Gearbox Oil Change Vito 108CDI

[DaveR]

Can anybody tell me where the gearbox fill and drain plugs are (manual), how to check the level and what oil to use? It's not that obvious by looking at it.

Thanks
Dave

 

[mark999]

I would get the oil changed at your van dealer it is easy to do but you cannot get hold of the right gear oil easily. I had my V-Class gearbox oil changed for a synthetic castrol 75w-90 and it totally ruined the gearchange

 

[DaveR]

Thanks for that Mark. Does anybody know the correct oil spec? Presumably the main dealers would sell it but it's sure to be made by somebody else.

Dave

 

[Coulsdon Eagle]

i've done mine twice, each time i've used Castrol EP90, never had any problems with it, gearbox is still as smooth as it's always been

 

[DaveR]

Thanks for that Coulsdon Eagle. I'll give it a go with EP 90. I still need to know where the plugs are though.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Coulsdon Eagle]

there's 2 hex-key plugs on the engine side of the gearbox, remove them both, top one is the filler plug, bottom one is the drain plug, drain oil out, once empty, replace the bottom plug, now use the top one to fill the gearbox, clearance isn't brilliant, so you'll be better off getting a longer length of tubing and filling it from inside the engine compartment, fill it slowly after the first 2 bottles, i didn't quite use 3 bottles of oil in my gearbox, if i remember right, once the oil starts to run out of the plug hole, it's full, wipe away any excess oil, job done.

tip: it might help to immerse the bottles of oil into hot water before filling, it makes it run quicker as it's not so thick,

 

[mark999]

Tried EP90 with the V-Class, could hardly get any gear afterwards. A castrol 75w-90 was similar. The oil the Merc van dealer used was a specialist castrol oil that was not available retail. I suggest draining in to a clean container just in case you need to put the old oil back.

 

[DaveR]

Thanks Coulsdon Eagle and Mark - sorry didn't respond sooner but forgot I'd posted the question!

Bit confusing that EP90 works fine in one box but not another. I might find out what Merc dealers charge for the oil. I'm surprised an oil could make it that difficult to select gears though.

Dave

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Bit confusing that EP90 works fine in one box but not another. I might find out what Merc dealers charge for the oil. I'm surprised an oil could make it that difficult to select gears though.

Dave

I think this may be related to the grade of EP90 used. If a higher grade is used (GL-4 or GL-5) it may contain friction modyfiers that can interfere with the syncromesh action and while this is fine in a differential it will cause poor shifting in a gearbox. A lower grade of EP90 to GL-3 is probably better for your box but I would definitely recommend tracking down the correct oil for you box.

If you know the gearbox code it may be on the gearoils data sheets I have posted in this thread - http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=17851

happy hunting.

 

[DaveR]

Ah, that would explain it. Thanks Sprint n go. Now all I need to know is where to find my gearbox code!!

Dave