IS THIS CORRECT?
I have been told by fiat that the gearbox oil will never need changing as it will last the life of the van!
I have done just over 100k !
Is there a filling and drain plugs on these gear boxes the only filling point I can see would be from reverse gear switch
LUIGI

No the oil usually won’t last the life of the vehicle and yes there are fill and drain ports on the gearbox.

Usually two plugs about 3inchs or so apart one above the other on the front of the gearbox on the punto and grande, I’d be surprised if yours isn’t the same being essentially a punto van, but it might have a different gearbox and filling method

What flavour oil ep?

Hi 2668GRIFFIN,
I have always been looking for how to get this replaced, asked several garages and they dont want to know or interested. since you brough out this topic, any progress up til now? thanks.

Hi
Both fill and drain plugs are on the front of the gear box facing the radiator
Both plugs have a 12mm hex
I have bought the oil and have the new reverse light switch and I will do a picture of the process so you can see how it's done
The oil is 75W-85
LUIGI

Hi 2668GRIFFIN,
I went through some enquiries with Fiat dealers and some fiat specialists a while back, they advised to use selespeed system tutela cs speed oil, plus tutela car matrix should also be replaced at the same time, together with a reset thingy only by Fiat software i was told.

i hadnt had a clue back then what to do as my local mechanic was not keen to get it changed until he sees a leak or red light on dash.
Today i have done routine oil changed and while at it under the car, this drain plug ( see photo ) is covered in some kind of oily yellow like rust , nowhere else with the same substance can be found, i suspect is from the leaked gearbox fluid but unsure, so please guide us how you get your done, many thanks.

Oil and reverse light switch change done!
The drain plug is on the end facing the Nearside wheel
Drain plug needs a 10mm Allen key or hex bit
Fill plug is just ubove the reverse light switch and is 12mm hex or Allen key
Reverse light switch needs a 19mm combination spanner
From your picture it is hard for me to see this yellow stuff you are talking about
LUIGI

Hi LUIGI,

Can i pls check mine is 1.3 diesel dualogic, is yours 1.3 or 1.4?

For the gearbox oil change, i checked with a lady called Tintin in italy and Fiat uk , them both stated to change dualogic gearbox hydraulic activation system, it needs to connect to a diagnostic system to bleed the system, is this the same as what you have just changed?

You mentioned the reverse light switch, i assumed this is a separate issue?

About the oily yellow stuff covered only on that nut, can i pls check can you recognise the what is that nut for?

Thank you so much.

Scot

Zron said:

Hi LUIGI,

Can i pls check mine is 1.3 diesel dualogic, is yours 1.3 or 1.4?

Click to expand...

If yours is a Dualogic then its an automatic gearbox which is completely different to change the oil to a normal manual gearbox, it also has a filter that will need changing which a manual gearbox does not.

I looked at the picture you posted above. I can see some aircon pipes, an aircon compressor and a bolt mounting the aircon compressor, I however do not see any drain plugs or oily yellow substance. this photo is of the opposite end of the engine to the gearbox, so i have to wonder if you posted the wrong photo.

That photo defo shows air con compressor and pipes and NO gearbox
My van is 1.3 with manual 5 speed box and NOT the same as yours
And yes the reverse light switch was replaced as it failed to work when hot
LUIGI

Hi AndyRKett,

This photo is the underside of my car, as i was changing engine oil yesterday and while under the car, i always check for leak signs and saw this.
As you have mentioned, i was just taking this photo to show the yellow substance, not meant to show the gearbox , because i dont know for dualogic where is the draining and fill plugs are.

The yellow oily substance only covered the nut, i am quite detail with my under car, before this yellow substance appeared, i have had the underside of car grease free, thus i can tell this leak is only recently, i just wondered what is inside this nut that is sealing from.

Do you happened to know how and when or ever does dualogic gearbox oil needs replacing? Do you agree with the advises i was told ( change dualogic gearbox hydraulic activation system, it needs to connect to a diagnostic system to bleed the system)

Thank you so much.

Scot

That photo defo shows air con pump and pipes and NO gearbox
My van is 1.3 with manual 5 speed box and NOT the same as yours
LUIGI

Hi LUIGI,
so that nut was from the air con pump, what would likely to be leaking from the pump?
Thank you.

Scot

HI SCOT
see picture
Are you talking about the bolt head which I have marked with an arrow?
If that is right its JUST RUST and nothing to worry about
LUIGI

Just to add
I have had the van since it had 24000 miles on, it now reads 105.000 and the oil to my surprise was still yellow and not black at all
Even the drain plug magnet was clear of debris

Hi LUIGI
Yes the arrow is Pointing correctly, Do u know whats behind this bolt, because the thickness and form of it dont look like rust, also the plate where the bolt sits has a very slow leak, the leak looks clear yet oily.
The weird thing is, if this bolt was covered in rust, this is The only bolt covered in rust for the whole of the underside of the engine, nowhere else u will see similar rust, thus i am taking extra caution.
Thank u so much.

Scot

Zron said:

Hi LUIGI
Yes the arrow is Pointing correctly, Do u know whats behind this bolt, because the thickness and form of it dont look like rust, also the plate where the bolt sits has a very slow leak, the leak looks clear yet oily.
The weird thing is, if this bolt was covered in rust, this is The only bolt covered in rust for the whole of the underside of the engine, nowhere else u will see similar rust, thus i am taking extra caution.
Thank u so much.

Scot

Click to expand...

Nothing is behind that bolt, well not technically true the engine is behind that bolt, it is nothing more than a mounting bolt which attaches the aircon pump to the engine block its not sealing in any oils liquids or oily substances, it is just a bolt. its possible if this bolt has been out at any time someone might have put some sort of grease on it, but that said, I cannot see any yellow or oily substances in that photo. It just looks like a coating of surface rust.

Hi Andy,

Thank you for explaining about that bolt.

As for dualogic gearbox oil, can u advise what to do routine changing after X miles, ( Do you happened to know how and when or ever does dualogic gearbox oil needs replacing? Do you agree with the advises i was told ( change dualogic gearbox hydraulic activation system, it needs to connect to a diagnostic system to bleed the system)
Thank u so much.

Scot

Looking at that bolt again.....i think it just one of the bolts that hold the compressor to the block
Without a more detailed picture and seeing it in the flesh i can't advise any more on this bolt and suspect leak
I can tell you that my bolt is the same as yours and the same colour!
LUIGI

2668GRIFFIN said:

IS THIS CORRECT?
I have been told by fiat that the gearbox oil will never need changing as it will last the life of the van!
I have done just over 100k !
Is there a filling and drain plugs on these gear boxes the only filling point I can see would be from reverse gear switch
LUIGI

Click to expand...

Hmmm, dubious advice at best.
In the recent cold spell my 2015 Fiorino van (90000 miles) refused to go into gear until it had warmed up.
I took it my local garage to have the gearbox oil changed. His comment when I picked it up was that he was considering taking the old oil home to put on his mince pies, it was so creamy. It would appear that water, probably from condensation, had contaminated the oil. In freezing temperatures the water content had, predictably, begun to freeze and turned the whole mess into thick sludge.
Does no harm to get it changed anyway IMHO.