Gearbox Oil (S1, Citroen)

[markjonesx]

Could someone recommend a suitable oil?

How much fo I need?

Edited April 29, 2011 by markjonesx

[77 esprit]

Mark,

A few years ago, this subject was brought up on another Forum I frequent. Harry Martens of DS-Vitesse fame posted the following. Hope the information is helpfull.

Lyn

[GavinT]

Another user of Red Line MT-90. I change the gearbox oil like I change the engine oil, every year.

[s2mikey]

Red Line MT-90 is a no brainer. As for the 3-litres though.... I believe thats too much. The factory service manual for my '87 HCi says to fill until the fluid starts seeping out of the side level-check hole. Then, you replace the fill level plug, maybe pour just a splash more in to make up for what seeped out and you are done. Ive checked and my car wouldnt take 3 litres - more like a little over 2 litres which is about what came out. And yes, I always drain it while its hot and completely drain it.

[77 esprit]

Service manual calls for 2.25 liters. Know I used to have a chart with all the recommended fill levels and the suggested brands. Can't find it! More old age creeping in!

Lyn

[dodgy]

agree, 2.25 ltrs

[dsvitesse1]

Hi Scott,

yes, just put the 3 liter in. There is no pressure inside the gearbox and the level will only raise maybe 1 cm . Not much, but better for 5th gear synchro wich is on the primairy shaft at the end of the gearbox.

The level there is low and 5th gear pinion on secundairy shaft has to work up the oil.

[GavinT]

Pour the new oil in slowly. Pour too fast and it will just overflow out the fill hole. You'll get all 3 liters in if you just do it slowly.

[richardvg]

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=59535

I think that this is most informative and should not open up too many cans.....giving us all a better understanding of the gear oils.

[richardvg]

I have also asked a Citroen specialist here.........in actual fact he has worked on a number of SM's in the past.He also says take it up so that it throws over the fifth gear nicely.

The only worry is the seals that work between the bellhousing and box (the housing covering the primary shaft) are not exactly "water tight"

I digress ,Castrol have an oil called Syntrans Multivehicle 75w90 GL4 .In actual fact when you smell it you dont even get that gearbox smell coming through .It will also assist with cold /tight boxes.

So here is an oil (gearbox) that should by all intense purposes ,suit the gearboxes and should be freely available at any store ...that is those that sell Castrol.

Richard

[MrDangerUS]

Could the Redline MT-90 be used safely with worm gear (non-clutch) based LSD-s, like Torsen or Quaife?

[richardvg]

Be careful with LSD "s as yes you will require specific oils for them ...check with the manufacturers.

[eddie111S]

I've finally bought the MT90. Three 946ml bottles worth. The bottles look like some product body builders might drink. I don't think i'll try that though. I had some contact with Harry, a while back. Lost the links but found them here. Great this forum. Job for the weekend. Car should be ready for the Le Mans Classic.

[lotusesprits2]

Afternoon all,

It's wet and windy so a perfect time to change my gearbox oil outside.......

I'm going for 3litres of Redline MT 90 as recommended by the experts but I have a very, very stupid question (despite there being no such thing I'm told).

Where is the 'filler' plug?

The position of the drain and level plug are obvious to me, and before I read about the 'filler plug' I was simply going to use the level plug to fill it (which I'm sure would suffice except for the 3 litre recommendation).

Anyone willing to post a photo/diagram of the filler plug location to help be become less stupid?

Thanks in advance and who knows maybe the sun will shine long enough for me to do it this weekend!

Thanks,

will.

[peteyg]

Hi Will,

The filler is on top of the gearbox, accessed through the boot. There should be a large rubber grommet on the boot floor just to the left of centre. Pop it out and you'll see the hex screw head of the filler plug. Can't remember the socket size off the top of my head.

Pete

[lotusesprits2]

....should've gone to Specsavers........

Thanks Pete, how on earth I missed the filler plug given my grommet has long since departed!

Many thanks - once again the forum has proved absolutely invaluable.

I've got more done on the car in the short time I've been using the forum than in 20+ years of ownership.

Time to stop talking and start doing....

Thanks again Pete.

Will.

[Paul Coleman]

SJ Sportscars sell the big grommets for about £8. I need one myself!

Paul.

[lotusesprits2]

Thanks Paul,

I'm in Devon in August on holiday and my wife just won't believe me when I tell her that SJ Sportscars will make a great day out! I'll call in (alone?) and get a grommet and possibly spend more pocket money on some bits and bobs. It's her loss........

Any tips on draining the gearbox i.e. jacking up/down, flushing, warming etc.

Thanks,

Will.

[gvy]

Hi,

 

Today, 17000km after my S2.2 citroen Gearbox was revised by Harry Martens, I drained the Redline MT-90 oil and I got 3 liters of Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90  API GL-4+. in.

I didn t notice any worse or better shifting. All is well.The gearbox shifts well.

If I feel changes, I will report it here.

 

When draining the oil, there were some small particles sticked to the magnet of the draining bolt though.

The old redline oil looks dark ( not clear at all). Some carpeople, I know, found it strange that I refresh the gearboxoil. They never do it to there cars.

 

 

Geert

[910Esprit]

These boxes are prone to rust contamination where the input shaft is splined into the promary shaft, it then travels down the pipe from the 'oil seal' scroll back into the box - That is probabably why the oil is dark and also why I would change the oil reasonably regularly.     

 

I'm sure MT90 is a very good oil, however, I did not like the feel of it in an older high mileage box.  I preferred a semi synthetic multigrade.     

[DaveyT]

Geert,

 

was there a specific reason you went for castrol vs redline? Did you drain first, notice the discolouring and decide based on that?

 

Thx, Dave

[gvy]

Hi Dave,

 

No reason.

It was in my maintenance schedule to change the gearbox oil.

 

It is just harder to find de redline MT90 here in Belgium. I could order it on line but prices are high here.

So I looked for the lotus adviced Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90 and that was better priced (46.79€/3 litres incl sending) and easier to get over here.

The redline MT90 was double that price.

 

I was happy with the redline and I would advice it to others. I had smooth shifting with it, but the castrol is doing the job just as well. No problems, so I think both oils are suited for the citroen gearbox.

 

 

Geert