AndrewD Posted November 20, 2001 Share Posted November 20, 2001 I recently had some problems towards the end of a track day engaging gears in my SLR. A number of you kindly mentioned various mechanical possibilities. Since then, I left the car for 3 weeks so it was completely cold, and, I guess, all the gearbox oil has settled at the bottom of the box. Surprise, surprise, car slots into and out of all gears cleanly and no fuss. However, starting up and letting it warm for 5-10 minutes resulted in the same difficulties again. I noticed that it seems particularly difficult to push it out of gear and into neutral. Got me thinking, could it be wrong gearbox oil (i.e. too thick)? But then why is this only starting to happen now, I haven't had any problems before and I haven't changed the oil. Perhaps I should? Any further advice gratefully received! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee_fin Posted November 20, 2001 Share Posted November 20, 2001 I'd be careful about going too thin on the oil, esp. fully synthetic. Too thin and it won't mesh resulting in damage to your baulk rings. Give them a ring and see what they recommend, drain out your current oil and replace. Graeme. ________________________________________________________ graeme finlayson / tyre warmer / fluke motorsport graeme.finlayson@vicorp.com / www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk Carbon-fibre sale bonanza! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB7 Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 i think the build manual says you must use the Ford oil for 6 speed- I remember it was expensive from the Ford dealer S31VEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILL FLY Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 I've been using Mobil 1 SHC from day 1, the car has done 12000 miles with 6 trackdays and has been fine. It's available from Demon Theives (part no MOBILSHC) at 9.02 per litre, you'll need a couple of bottles as the gearbox takes just over a litre. See willfly.net for more info. If you don't spin you ain't trying smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 For best results do not use a fully synth oil. Road & Race recomend Shell Helix which is a mineral oil GL4 spec. Fully syth GL5 is great for preventing wear but too slippy for the syncro or baulk rings to grip the tapers on the hubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul22uk Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 ford oil part no : 5015547 and you need two litres of it !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewD Posted November 22, 2001 Author Share Posted November 22, 2001 Thanks! Does it sound like g'box oil is the problem? I could try changing it anyway though, is it easy to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee_fin Posted November 22, 2001 Share Posted November 22, 2001 It's a pain in the arius. Usual method is engine out, gearbox out, tip the gearbox up and drain out..... Depending where your filler hole is, or if you can get the cover plate off in the tunnel, you might be able to feed a syringe in there and slowly suck all the oil out but that's just as tedious! Graeme. ________________________________________________________ graeme finlayson / gear cruncher / fluke motorsport graeme.finlayson@vicorp.com / www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk Carbon-fibre sale bonanza! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Green Posted November 22, 2001 Share Posted November 22, 2001 6 speed boxes have a drain plug. Piece of cake, but you won't get *all* the oil out. As for getting the new oil in, various methods exist, including a piece of hose, or a length of bent copper central heating tube. Re-filled mine the other day in half an hour. BTW, EP80 Shell Helix doesn't seem to be available now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted November 22, 2001 Share Posted November 22, 2001 You should come to Wales more often Nick ....... several bottles in my local garage gathering dust . Minus 3 bottles in the morning mind wink.gif Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted November 23, 2001 Share Posted November 23, 2001 Do not use synthetic oil in your 6spds. A GL4 spec. non multigrade oil (80w I think) is what you want (as Rob stated). The latest Ford stuff as recommended by Caterham (I believe) is the wrong stuff. Ford changed the oil a bit ago and I think that one's a GL5. Shell Helix isn't readily available either. I think mine's Castrol or Comma. Andrew - give Phil Stewart a call and talk through the problems with him. He can advise and is a nice bloke to talk to. His number's on here somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted November 23, 2001 Share Posted November 23, 2001 Millers do a EP80 GL4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain chaos Posted November 23, 2001 Share Posted November 23, 2001 The last time I changed the oil I had little choice but to visit Halfords and put in Castrol EP80. Seemed fine in use and PhilS had no negatives about wear during recent re-build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILL FLY Posted November 23, 2001 Share Posted November 23, 2001 Castrol EP80 is available from here at 3.79 per 500ml. See willfly.net for more info. If you don't spin you ain't trying smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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