Changing manual tranny fluid...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Changing manual tranny fluid...
Since I've got the car up in the air working on headers, figured i'd change both oils. Anyone have a proper way of changing the tranny oil? I'm at 53k miles, so I figure it's a good time to give it a once over.
And i've read that BMW oil over GM oil is good ... agree with that?
And i've read that BMW oil over GM oil is good ... agree with that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
I'm going to put the castrol stuff in there when I do mine. There are others who will chime in with better specifics then me, but the general consensus seems to be: bmw oil, large allen for 1/2 drive ratchet to remove plug (its on tight), new plug from dealer, some 3-4 ft of plastic hose with funnel to fill (route hose to engine compartment). BTW how is the other header coming along or are you still under the weather with the mono?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (C4DC)
I'm going to put the castrol stuff in there when I do mine. There are others who will chime in with better specifics then me, but the general consensus seems to be: bmw oil, large allen for 1/2 drive ratchet to remove plug (its on tight), new plug from dealer, some 3-4 ft of plastic hose with funnel to fill (route hose to engine compartment). BTW how is the other header coming along or are you still under the weather with the mono?
I'm doing a lot better.. actually i think i'm back to 100%!! I'm going monday for a liver/spleen test to see if i can get back to exercise and all that. I'm definitely getting farther on the headers. last night worked on it for about 4 hours. Got the driver's side all done except for one bolt .. just have to get that one, then drill out the rusted bolt stuck in the cat flange ... and then bolt up both sides and put the catback back on. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
2.2 quarts.
you need a 17mm allen. I used a bolt with a 17mm head. worked fine! and CHEAP!
Just use a big **** pipe wrench on it!
you don't need a new plug... the old will will do fine. and there is no need for 100ft lbs of torque on the plug, either!!!!!
I used a hand pump to refill. worked fine.
The BWM oil is very nice, too! 10-60 Castrol TWS, about 8.00 a litre.
[Modified by bogus, 1:47 PM 10/17/2003]
you need a 17mm allen. I used a bolt with a 17mm head. worked fine! and CHEAP!
Just use a big **** pipe wrench on it!
you don't need a new plug... the old will will do fine. and there is no need for 100ft lbs of torque on the plug, either!!!!!
I used a hand pump to refill. worked fine.
The BWM oil is very nice, too! 10-60 Castrol TWS, about 8.00 a litre.
[Modified by bogus, 1:47 PM 10/17/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
I used the GM oil and it made a difference in the feel of the tranny. I also used the plastic hose from the engine compartment (with a funnel) to fill it. The 17mm allen on a 1/2" breaker bar is a must. Now that I have the tools for this job, I'll do it more often.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
The Helm Service Manual for our 94 LT1 has the drain plug (and fill plug) torque to be 36 lb. ft. and makes no mention of needing to replace the plug.
Per the ZFDOC web-site (http://www.zfdoc.com/faq.htm) the Castrol TWS 10W60 is the recommended alternative. Also noted was recommending changing the oil every 10K - 12K miles. I've seen elsewhere where the Castrol was liked better than the GM.
Another choice we're considering, which was noted in the ZR1 forum, is Red Line's MTL Synthetic Manual Transmission Lubricant (found it at Car Parts) (http://www.redlineoil.com/products.htm -- I really like their write-up).
We're changing our's this week, and running the tube through the engine compartment sounds like a good approach, so we'll be using it.
Per the ZFDOC web-site (http://www.zfdoc.com/faq.htm) the Castrol TWS 10W60 is the recommended alternative. Also noted was recommending changing the oil every 10K - 12K miles. I've seen elsewhere where the Castrol was liked better than the GM.
Another choice we're considering, which was noted in the ZR1 forum, is Red Line's MTL Synthetic Manual Transmission Lubricant (found it at Car Parts) (http://www.redlineoil.com/products.htm -- I really like their write-up).
We're changing our's this week, and running the tube through the engine compartment sounds like a good approach, so we'll be using it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (theadmiral94)
Ok, where can I find Castrol TWS 10W60 ?? No where around town carries it.
Also, where can I get a 1/2" drive 17mm allen socket? Sears doesn't carry it.
Also, where can I get a 1/2" drive 17mm allen socket? Sears doesn't carry it.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
Ok, where can I find Castrol TWS 10W60 ?? No where around town carries it.
Also, where can I get a 1/2" drive 17mm allen socket? Sears doesn't carry it.
Also, where can I get a 1/2" drive 17mm allen socket? Sears doesn't carry it.
Sears sells a 17mm allen head wrench.
Good Luck with the headers.
MP
[Modified by STL94LT1, 5:31 PM 10/18/2003]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (STL94LT1)
Thanks for the part number!! :cheers: And i don't know where i'm going to find a BMW dealer in Oklahoma, lol! I might have to wait until I get back to Dallas to find one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
Also, where can I get a 1/2" drive 17mm allen socket? Sears doesn't carry it.
As mentioned, the Castrol is only available from BMW dealers.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
Also, where can I get a 1/2" drive 17mm allen socket? Sears doesn't carry it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
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From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (theadmiral94)
As far as getting a new plug, I was just re-stating what some others have mentioned in other threads. I think some people may have messed up their plugs removing them under the car on jack stands and not having enough room to get correct leverage on the nut. I believe it was said that they wished they didn't have to put the original plug back in and didn't have access to one in the middle of the job. I was not speaking from my own direct experience, just what iv'e read...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
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From: Southern CA
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (C4DC)
I did mine, 17mm allen. hand pump 2 1/2 qt gm oil, reuse plugs, piece of cake. Takes longer to up the car than change the oil. :party:
Do the diff too.
Your Vette will love ya for it.
[Modified by froggy47, 11:25 PM 10/18/2003]
[Modified by froggy47, 11:26 PM 10/18/2003]
Do the diff too.
Your Vette will love ya for it.
[Modified by froggy47, 11:25 PM 10/18/2003]
[Modified by froggy47, 11:26 PM 10/18/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
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From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (96CollectorLT4)
The manual does NOT say use Mobile 1 5W-30 engine oil. The oil used is 5W-30 but it is not engine oil. The additives are completely different between engine and transmission oil, so they are not compatible.
You should use only transmission oil recommeded by ZF.
You should use only transmission oil recommeded by ZF.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (Mez)
The manual does NOT say use Mobile 1 5W-30 engine oil. The oil used is 5W-30 but it is not engine oil. The additives are completely different between engine and transmission oil, so they are not compatible.
You should use only transmission oil recommeded by ZF.
You should use only transmission oil recommeded by ZF.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
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From: Hinckley Ohio
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (GlockLT4)
How can 10w60 and 5w30 both be correct for the same service conditions????
Isn't the Castrol 10W60 actually motor oil????
I still think there is something fishy about this situation??? Why would I choose one or the other?? Plus what is in the ZF6 that would be hurt by motor oil additives, I should check to be sure, but isn't Mobil1 used in the C5 tranny??
I have no answers, but still have a lot of questions as to why these are the only 2 products that can be used & on what basis I would choose one or the other of these 2.
Isn't the Castrol 10W60 actually motor oil????
I still think there is something fishy about this situation??? Why would I choose one or the other?? Plus what is in the ZF6 that would be hurt by motor oil additives, I should check to be sure, but isn't Mobil1 used in the C5 tranny??
I have no answers, but still have a lot of questions as to why these are the only 2 products that can be used & on what basis I would choose one or the other of these 2.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
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From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Re: Changing manual tranny fluid... (LT4BUD)
The 10W60 is going to be a thicker oil. Some trannies prefer this over the thinner oil and it can help the syncros engage easier. I have a 5 speed in my Firebird that also likes the thicker gear oil. If I switch to a thinner weight I have problems shifting.
I doubt the ZF would be hurt by the additives in the motor oil but it will be hurt from the lack of additives to make a GL3 rated oil. Also, the C5s use a T56 which is a completely different animal compared to the ZF6. They may have designed it to use regular motor oil but ZF did not. The later T5s in the 3rd Gen F-bods used auto fluid as regular gear oil would degrade the internals (syncros I think). I would follow the manufacturer's reccomendations.
ZF also recomends auto tranny fluid that meets their spec. A while back I posted the spec # but cannot remember what it is. I doubt I will ever switch from the 10w60 tho.
Dale
I doubt the ZF would be hurt by the additives in the motor oil but it will be hurt from the lack of additives to make a GL3 rated oil. Also, the C5s use a T56 which is a completely different animal compared to the ZF6. They may have designed it to use regular motor oil but ZF did not. The later T5s in the 3rd Gen F-bods used auto fluid as regular gear oil would degrade the internals (syncros I think). I would follow the manufacturer's reccomendations.
ZF also recomends auto tranny fluid that meets their spec. A while back I posted the spec # but cannot remember what it is. I doubt I will ever switch from the 10w60 tho.
Dale