This is why you change gearbox oil

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Zed Free
Joined: Mon 12 Nov, 2012 20:23
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i

This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Zed Free »

Having recently changed my gearbox oil I thought that any doubters out there might like to see what the oil looks like after 70,000 miles and 14 years. Oh and the diff oil was not much better.


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Southernboy
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Southernboy »

What would be interesting is the same jar of oil left to allow any suspended material to settle for a couple of weeks, and the oil drained off so one can see just how much debris is left as a sediment on the bottom... :wink:
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Mike Fishwick
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Mike Fishwick »

One of the largest problems with old oil is the growth of bacteria, which eat the oil and produce hydrochloric acid. A modicum of water makes the problem worse, the associated corrosion having been the cause of problems in ships bilges and storage tanks, and can only be prevented by regular oil changes and general cleanliness.
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Del »

Looks the same colour as the stuff that came out of both my gearbox and diff - dark with a green tinge :o
littlefeller
Joined: Sun 28 Apr, 2013 18:06
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by littlefeller »

looks the same colour as my engine oil before I change it :lol: :lol:
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
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  Z3 roadster 2.8
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Davejue1 »

Changed gear and diff a couple of months ago after 92000 miles and 17 years. Noticeable difference to the running of the car. I would highly recommend it to anyone. It's cheap and easy to do.
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1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

I have a 2ltr Z3 roadster (year 2000)...I have been looking around on here for what type of oil for the gearbox and the diff...and can I get it in Halfords?
Del
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Del »

Halfords range is not really good enough - particularly for the GL4 fully synthetic manual gearbox oil for the Z3

http://oilselector.castrol.com/c/uk/eng/search
1963paul
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

Del wrote:Halfords range is not really good enough - particularly for the GL4 fully synthetic manual gearbox oil for the Z3

http://oilselector.castrol.com/c/uk/eng/search

OK Thanks for that.
1963paul
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

Hello again...still trying to find the correct grade of oil for the diff....is my diff a "limited slip differential" type :?: ...its a 2 Ltr roadster, year 2000
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Zed Free
Joined: Mon 12 Nov, 2012 20:23
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Zed Free »

If you go to a site such as http://www.bmwvin.com/ and enter your VIN you will get all the details on your particular car and whether it has an LSD.
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1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

Zed Free wrote:If you go to a site such as http://www.bmwvin.com/ and enter your VIN you will get all the details on your particular car and whether it has an LSD.

Thanks for that, really helpful, cheers.
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by TitanTim »

Looks fine to me, mines probably exactly the same or worse :)

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Davejue1
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Davejue1 »

I used castrol syntrans for the gearbox and castrol syntax for the diff. I'd recommend both.
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northwestred
Joined: Fri 21 May, 2010 16:06
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by northwestred »

I used Opie Oils after reading some reviews regarding BMW oils for g/box and diff. You can search your car and see the selection of oils available
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/
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1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

1963paul wrote:
Zed Free wrote:If you go to a site such as http://www.bmwvin.com/ and enter your VIN you will get all the details on your particular car and whether it has an LSD.

Thanks for that, really helpful, cheers.

Still non the wiser....on the VIN Decoder site, just says: Transmision- HECK, and Gearbox-MECH, no mention of what type of Diff is fitted, unless "HECK" means something? :?
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by BladeRunner919 »

HECK is short for Heckantrieb, which is rear-wheel-drive.
1963paul
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

BladeRunner919 wrote:HECK is short for Heckantrieb, which is rear-wheel-drive.

Thanks...think I'm going to have to lift the rear wheels, and spin one, and see if other wheel spins the other direction, just to be sure.
Suppose using LSD type oil in the diff wont make a lot of difference if it happens to be a non-LSD....or will there be a problem? :dunce:
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BladeRunner919
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by BladeRunner919 »

1963paul wrote:
Thanks...think I'm going to have to lift the rear wheels, and spin one, and see if other wheel spins the other direction, just to be sure.
Suppose using LSD type oil in the diff wont make a lot of difference if it happens to be a non-LSD....or will there be a problem? :dunce:
Even if you do have an LSD, there is no way you can spin it fast enough by hand to make it lock up. Unless the diff is seized locked, of course!
1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
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  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

[/quote] Suppose using LSD type oil in the diff wont make a lot of difference if it happens to be a non-LSD....or will there be a problem? :dunce:[/quote]


So would using LSD type oil cause any longterm problems if it wasnt a LSD?
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Zed Free
Joined: Mon 12 Nov, 2012 20:23
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Zed Free »

If you have an lsd it will say something like "S209A Sperrdifferential 25% Differential lock 25%" So it would seem that you have a normal diff, maybe others with a known non lsd diff will confirm what theirs says on bmwvin.

LSD oils have what they call friction modifiers and are generally more expensive.
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1963paul
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

Well I have ordered Castrol Syntrax Limited Slip 75w140...still not sure if it matters if it happens to be a non LSD fitted. :roll:
Mike Fishwick
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Mike Fishwick »

If your car has a Torsen LSD the old test of turning a wheel does not tell you anything - get a printout of your car's spcification frm any dealer - it's free in return for the last seven digits of the VIN code, such as LE 71381.
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1963paul
Joined: Sat 19 Jul, 2014 13:19
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

Mike Fishwick wrote:If your car has a Torsen LSD the old test of turning a wheel does not tell you anything - get a printout of your car's spcification frm any dealer - it's free in return for the last seven digits of the VIN code, such as LE 71381.

If you mean the Vehicle Information from BMW Vin Decoder (BMWVIN.COM) , I have that from earlier on in this discussion, it doesnt tell me anything about what type of diff is fitted, just "TRANSMISSION- HECK..(rear wheel drive)....and GEARBOX-MECH.
Unless you are talking about a different type of printout from a dealer?
The bottom line is would it matter if I used this oil on ANY diff that was fitted??
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Zed Free
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by Zed Free »

The HECK and MECH are on the print out for lsd difs as well. You need to look in the section below it which list the extras such as air bags etc. Which is where mine says Differential lock 25%.

Some people say there is no issue with using LSD oil in non LSD diff others will site issues they have had. Maybe phone Castrol help line they are usually quite good.
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1963paul
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Re: This is why you change gearbox oil

Post by 1963paul »

Zed Free wrote:The HECK and MECH are on the print out for lsd difs as well. You need to look in the section below it which list the extras such as air bags etc. Which is where mine says Differential lock 25%.

Some people say there is no issue with using LSD oil in non LSD diff others will site issues they have had. Maybe phone Castrol help line they are usually quite good.

Thanks...no mention in "Order Options" on the VIN printout about what is fitted..I think I will just use the oil I have ordered and be done with it.
Thanks to all for info.
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