The Lotus Grand Tourers

My gearbox has no oil in it, I believe it has been drained, however how is it refilled when its in the car? I can see not way of accessing the filler plug and the service notes seem very vague ion the subject

Zaphod wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 26, 2022 21:14

My gearbox has no oil in it, I believe it has been drained, however how is it refilled when its in the car? I can see not way of accessing the filler plug and the service notes seem very vague ion the subject

The filler plug is a 17mm bolt just in front of the switch above the exhaust on the lh side. Use a syringe, or drill a hole in the bottlecap for a close fitting transparent pvc hose which goes to the bottom to pump the oil in. Some way of GENTLY pressurizing the bottle with compressd air is luxury

It is also possible to fil the box through the gearlever hole (as when you just have put the engine back in) but then you're messing with smelly oil in the interior of the car.

I used to use one of these old-school oil cans, but my thumb got very sore:



Then I bought something like this - much better.

You can see the filler plug on the LH side of the gearbox quite clearly in this picture (the electrical cable, which is for the reversing light switch, is resting on it):

Yes I had the filler plug out and put my finger in to see if it had oil,,, it didn’t but as I needed to get the engine back in and I had no oil at the time I didn’t fill it. However I have yet to put the gearstick back on and have all the interior out of the car so I think I will remove the full plug and place a drip tray under the car and fill the gearbox..rill it leaks from the fill hole (I assume that would be correct?)

Does this help

I've been checking my Excel handbook for the correct spec gearbox and diff oil. The hanbook states the gearbox takes 75W/90 GL5 oil and the diff requires "SAE 90 GL5".

Am I right in thinking this means the same spec oil is suitable for box and diff?

KevW wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 08, 2022 20:20

I've been checking my Excel handbook for the correct spec gearbox and diff oil. The hanbook states the gearbox takes 75W/90 GL5 oil and the diff requires "SAE 90 GL5".

Am I right in thinking this means the same spec oil is suitable for box and diff?

these are different oils, multi-grade 75W/90 has a different viscosity than straight 90. Don't know about additives

Thanks for the advice

On filling the gearbox, I use an electric pump which I first bought to do engine oil changes on the Smart Roadster (no sump plug as std!).

Really useful bit of kit for the garage. Wouldn't be without one now.

ebay link below

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314095773763 ... SwKZZi64BT

Peter - do you run something through it afterwards to clean it?

Pete

Pete Boole wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 11, 2022 17:45

Peter - do you run something through it afterwards to clean it?

Pete

Hello Pete


No, I never have. But probably should.

So far, used it for oil changes on the Smart. Transaxle refill on the Clan and gearbox on Lotus.
Plus removing 60 litres of Diesel and water from my Camper van's fresh water tank after my son mistook the water tank filler neck for the fuel filler the first time I lent him the van!

Managed to separate the diesel from the water (natural separation), then pumped the diesel into cans for reuse in the van and his diesel Merc, with no issues, lucky for him.
Cleaned the water tank with industrial detergent (food grade). Again, using the 12 volt pump. Really useful bit of kit in my garage at least!

i bought a pump bottle off amazon with a hooked end that slots into the filler hole. works a treat for £17.
Draper 23242 Multi-Purpose Engine Oil/Transmission/Brake Fluid