Technical Correct Gearbox Oil

[inspector monkfish]

Hi Everyone!

I 'm new here, but not to Fiats or even multis. Had a 2001 jtd 110 for a year or so, then made the big mistake of selling it and getting a toyota estima. What a money pit that car was, I know Fiats have a reputation, but I've never had one as bad as that toyota!! Anyway, cut my losses after a while and got a 2003 115 JTD, i just couldn't be without one!! This one does need a few bits though. Garage has checked it out and needs new rear shock absorbers, rear brake shoes, glowplugs, and a reversing light switch.

Well, better start somewhere. The garage will do the brakes for me, i'm going to do the shock absorbers and reverse switch and I'm going to take my chances at leaving the glowplugs alone. (coil light flashes on dash after startup)

Basically though, as per the thread title, when I do the reverse light switch I will loose some oil, so might as well change it all. I have found some castrol 75/90 syntrans multivehicle is this ok for the multi's gearbox or do I need something else?

Thanks for reading!

Inspector Monkfish

 

[inspector monkfish]

Anyone? Think i'll get that one anyway, can't be too far wrong!

 

[widemouthfrog]

My handbook for a 2004 roundnose says SAE 75W-80EP synthetic based transmission oil. The one I use is Tutela ZC75 (again, that's what the handbook recommends). Shop4Parts sell it.

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

My handbook for a 2004 roundnose says SAE 75W-80EP synthetic based transmission oil. The one I use is Tutela ZC75 (again, that's what the handbook recommends). Shop4Parts sell it.

What mileage or yearly interval should this be done ?

 

[widemouthfrog]

No interval/mileage is given for replacement. It says to check gearbox oil level every 36k miles.

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

No interval/mileage is given for replacement. It says to check gearbox oil level every 36k miles.

Thanks, I have just passed that marker, so time to check.

 

[inspector monkfish]

Well, replaced the 2 rear shockers today, nice straightforward job, and no clunking from the rear anymore either! The lower mount is narrower than the originals, but the centre bush is the same length so went on ok, just looks a bit strange with the washer under the bolt, then a gap!!

Drained gearbox oil, replaced with fresh, tutela zc75 as suggested (great service from shop4parts too) and changed the reverse switch too, but the reversing light still doesn't work!! Looks like i'm going to have to do some faultfinding on the wiring at some point, but I don't think the reverse light is part of the MOT so not urgent.

Egr has been blanked but was hesitating a little bit when accelerating so cleaned the MAP sensor too. Seems better now, but only tested for a few miles so time will tell.

Just glowplugs left, but will see how long I can get away with leaving them. Should have tested them while the engine cover was off but I forgot! She starts fine so maybe only 1 has gone.

Rear brakes being done in a fortnight at the garage.

Hopefully then will be all ready for the winter!!

 

[BikeDoc]

. . . Just glowplugs left, but will see how long I can get away with leaving them. Should have tested them while the engine cover was off but I forgot! She starts fine so maybe only 1 has gone . . .

You could remove them all and it'd still start fine (as long as the holes were blanked of course), they're not necessary on the JTD engines.
Might help starting if you lived in Northern Canada or Siberia, but in the UK they're redundant.

 

[inspector monkfish]

Thanks, Bikedoc. Thats good to know!

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

Drained gearbox oil, replaced with fresh, tutela zc75 as suggested (great service from shop4parts too) !!

Where is the drain plug and fill plug on the gearbox, as looking mainly for the fill plug, but cannot locate it ?

 

[inspector monkfish]

Where is the drain plug and fill plug on the gearbox, as looking mainly for the fill plug, but cannot locate it ?

Some have 3 plugs, drain, level and fill. On mine there was only 2 plugs, a drain and a fill/level plug. The top (fill) plug was just a blank and part of the gearbox casting. The fill/level plug is just above and to the left of the reversing light switch. The drain plug is lower, facing the wheel, both were 12mm cap heads, but room was a bit restricted around the drain plug, and I made a squeezy bottle with a pipe outlet for refilling.

 

[BikeDoc]

Some have 3 plugs, drain, level and fill.

I couldn't get my Fill plug out, it had been 'rounded' previously, but it's no problem, as it's easy enough to fill through the level hole.
As IM pointed out, some gearboxes don't even have a separate fill plug anyway.

 

[gregorymay1984]

How much oil do i need?

 

[MultipleMultis]

Does anyone change the gearbox oil ? I never have and may have just been lucky on the several we have run for 14 years or more for 200k miles

 

[bugsymike]

If we are still talking about Multipla gear oil changes, my Autodata for the 1.9 JTD 2001-2007 states 75w/85 synthetic, GL4, 2 litres.
One advantage of changing the gear oil occasionally is early warning of issues, metal particles in the drain tray etc. before any strange noises reach the driver above the noise of their sound systems! On Landrovers sometimes the oil had emulsified when driver had been testing the "wading capabilities" of their pride and joy. A prompt gear oil change then could save a massive bill.