibration, an excellent shift, then I think I'll stick with the level as is.

PS Took Lotti for a little test run last night - Up the 'struggle' from Ambleside & up & down Kirkstone pass. Boy do these cars go well !

[matk]

They're notorious for leaking at the drain plug. Mine does it too. Normally down to overtightening or generally not setting to correct torque which is quite critical for this.

[sandwer]

They're notorious for leaking at the drain plug. Mine does it too. Normally down to overtightening or generally not setting to correct torque which is quite critical for this.

Overtightening - oh yes. Thats exactly the problem I think I've just had. I had to use a bit of extension pipe on the wrench to get the thing undone! And yes, mine has always dripped a bit from the bolt - its always been moist.

[dsvitesse1]

Well ... I did think about that - but prior experience of old cars & gearboxes led me to worry about the seals you can't get at - specifically the input shaft seal. If that's put under pressure you get oil into the bellhousing & then the clutch. & thats to be avoided. Plus undoubted drips from other sources like the speedo drive etc.

Given that I have no problems, noise, vibration, an excellent shift, then I think I'll stick with the level as is.

PS Took Lotti for a little test run last night - Up the 'struggle' from Ambleside & up & down Kirkstone pass. Boy do these cars go well !

There is no pressure inside the gearbox. There is a airvent on top of the gearbox. I fill all my overhauld 5 speed gearboxes with 3 litre. No leaks at all. Use a hollow filled copper ring.

[sandwer]

They're notorious for leaking at the drain plug. Mine does it too. Normally down to overtightening or generally not setting to correct torque which is quite critical for this.

Okay - I'll bite as I've just started mine - what IS the correct torque for these? I can't find any mention of it in the books. And is the filler the 21mm socket on top of the gearbox that you would see when you take that grommet out of the boot floor?

[tonyp]

Okay - I'll bite as I've just started mine - what IS the correct torque for these? I can't find any mention of it in the books. And is the filler the 21mm socket on top of the gearbox that you would see when you take that grommet out of the boot floor?

Torque - Dunno - but not too tight - if mine leaked (it doesn't) I'd just use a bit of red haematite. Yes - top nut under bung for filling (tip - use a funnel !).

Raining again, effing forecast says cold & wet for forseeable future. Whatever happened to this 'ere global warmin' ?

Edited June 29, 2007 by tonyp

[sandwer]

Torque - Dunno - but not too tight - if mine leaked (it doesn't) I'd just use a bit of red haematite. Yes - top nut under bung for filling (tip - use a funnel !).

Raining again, effing forecast says cold & wet for forseeable future. Whatever happened to this 'ere global warmin' ?

Thanks, ended up filling it last night. A pal said that after you have filled it, jack the front of the car up for an hour, that way the oil can get to the back of the gearbox. There is apparently an internal lip that the oil can't get over, so the level plug starts leaking before you get to 2 litres. Then, when you let it down, you should be able to get back up to 2.25litres - or as Harry says, just stuff 3 litres in and be done with it

Heres another gotcha that YMMV with. Mine had dumped the remains of the oil after its maiden run, and thats why I replaced the drain plug and washers. Well, last night, after filling it, I could see where the leak was coming from and it wasn't from the plug - although thats where the leak was dripping from. There are two bolts that attach the exhaust mounting to the gearbox. Both of mine were loose - I mean, ready to fall out loose. And thats where my leak was coming from. I tightened them up and I'm now back to the small oil teardrop on the bottom of the drain plug, which as Mat says, TADTS....

Edited June 29, 2007 by RichardS3