I had the bonnet up today (unrelated to this, there'll be a thread about that in the 'wheels' etc section) and I noticed that this little cap was loose. Is that the fill hole for the gearbox?

There's a lot of oil around that area, although that is also a suspect area due to my leaking rocker gasket (which is now going on order!) and I'm unsure which could be causing it. My gearbox is crunchy at times, mostly into reverse but it's also sometimes really difficult to get into gear. In contrast sometimes it almost falls in. I've noticed a couple of times, while rolling towards red lights with the clutch in, a descending whine, which I suspect is the gearbox? I realise that this gearbox may be on it's last legs, and it may be too late to do anything, but I want to fill up the oil anyway, just in an attempt to keep it going for a while longer as I really can't afford to replace the gearbox.

Can anybody tell me how much gearbox oil I need to do a fill up? As I suspect that there is absolutely 0ml of oil in there at present.

Also is that clip to the left of the photo supposed to have exposed wires like that?

(Edited because I forgot to include the photo)

Edited 12 March, 201511 yr by mbusby993

Under NO circumstance put any oil down that plastic cap, you'll cover the clutch in oil !! the Fill/Level port will be on the front face of the gearbox it's a 17mm allen key to undo



DO NOT undo any of the other bolts on the front face or you'll be removing the gearbox and rebuilding it !!

The capacity is 3.4L but fill it till it dribbles out

That connector, when it left the factory there wouldn't of been any wires visable but with time, removing/refitting they have worked loose from the clamp, but it won't have any effect, you might be able to tywrap the wire covering to the connector

I was unsure, because I remembered it being mentioned that the fill hole was on the front face. The little cap won't clip back into place anymore, is that going to harm anything?

Is it possible to get to the fill hole with the gearbox in place? I can't picture it on that diagram so I'll have another look when I go out again later.

Thanks for the capacity, I'll order some oil along with the gasket. I'll have to get a 17mm Allen bit as well, as i don't have one.

It shouldn't harm anything with that plug open, but it would be better if you can close it, might need a tap to get it to seat :)

The fill/level is accessible without removing the box, lay on your right side with your head towards the passenger wheel, look up and you'll see the wires going to the reverse light switch and just above and outwards you will see the 17mm plug

I'll see if I can 'persuade' it to pop back in!

Thanks Nige, I'll find it and get it done! Even if it just prolongs the inevitable for a while!

to add to niges point, when filling get a funnel and a bit of hose pipe or whatever and fill it from the front of the engine bay

to add to niges point, when filling get a funnel and a bit of hose pipe or whatever and fill it from the front of the engine bay

Yep, that was exactly my plan!

Edit; Am i being thick? The only transmission oil I can find on ECP is for automatic transmissions. Can't find manual gearbox oil?

Double edit; Found this on Amazon. Will that do the trick?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comma-SX5L-SX75W-90-GL-5-Semi-Synthetic/dp/B003BPWNDI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426172395&sr=8-2&keywords=gearbox+oil

Edited 12 March, 201511 yr by mbusby993

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/SEAT_Ibiza_1.4_2001/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/car-tranmission-oils/manual-transmission-fluids/?522776112&0&cc5_868

But that Amazon will be OK

Well it's good to have a choice. I'll wait to see if they email back about the gasket set that comes with seals and if it's out of stock I'll order the Amazon one as it leaves me with a litre or so spare if necessary. If it's in stock I'll do it all as one ECP order!

Thanks for the help.

I've never had the plastic cap on mine :/

I know mines a mk3.. Assumed gearboxes are the same, my fill hole on the diff casing part, just above the driveshaft.

I've never had the plastic cap on mine :/

I know mines a mk3.. Assumed gearboxes are the same, my fill hole on the diff casing part, just above the driveshaft.

Early 6N's the fill/level is also on the diff case, but the later ones they fitted it on the front face as in the picture :)

A bucket full of info you are !

A bucket full of info you are !

Dunno what we'd all do without him!

I can see John Humphries on telly and Nige in the black chair.

"Welcome to Mastermind. Nigel, your chosen specialist subject is the Volkswagen Polo 1982-2015, your two minutes start now."

"On a Polo 1.4 TDI 9N by which route do the rear sensors connect to the ABS control unit also known as AntiLockBraking System and first introduced in 2002..."

beep beep beep

"I've started so i'll finish"

I've noticed that when I have my clutch pressed in you can hear a sort of hissing/scraping. I'm guessing that's not normal?

The problem can't have been lack of oil, as I only put about 800ml in before it was pouring out again. I probably lost maybe 100ml on the floor. So I think my gearbox must just be knackered.

This thread is now ten years old but I have a question.

The manual for my 1988 Polo states very clearly that there is no need to check the gearbox oil level and no need to top it up.

I interpret this as meaning the gear oil is meant to last for the life of the car.

However, even the most optimistic VW engineer would not have imagined that the car would live on for 37 years (and more hopefully!)

My car shows no signs of leaking any oil (engine or gearbox) - am I safe in assuming that the oil in my gearbox is still performing its intended function?

I doubt you have talked with an old VW engineer.

The gearbox is a closed system, unlike the engine which has a crankcase oil breather, and whose oil picks up combustion carbon from the piston rings. Gearbox temperatures are lower than engine temps too.

Though gearbox can leak oil at the selector shaft bushing, and then fifth gear will whine under load if run hard with low oil, but even that can be realigned to avoid the worn part of the teeth.

I suppose it could leak at the output shafts but I've never heard of that.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry for the delayed response.

There are no unusual noises from my gearbox, and gear changing is generally easy. It does not whine in fifth gear (“economy”).

Despite being 37 years old, it has only done 20,000 miles, and has been regularly serviced.

With no leaks evident, I can only assume that there is sufficient oil in the gearbox, and it is still acting as a lubricant!

If anyone has any different views on this subject, please let me know.

Regards

Charlie