Servicing

[andyf]

I've decided to change gearbox oil, and manual states there is filler pug on lh transmission tunnel. Lifted carpet this morning to find lovely sound deadening unerlay glued to tunnel. Will I find inspection plug if I remove all this good work or is gearbox filler accessible from under car?
Also rear diff! Nice position of filler plug, between diff carrier, exhaust etc so not easy to get any purchase on nut.
Any ideas please?!!

[mgcjag]

Hi Andy....yes a large round rubber grommet covers the hole....if you press around you should feel it..as in photo below speaker...then just cut a circle in the underfelt..you may find that your car does not have the access hole and some gearboxes have the fill plug on the other side...if hou have a lift you can get to it from underneath easy......diff...yes its awkward...also getting a tool to fit is not easy its square and tapered....you could change it....search forum for diff plug.....what oil are you useing in the gearbox.....there is conflicting info in the manuals

[Gfhug]

Andy, be aware that later S2s have the gearbox filler on the RHS, but there is no cut out in the transmission tunnel on the RHS. Use a flexible pipe on the end of a hand pump to pump oil into it from underneath.

Geoff

[andyf]

Tthanks for that. I am not sure if my car qualifies as "later" series 2, it is October 1969. I was going to use Red Line MTL in diff following reports on this forum. Any suggestions for gearbox? Same?

[Gfhug]

My RHS fill gearbox number is KE7969 and the car was built in August 69 (though registered Jan 70).
For the diff plug I used a 14mm 8 point socket

Geoff

[mgcjag]

Hi Andy.....there is a lot mentioned in the forum on useing MTL....just be aware that there is two types mentioned.. I think the confusion comes with the 2 gearboxes..moss and syncro...both use different oils...As you mention the manufacturer is Redline...but different spec oils, even synthetic
MTL a thinner 75/80w
MT-90 thicker 75/90w
The 4.2 gearbox uses EP 90 as does the diff (non power lock)
Check out the specs yourself........not useing Redline myself.Was going to on tne next service....so hopefully someone can clear this up....not sure on the additive side for diff....if redline has it(just looked up, they do an addative)

[Mark Gordon]

Andy, Redline products are excellent and I highly recommend them. However, MTL is for the differential. Use MT90 in the synchro gearbox. I'm assuming that your car is a 69. If not, plug you car's info into Redline's application guide and you can see what they recommend.

https://www.redlineoil.com/application.aspx

[mgcjag]

Hi Mark....on the Redline spec documents it says that MTL is not designed for use in rear wheel drive diffs

[Mark Gordon]

Thanks, Steve. I stand corrected.

[andyf]

Geoff. interesting that you gearbox is such a high number. According to my Heritage certificate, my gearbox is 2423 even though the cars were built within a couple of months of each other. I think I will use EP90 in the gearbox, (when I determine which side of gearbox filler plug is!) Going to get car on ramp at local garage in a couple of weeks to get oils changed and grease all points under car. My days of crawling under cars on ramps and axle stands with limited room are over! There are a lot of threads on this forum relating to diff plugs, oil etc. Bit of a minefield!

[mgcjag]

Hi Andy...just for interest....my 69 2+2 has a build date of 8th Aug.....gearbox no kjs 2360 so not many befor yours...different models had different prefix....

[andyf]

Steve, is your gearbox a left or right filler and does it have a transmission tunnel access hole? I am getting confused, although that's not difficult!

[mgcjag]

Hi Andy....i posted a photo you can see the rubber plug a few posts above......to be honest cant remember if the gearbox filler is under as it was last filled a couple of years ago and i have a ramp so would have done it from underneath...and i cant pull the plug as iv just fitted new carpets......ps sent you a mail message

[mgcjag]

Just been looking at the spec for MT-90 MTL, MT-85 & MT-90 are not for use in differentials with hypoid gears
https://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46&pcid=7

[andyf]

Thank-you all for your suggestions and help. I have now carried out a small service and can confirm the following:

Gearbox filler on RHS, no cutout on tunnel, but cutout on LHS! so filled from beneath car. EP90 oil used for both gearbox and diff.

Grease nipples - Many of the grease nipples mentioned in original manual have gone due to parts being replaced over the years with "sealed for life" items so it was just a matter to find those that remained - in my case probably about 8 or 9 out of about 12.
Hopefully thats sorted for another year.

[chrisfell]

Beware of sealed for life items, especially if they are UJs along the prop shaft and half shafts. Sealed for life means a shorter life. Many have grub screws where grease nipples could go. Replace them with grease nipples and extend the life of the UJs.