How do i change the gearbox oil?

[GTI NZ]

Hi,

I have an 85' MKII GTI that has a rather graunchy shift from 3rd to 2nd when the engine is cold. I have bought some castrol EPX 80W/90 gearbox oil, and was wondering how do i go abouts changing the oil in the gearbox, and how much oil do i need

thanks

[Gambit]

take out the 17mm hex nut on the underside of the gearbox to drain out the gearbox oil, then refill it thru the speedo cable hole, u need to put in just under 2 litres of gearbox oil

[golfvr6]

Or just as easy to refill the oil through the filler plug on the side of the gearbox, it is behind the front left wheel. It is much better to do it that way as when the oil starts to dribble out through the plug you know it has the correct amount. Try using an old washing machine hose, it works a treat.

[GTI NZ]

great, thanks for the help  

[richandhazel]

Should do it golfvr6's way as its a fill and level plug..........you don't want to overfill it. If you do it Gambit's way, make sure you take out that fill plug so you don't overfill.............

[GTI NZ]

the 17mm hex nut, this is located on the side of the gearbox? i can see it when i take the left wheel off, but i'm unsure of where the filler/level cap is, i can see this cap on top of the g/box that has a shaft and a spring at the top of it. is this where i fill it?

also there is a bolt on the bottom of the g/box can i undo this one to drain the oil, as i don't have a tool to remove the hexnut

cheers

[Dean]

The hex nut on the soide will be the filler/level plug.

Regards.

Dean.

[Gambit]

cause his is an early GTI he needs to fill it to the level plug, put the plug in then add some more gearbox oil as

later 020 boxes the level plug was moved 7mm higher up

Haynes details it well, something to do with the early boxes needing to be at a 7degree inclination when fillin

hence why its easier just to put in just under 2 litres