1st time Fluid change...

[Ozzy_UK]

having never done a lot of jobs on cars, and only knowing theory, my poor excel is my learning toy...

i need to do an oil change, brake fluid change, and transmittion fluid change....

what i would like is the best way to do an oil change...

best way to do a transmition fluid change, and how?

and the best way to blead the brakes and replace fluid?

also which fluids do you guys use for:
oil?
trans?
and brake?

bare in mind this is purely a sunday and track day car...
many thanks.

[Steve C]

what i would like is the best way to do an oil change...

best way to do a transmition fluid change, and how?

and the best way to blead the brakes and replace fluid?

also which fluids do you guys use for:
oil?
trans?
and brake?

bare in mind this is purely a sunday and track day car...
many thanks.

Oil change .. get a new filter (Lotus or decent brand), about 6 litres of oil (My pref Mobil 1 motorsport, 15w50, Castrol RS 10w60, Silkolene Pro R 15w50 or Pro S 10w50), New sump plug washer. The Silkolene is raved about on TVR forums by top quality engine builders .. it has a high ester content which is good (apparently!).

Disconnect battery (starter motor close to oil filter), drain sump, remove filter, fill new filter to get oil pressure quicker on start and smear oil on the seal, refit hand tight (but as tight as you can with hands). REFIT sump plug with new washer (yeh, I forgot this once many years ago). Fill with oil to high level on dipstick, start engine, check for leaks - stop engine, see if oil filter will tighten more by hand, check oil level (will probably need small topup).

Gearbox, open filler plug, open drain plug, refit drain plug with new washer, fill with oil, refit plug. I use Shell Spirax X 75/90 because I got it in 5 litre cans at a good price a few years ago ... I'll probably use a synthetic 75/90 gear oil, Silkolene, Castrol etc next time.

Diff .. same as gearbox except a 80 or 90 gear oil... (can't remember!). No idea what brand ... my Dad used to work on Cat & Komatsu excavators so it came from a 100 gallon drum

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/ are a good source for Silkolene oils, join pistonheads first (www.pistonheads.com), then apply on Opie Oils for an affiliated membership number, type this in and you get discounted prices shown.

Brake fluid? Just a decent brand, don't buy too much because it absorbs water over time ...

[Ozzy_UK]

fantastic
thank you!

this is hopefully my job for the weekend comming (as well as moving house!)

thank you!

anyone got any recomendations of trans fluid / brake fluid?

cheers!

[Ozzy_UK]

also forgot to ask how i change the fuel filter?

sorry to be a pain but you guys are much better than any manual!
thanks for all the help!!!

[Steve C]

also forgot to ask how i change the fuel filter?

Carefully

Disconnect the battery again ... you don't want any sparks in there because you will inevitably get some fuel in the boot.

I'd start with a nearly empty fuel tank if possible, so that the fuel level is below the filter / pump.

I find it easier to change the filter element with the filter housing out of the car .. so I remove the pipes from the filter housing (put a catch rag underneath), then get at the mounting bolts for the housing which are hiding under mud in the drivers side rear wheel arch (10mm) .. The housing then comes out nicely. It is dismantled by a single bolt, and then should fall to bits. The filter kit may have a spare large seal that's too big for anything - don't panic, just ignore it!

Keep a careful eye on the O-ring locations on the shaft and under the bowl... and check for leaks when it is finished... note that the filter element is different top to bottom, make a note as the old one is removed.

If youy get any spillage, let it all evaporate for a while before creating a spark by reconnecting the battery!

In theory the flowlock valve (if fitted under the tank) should stop the fuel escaping with a full tank, but it didn't work for me when I tried changing the filter with a full tank, so I always run the car until nearly empty before changing the fuel filter.

[Ozzy_UK]

glad i asked now as i only have about 4 litres of fuel left in the tank
many thanks!