MerlinGTI 3 Posted August 4, 2007 Hi I have a 1988 205 1.6 GTI. It has lift up reverse at the top left (above 1st). What model box is this? (BE1, BE3 etc...) How do I change the oil? there are a number of drain/inspection plugs on the box and I wanna make sure im doing it right! Haynes is less then helpful, showing a picture of a completely different non GTI 205. As much help as you can would be good and Pictures would be great! Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stonesie 0 Posted August 4, 2007 (edited) There will be a Drain plug at the bottom of the diff housing, and to re-fill theres another plug about half way up the box. I cant remember weather this is behind the driveshaft above the drain plug or on the end of the gearbox, fill it untill it runs back out of the filler hole and make sure theyre both tight I think the oil grade is 75/90 but haynes will have that in there somwhere. Matt Edited August 4, 2007 by Stonesie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim21070 2 Posted August 5, 2007 You've a BE1 'box. To drain, undo the drain plug on the lower end of the diff housing. To refill, remove the 19mm plug half-way up the rear side of the gearbox end cover. You can't miss it. Then fill in here until the oil just starts to dribble out of the hole and refit the plug. The gearbox capacity is around 1.7L and use only the pukka oil, either Total BV 75W/80 or Comma 75W/80 expressly intended for Cit/Pug gearboxes. 90 grade oil is too heavy and it will lead to very stiff gearchanges in winter and potential synchromesh cone damage. These gearboxes have very soft alloy clutches on the synchro hubs and won't take too much abuse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MerlinGTI 3 Posted August 5, 2007 Thanks very much chaps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stonesie 0 Posted August 6, 2007 He's right, the recomended grade is 75/80 It serves me right for takeing the word of a parts shop counter monkey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ahl 4 Posted August 7, 2007 From experience, you want the right stuff, 75/80. The other readily available oils don't work properly. It can be hard to get hold of, but Pug/Citroen garages usually have it, and its not expensive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted August 7, 2007 i found it easy to get hold of, last time I got a 5 litre can of the stuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted August 7, 2007 From experience, you want the right stuff, 75/80. The other readily available oils don't work properly.It can be hard to get hold of, but Pug/Citroen garages usually have it, and its not expensive. GSF used to stock the proper Total gear oil which was all I had ever used in Pugs and Citroens, but they have recently stopped, all they had when I went in recently was 'Gear Syn' oil which I bought as I was desperate for some. I don't remember the price but it was a lot less than the Total stuff and came in a 5 litre bottle. The kid that sold it to me insisted he had it in his 306 with a BE box and had no problems and it turns out he was right. I've done about a thousand miles now and the gearchange is perfect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim21070 2 Posted August 8, 2007 GSF used to stock the proper Total gear oil which was all I had ever used in Pugs and Citroens, but they have recently stopped, all they had when I went in recently was 'Gear Syn' oil which I bought as I was desperate for some. I don't remember the price but it was a lot less than the Total stuff and came in a 5 litre bottle. The kid that sold it to me insisted he had it in his 306 with a BE box and had no problems and it turns out he was right. I've done about a thousand miles now and the gearchange is perfect. Which one did you get? GSF now do two Fuchs Titan gear oils and I was a bit dubious of them. One is an 80W/80, the other is a synthetic 75W/90. the 4L price is very good though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted August 8, 2007 Its the 75W/90. It might cause trouble when the weather gets colder but at the moment its absolutely fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars Posted August 8, 2007 I find filling from the side is an arse of a job, even with a bendy funnel. I always fill it from the top whee the lift up cable goes into the box, So much easier. If you can just use a jug to measure the quantity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLPoomobile 958 Posted August 8, 2007 No need to measure it, just undo the side filler plug but pour in from the top as you suggested. Once it starts to come out of the side you have enough in there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
saveloy 8 Posted August 8, 2007 Best to use a synthetic too. I use Morris fully synthetic. It is the correct grade 75/80 and costs about £7 a litre. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
