Tool for checking Gearbox Oil

[Lukeh17]

Hello,

Which tool do I need to buy when checking the gearbox oil? Is it some sort of key?

Thanks

[Tim_R]

I use one of these, but I cant be sure what size it is. Would need to check when i get home.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cars-Draper-383 ... B0001K9U28

[Lukeh17]

Thanks, I think they need to be 17mm

[duggers]

!7mm hex. I made one with an M10 bolt and welded an M10 nut at the end of the bolt thread . The bolt head fits perfectly.
Or just buy a 17mm hex key from your local motor factor or evil bay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-38323- ... Sw-jhUCdj1

[Lukeh17]

Hi thanks for this. However that is a drain plug key. I just want to check the oil level. Is there a tool or something to get the oil level/filler plug off or is it the same tool?

Cheers

[james butler]

should be the same tool buddy.
the level plug is next to the green end plate at the end of the gearbox.

[mark1gls]

Same tool and plug to check the oil level or to drain the oil.
Make sure the car is on level ground and sitting on the floor, if you turn the wheels full to the left you can get your head in under the arch and check the oil level, have a cloth underneath to catch and oil.
Do you know how old the oil is in the gearbox?
It does get neglected and is a simple job to change the oil and makes gear changes alot smoother especially when the gearbox is cold.

I think this is the grade I bought but will have to double check, 2 bottles are plenty.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volks ... &0&cc5_868

Everything you ever wanted to know about the VW gearbox, how to check the oil/oil change to rebuilding it.
http://www.brokevw.com/

Please make sure you use the right hole to top up the fluid if needed as some people have tried to fill the gearbox from the hole to check the timing on the fly wheel then wander why there clutch starts to slip as it's covered in oil...

[Lukeh17]

Thanks for the replies, will order the drain plug key. Mark I have had the car for just over 2 years now and I haven't changed it and I don't have much service history so no idea. I guess once I get under and check I will have more an idea. Thanks for the links too, that website looks incredibly useful!!

Thanks for the tips guys :)

[mark1gls]

If you have no idea how old the gearbox oil is I would change it, for the price of a couple bottles of oil it's cheaper than a gearbox rebuild.
I have seen it suggested that 40,000 miles is when you should change the oil, I go about 60,000 miles between oil changes.

[Lukeh17]

Ah right ok cool. Thanks for your help and guidance, much appreciated

[Lukeh17]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volks ... &0&cc5_868

Would this one be correct? On the label it says API-GL 4 which is what it says in the owners instructions manual, although it is mineral!!

[mark1gls]

I just checked and I stuck this stuff in my gearbox as that was what was recommended to me and 4 months later it seems to work well even when it's cold as its in my daily drive.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_868

One thing I did find annoying is that the bottle does not come with a filling long tube to stick in the filler hole, I was lucky and had a old gearbox oil bottle with one fitted which I used so you may need to find a tube and a funnel or simular as the filler hole is on the side of the gearbox and you need to stick a tube in there to fill it up and do it slowly or the oil will just hit the gears and pour straight back out on the floor.

Filler tube like this...
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww45 ... 301fcd.jpg

[Lukeh17]

Sweet that helps a lot, thanks for all the info, is 1 litre enough?

[mark1gls]

No you really need 2L, I used about 1 and 3/4 l when I filled mine up and I had the gearbox off the car and drained as much oil out as I could.
Keep what's left in case you want to top it up or if you have over 1/2 bottle left you can just buy 1L next time.