Technical Should I change gearbox fluid?

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Technical Should I change gearbox fluid?

aijosh

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Hello,

I haven't changed my gearbox oil for as long as I can remember.

.1 Should I change it now OR should I just let sleeping dogs lie?

.2 If yes, what other oil is recommended. (We dont have Tutela here in my country.)

.3 Also does anyone have the exact volume of oil it needs?

I use a 5speed manual transmission.
1.6 16v engine

Thanks
 
No harm to change it. I used Total BV 75W-80 in my 6 speed 1.4. Be sure you can undo the filler nut before you let the oil out! Not sure about volume for your car but on my car I filled on level ground until it trickled out of the filler hole. It's important not to overfill as oil will come out of the gearbox vent and make a bit of a mess.
 
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Just under 2 litres gearbox oil 1.6 box takes but yes just drain and refit drain plug.Then just fill until it starts coming out.
Fill is at front(radiator side).
Drain plug at rear close to lower box mount bolts.
Same as fill plug.
 
From the Stilo Owner Handbook (download here)

Capacities (p. 257)

1.6 16v Gearbox: 1.65L

Fluids & Lubricants (p. 260)

Synthetic-based oil, grade SAE 75W-85
that passes API GL-4 PLUS, FIAT 9.55550
MIL-L- 2105 D LEV specifications.
 
From the Stilo Owner Handbook (download here)

Capacities (p. 257)

1.6 16v Gearbox: 1.65L

Fluids & Lubricants (p. 260)

Synthetic-based oil, grade SAE 75W-85
that passes API GL-4 PLUS, FIAT 9.55550
MIL-L- 2105 D LEV specifications.

My 2003 manual quotes slightly different specs:

Synthetic-based Oil, grade SAE 75W-80 EP
that passes API GL5 and MIL - L - 2105 D LEV Specifications.

Amount is the same at 1.65L though.

Says Selespeed Transmissions takes ATF Dextron III type additives.
 
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My 2003 manual quotes slightly different specs:

Synthetic-based Oil, grade SAE 75W-80 EP
that passes API GL5 and MIL - L - 2105 D LEV Specifications.

Amount is the same at 1.65L though.

Says Selespeed Transmissions takes ATF Dextron III type additives.

Interesting...

The download on the forum is dated 2006. Tutela Car Technyx was Fiat's recommendation at that time. What was the 'genuine lubricant' in 2003?
 
Thanks all.

Just wanted to know if at this point its best to just let it be since it might have started degrading and changing it might make it finally fail or produce other issues.

I'll do the change asap.
 
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The Petronas Tutela spec' looks like the one to go for. GL5 post-dates the Stilo 1.6 engine and gearbox, so if there's a question mark that it can attack any brass/copper components then it's best to give it a miss. The shifter forks in Fiat boxes are occasionally made from brass (though I have no idea about the 1.6 box).

If the oil has never been changed ever, then leaving it in there a bit longer might seem less hassle, but apart from it might have degraded with use (60,000 miles/100k kms is a usual ball-park change interval) it could also have leaked out a bit (e.g from the driveshaft seals) so you could be running with a low and falling gearbox oil level. It won't complain if you replace the gear oil.

Your box sounds like it has a single filler hole at the front. It'll be at 10 o'clock position if you're looking at the gearbox from the left wheel-arch and the drain is underneath. You just stick 1.65 litres in there, by the sound of it and the level should then be at the drain hole. Then squeeze a bit more in there until it dribbles out of the hole.

Alternatively, you could have a fill level hole on the side of the gearbox, facing out at you (your filler hole will be probably be on top of the gearbox, if you have this arrangement). The principle is the same... stick 1.65l +/- a few cc's in there and the oil should be just coming out of the fill level hole.

In either case it's a good tip to make sure you can remove the filler screw before you drain the oil.



Ralf S.
 
My 2003 manual quotes slightly different specs:

Synthetic-based Oil, grade SAE 75W-80 EP
that passes API GL5 and MIL - L - 2105 D LEV Specifications.

Amount is the same at 1.65L though.

Says Selespeed Transmissions takes ATF Dextron III type additives.
The Selespeed uses 2 different oils as there are 2 separate systems.

The hydraulic actuator part uses the "ATF Dexron III" CS Speed oil.

The actual gearbox part is like a regular Stilo box and uses SAE 75/80EP synthetic.
 
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