Gearbox Oil Change

[panadero]

can anyone please tell me the wrench size required to undo the drain plug on my 2004 2.0 hdi ?

On my model there is a drain plug but also a separate filler plug accessed via the engine compartment.
Never done this job before but I plan to refill the gearbox with the exact amount of oil which comes out the drain plug.

[stevewalsh]

I cant remember the wrench size, but dont just drain it and put the same amount back in, it might have been low to start with. A manual box has a level/filler plug on the side, easier to access with inner wheel arch removed but can be done without.

Steve

[panadero]

many thanks

[steve_earwig]

Service Boy says 16X150, I thought it was bigger, maybe 18mm, but it's years since I changed mine.

...also a separate filler plug accessed via the engine compartment.

Hopefully you mean the oversize breather, towards the front of the 'box (remove air filter to see it), rather than the deleted filler/level plug of the earlier 'box.

You will need 1.8 litres of finest 75w80 for a drain & refill.

[panadero]

Yes the separate filler plug is located on the nearside of the engine compartment and has been pointed out to me physically. So this job looks to be a lot easier
than used to be the case on earlier models when evidently there was much fiddling around (and gnashing of teeth?) underneath to get the oil level correct.

I have bought 2 litres of EP75W80 from my trusted supplier at £16 incl vat so this should be of the right quality.


Many thanks

[jasper5]

The gearbox drain plug on the 2.0 HDi is an 8mm square fitting.

There is no filler plug on the HDi, you fill the gearbox where Steve mentioned...through the breather hole under the air filter box.

[panadero]

Hi Jasper

Filler plug may not be the right term but there is a 10mm diameter black circular plastic cap covering what must be the "breather hole" mentioned. As has been said this is located directly under the air filter housing which I shall probably have to remove for access. Then maybe use a tube and a mini funnel to pour the oil in?

Many thanks

[dirtydirtydiesel]

That's the best way to do it

[panadero]

I managed to do the job OK - eventually - but getting the right size square socket/wrench for the drain plug was the problem.
Fortunately my neighbour has a bench mounted grinding machine and was able to square off something suitable. It turned out to
be slightly more than the 8mm square (maybe nearer 9mm?) mentioned on this website. Also getting the correct amount of oil (1. was a
bit fiddly. Preparation, as they say, is everything so anyone else (with an 04 model) doing the job should be OK provided of course they do not
have the same motto as me which is "why make a job easy when you make it bl****y difficult".

[jasper5]

I have the correct tool for the job and can confidently tell you that it is 8mm square!

[panadero]

Unfortunately I did not have the correct tool so we had to improvise. Maybe there is some slight variation in plug size with different years?
Anyway whatever - on the plus side I won't need another oil change for the remainder of my ownership. Anyone else considering a gear box oil change needs
to get the correct tool for the job as you say.

BTW what should the labour charge be for a cambelt and water pump replacement on a 2.0 HDI 110 and how long should the job take? 5/6 hours? I am thinking
of using a professional mechanic (oops sorry technician) who does jobs on the side so payment in cash and no VAT.


Cheers

[jasper5]

Unfortunately I did not have the correct tool so we had to improvise. Maybe there is some slight variation in plug size with different years?
Anyway whatever - on the plus side I won't need another oil change for the remainder of my ownership. Anyone else considering a gear box oil change needs
to get the correct tool for the job as you say.

BTW what should the labour charge be for a cambelt and water pump replacement on a 2.0 HDI 110 and how long should the job take? 5/6 hours? I am thinking
of using a professional mechanic (oops sorry technician) who does jobs on the side so payment in cash and no VAT.


Cheers

Well, glad you got the job done anyway

Regarding the labour charge for replacing the cam belt and water pump....this professional mechanic would be very upset if it took longer than 3 hours, but I've done more than 60 of those!
There are some professional mechanics who don't charge vat because they are not registered for vat as their turnover is below the threshold for vat registration.(like myself)