I am having a look at the handbook to see what I should get done as a service. I have had the car 6 months, and had the oil changed and break pads checked etc, but I just wondered what should be in a 'full service' ?

 

When should the gear oil be changed? and how is that done? is it different from the engine oil?

 

The car has just done 26k miles and is due for another oil change. What else do I need to make sure is done. It's had the cambelt changed. Fuel filter yet? I just don't know if I should trust what it says in the handbook.

I would say the handbook service intervals are ok for most things, You probably should use a better grade of engine oil than shown in the handbook, and change it a bit more often. In my n/a I started using Castrol Magnatec (semi-synth) but later changed to Mobil 1 (fully synth) 15-50, and I change it every 3500, even though it does not need to be changed that often, as its not a turbo. Mines an auto, but your manual gearbox requires a high quality gearbox oil (90 I think) probably change it every 50,000, or whatever the manual suggests.

Fuel filter every 60,000, but as your car is 13 years old I would change that too.

 

Good luck

 

John

I would say the handbook service intervals are ok for most things, You probably should use a better grade of engine oil than shown in the handbook, and change it a bit more often. In my n/a I started using Castrol Magnatec (semi-synth) but later changed to Mobil 1 (fully synth) 15-50, and I change it every 3500, even though it does not need to be changed that often, as its not a turbo.

Mines an auto,

but your manual gearbox requires a high quality gearbox oil (90 I think) probably change it every 50,000, or whatever the manual suggests.

Fuel filter every 60,000, but as your car is 13 years old I would change that too.

 

Good luck

 

 

John im thinking of changing my oil in the auto gearbox,when i put the new cooler on. Hows it done and what oil? Thats if you have done it buddy. :confused:

Jonce

Hi Jonce,

 

With all the stories about failed Jap auto gearboxes, changing the fluid often is recommended. I changed mine couple of months ago. I was assured that jap autoboxes did not have a drain plug (like a fool I did not check) so the first time I used a vacuum hand pump to suck the fluid out through the dipstick, which is a fair size opening, so it does not take to long. Changing the auto box fluid should be done twice, about a week apart, due to the fact that about 4 litres is left in the torque convertor when you suck out (or drain from the pan), I bought the auto box pan gasket from Mike @ MJP (traders forum) but when I went to take the pan off for the second fluid change a week later I saw my pan had a drain plug!! Well, I was not too unhappy, makes sense to drop the pan anyway and get all the crap out of the pan and filter.

I also used Halfords Nutlock on the pan bolts, it is not a permanent locking fluid, but just enough grab to prevent vibration from undoing the bolts.

 

I used the best autobox fluid I could find ( I cant remember the brand) and the highest Dexron number (4 I think) ...you should need about 4 litres,

 

If you have not already bought your cooler and kit already, try http://www.thinkauto.com/ a member on this forum used them and got the entire kit for about £80.

 

Good luck,

 

John

I change my engine and gearbox oil every 3000 miles, and my diff oil every 6000 miles,

 

overkill? yes probably :)

I change my engine and gearbox oil every 3000 miles, and my diff oil every 6000 miles,

 

overkill? yes probably :)

 

Overkill ? I would say so, diff especially is pain to change.

 

Gearbox and diff every 30,000 should be more than ok

 

 

John