Engine 850: B5204S/2.0/20v: Manual Gearbox Oiling

[SwedishInside]

Hi, is there any way I can check/top-up my gearbox oil?
I have a manual gearbox and it feels rather clunky through the gears as if there is absolutly no oil at all. Its not stiff (like a gearbox problem), its just not as smooth as I would like.

Would this stuff help: Mos2 Gear Oil


Thanks

[dooby]

Hi,

if it were me I'd shell out for genuine Volvo - I don't think it's a lot more per litre than that product, and you'd know it was the right lubricant for the box.

You could top it up yourself if you're DIY minded. Technically, finding the right level should mean removing the nearside driveshaft but I think you could make do with the upper filling plug. If you do, you should get a new crush washer from Volvo.

You can see that plug to the right of the driveshaft, above the droplink:



You could fill it through there also, using a funnel and some clear piping, or if you have the patience, you can fill it through here:



or the the reverse sensor switch hole:



Here's the before and after in case you were wondering!





HTH, Pete

[grass hopper]

why not just remove the top level plug,easy to get at,the drive shaft does not need removing,then top up until the oil spills out then wait until the oil stops flowing then fit the plug with a new washer.

its possible filling through them holes but if you don't know the correct quantity after you have drained then there is a problem, also with there be a sealing issue if topped up through these areas ?

which are not recommended by Volvo.

[thealchemyst]

DONT bother trying to fill or refill through the gearchange linkage as its not designed for it and will take forever the reverse switch is easy enough or you could just use the correct filling plug with some hose and a funnel.
if your faffing around with it you might aswell drain the old oil out and refill with fresh oil.

[SwedishInside]

Originally Posted by dooby

Hi,

if it were me I'd shell out for genuine Volvo - I don't think it's a lot more per litre than that product, and you'd know it was the right lubricant for the box.

You could top it up yourself if you're DIY minded. Technically, finding the right level should mean removing the nearside driveshaft but I think you could make do with the upper filling plug. If you do, you should get a new crush washer from Volvo.

You can see that plug to the right of the driveshaft, above the droplink:



You could fill it through there also, using a funnel and some clear piping, or if you have the patience, you can fill it through here:



or the the reverse sensor switch hole:



Here's the before and after in case you were wondering!





HTH, Pete

Thanks for this excellent writeup, your correct about using the genuine Volvo stuff

[grass hopper]

if the gear change is clunky then it could be dragging clutch.

[SwedishInside]

Originally Posted by grass hopper

if the gear change is clunky then it could be dragging clutch.

Naa, my clutch is 100% perfect. The not so smoothness is really when the car is cold but as the car has warmed up the (putting into gear) changes are smoother, but not a smooth as i would like.

I don't know, maybe this is normal and I am fussing for nothing.

[grass hopper]

there should be noticeable difference hot or cold with the gear change,when engaging 1st gear if its stiff to get in try with the engine switched of to see if it improves the selection,if it does there's slight clutch drag.

certainly worth checking/changing the gearbox oil though.

[SwedishInside]

Originally Posted by grass hopper

there should be noticeable difference hot or cold with the gear change,when engaging 1st gear if its stiff to get in try with the engine switched of to see if it improves the selection,if it does there's slight clutch drag.

certainly worth checking/changing the gearbox oil though.

Its never been stiff to get into any gear... It just feel like there is more metal to metal contact rather than metal to oil contact.
Thanks for your advise though.