Hi there,

I have a 1999 1.2 Punto. First and second gear are getting a bot "notchy" so I thought I'd replace the gearbox oil and see if that helped. I searched for the 8mm drain plug as per the Haynes manual but couldn't find it anywhere! If I understand correctly it's supposed to be on the bottom LHS of the transmission, just below the drivetrain (axle, whatever it's called ).

I can see the 12mm fill/level plug no probelm, at the front of the transmission, but no drain plug. Am I missing something obvious here - I don't see how I can drain the old oil via the filler without rotating the entire transmission 90 degrees?

Perhaps I could siphon it out? Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

I changed the wife's at the weekend. The drain plug is at the lowest point on the gearbox and faces the rear of the car. It's a little to the passenger side of a centre line going through teh car if you know what I mean! I've got a picture of it on my digi cam, I could email it to you??

locating it is a bugger as it often gets showered with muck (being a little behind the wheels), its the getting it out thats the problem, I snapped two quality allen keys (like £22 for eight with a lifetime gureentee that didn't guarentee in this case) trying to get the bugger out.

Thanks folks!

It sounds like I was looking in the wrong place. I'll have another look once the weather warms up a bit

I know what you mean about the effort faster4_tec, taking the filler plug out broke my (admittedly cheapo) ratchet handle - straight back to Argos! I'll try with my new Stanley one and see how it goes.

And why does gearbox oil have to smell so bad? Makes me feel queasy :yuck: