Apologies for yet another gearbox oil thread, but I did a search and couldn't find a conclusive answer to my question.

I’m looking to change the gearbox oil on my X250 2.3 130 van, and was wondering if you simply replace what drains out or add the full 2.7 litres as per the manual?

Only asking as I’ve not changed the oil on a sealed gearbox with no dipstick or oil run out indicator before and am a little concerned that there maybe an amount of oil remaining after draining which means if I then add the full 2.7L on top there could be issues.

Anyone know what the best route is?

Duke Cat O said:

Apologies for yet another gearbox oil thread, but I did a search and couldn't find a conclusive answer to my question.

I’m looking to change the gearbox oil on my X250 2.3 130 van, and was wondering if you simply replace what drains out or add the full 2.7 litres as per the manual?

Only asking as I’ve not changed the oil on a sealed gearbox with no dipstick or oil run out indicator before and am a little concerned that there maybe an amount of oil remaining after draining which means if I then add the full 2.7L on top there could be issues.

Anyone know what the best route is?

Click to expand...

Hi,
I don't know the details for the Ducato, but normally eLearn gives two figures for gearbox oil one for a fill from "dry" when the gearbox has been opened, and a lower "refill" amount for when it has just been drained. If there is only one figure given then add that amount after draining.

Robert G8RPI.

Was told by a local gearbox repairer to put in 3 litres.

He says that the extra will help the gears from oil starvation and have no effect on the overall operation.

Have changed mine twice in the last few months and have put in Tutela Matryx fully synthetic this time, and it really has made a great difference. Saw on another forum that this was good oil for the Ducato box. Stuff is thinner than water !!!
Previously I felt that the synchros were dragging a bit but now a lot smoother and hoping that the box gets easier yet as the miles add up. Only at 7500 miles.

Changed oil when I bought the van with 3600 miles purely for my own assurance that it was ok and had enough oil. It was surprising just how much swarf there was on the plug with so few miles.

Thanks for the replies guys.

@ Robert, I have checked Elearn and it simply states 2.7 litres for the refill, nothing mentioned regarding wet or dry fill amounts. Then again my van is a 2014 model so not sure that Elearn will be relevant as I believe it ceased in 2008 and there may have been gearbox updates since then?

@ Joiner, Thanks for the info, can I ask what age/model your van is?

I’ve followed the manual and gone with the Tutela Transmission Experya SAE 75w- 80, but want to be sure of the correct amount to add to a freshly drained box. I’ve contacted the Fiat Professional garage I bought it from but am still awaiting a response. Just want to get the oil changed before winter properly sets in.

@ Duke Cat O
2.7l sounds like it. There is unlikey to be a revision. A little extra oil will do no harm, even the suggeted 3l is unlikey to cause any problems.

Robert G8RPI.

Current van is a 2017 model.

Last one was a 2015 and bought with 57000 miles at 18 months old. Needed a new DPF and a new 2nd gear and 2nd gear syncro within weeks of purchase. All was done under warranty and have no complaints about Fiat or garage concerned who did the work.

Bought a 2007 Ducato brand new, and it was a really good van but can not afford to buy a new van with today`s prices, hence the reason to look after the box of this one which I plan to keep for a long time.

Must say the engine in the first van was by far the best one. The current one is a 150 and certainly would not pay the extra over the 120 if ordering a new one.

The revised amount is 2.9 litre ( this is engraved on the any new gearbox on the differential cover). The box drains quite well so I would put in that amount, even 3.0 litre does not seem unreasonable. Providing its a thin GL4 oil 75W-85 or 75W-80 it should be OK. The fully synthetic Tutela Matryx is very good and has the advantage of tolerating temperature and moisture much better than normal oils. The GL4 rating is important as additives in GL4+ and GL5 oils can damage the syncro surfaces. The gearbox needs all the help it can get as the two shaft design puts high loads on the bearings and the factory built tolerances are not the best.
Mike

Can certainly agree with the GL rating.

The oil I changed to originally was a GL5, quality oil, but the synchros seemed to drag terribly when cold first thing in the morning.

Changing to the Tutela has made a great difference but i still have to be careful especially changing up to 3rd.

Spoke to Fiat mechanic who says it should get better after about 25000 miles.
Only 3 years to wait then .........

Thanks for all the info guys, will check my box later for the 2.9L fill mark, but will probably just add that amount anyway. Can confirm that I will be using the recommended Tutela Transmission Experya SAE 75w- 80 GL4 oil.


One other thing, can anyone recommend a decent thread lock for the drain plug? I was looking at loctite 243 (medium strength) or the high strength 270 version. What do you guys use?