Phillip Meyer Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 ...and how on earth do I get to it? (For reference, I am giving it a bit of a service and wanted to check the gearbox oil and replace it if necessary) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 Also, my manual says gearbox oil ep75w90 GL5 but the little plate on the car says GL4. No idea what the difference is but should I trust the manual or the little plate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 I would follow the gearbox GL4 plate, as the high sulphur/phosphorous content in most GL5 fluids can risk corrosion damage to bronze synchro rings. Unless the gearbox oil has a specific GL5 requirement, GL4 is the safe choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 I would agree with James. GL5 is normally recommended for diffs not boxes. Which manual says GL5 and what box is it? I guess if it's a Sadev sequential without synchro you could use GL5 but Mazda appear to recommend GL4 for their boxes if it's one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagler Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 GL4 is better,https://www.rymax-lubricants.com/updates/the-differences-between-gl-4-and-gl-5/ GL-5 is suitable for hypoid gear service under severe service and shock loads and not for use in a gearbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 Hi,I assume it is the standard 'Caterham Seven Owner's Handbook', it came with the car (which was manufactured in 2015).Page 24 reads:Gearbox oil:Sigma/ Duratec 5 & 6 SPEED EP75w90 grade / GP5I was going to buy some at Halfords tomorrow but they only seem to have the above in GP5 so I will have a look somewhere else (I'm based on the SE corner of the M25 in Kent). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 The point being, as James said earlier, that GL5 shouldn't be used in a synchro box as the additives will attack the yellow metals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 Yes, I will definitely try and source GL4, thanks.Anyone confirm if this is the bolt I use to fill it back up? (Presumably with a long and thin hose).Also, my manual suggests the gearbox has a 1.9l capactiy. Does this sound correct? (I don't want to over/underfill) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagler Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 GL4 Definitely better than GL5 for selector forks an Synchromesh cones. That's Definite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Hi Phillip, the fill plug should be on the side of the box in the tunnel, although it may be different on the sequential. It could also be recessed and difficult to see, requiring a cut-off piece of hex key and a ring spanner to undo it. You only have about 25mm of space to work with between the side of the box and tunnel and it can be a chore to get the fill pipe into the hole. Some cars have a rubber grommet under the tunnel carpet to gain easier access to the fill plug from inside the car.Filling wise, you fill to the bottom of the hole until the oil just starts to drip out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagler Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Maybe better to fit a grommet in the tunnel for better access from inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 I think this is the bolt (circled red) but not sure, it's a 620s. The photo was taken from inside the engine bay, looking to the back of the car. (It's side on this time but thr image above is the right way) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted May 13, 2022 Author Share Posted May 13, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 AFAIK only the sequential fills from the top with a known quantity of oil - you have to drain first, then fill any oil cooler and pipes, then add the correct volume to the top filler.The Mazda 5-speed box has the filler on the side, should be the plug that has yellowish markings on it in this picture: https://caterhamparts.co.uk/gearboxes/6027-gearbox-5-speed-mazda-caterham-specification.htmlHere is a thread on filling the Mazda 5-speed: https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/filling-mazda-5-speed-gearbox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 Found it! Yes, there is a grommet right at the end of the passenger footwell leading to the filler plug. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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