X7 6-spd manual gearbox oil capacity

[Paul-R]

Was able to start changing the front suspension struts on my X7 today and, despite my best efforts, I managed to pull the LH driveshaft out of the gearbox and lost some oil. Now I know that the procedure for the correct gearbox oil level is to measure the amount that comes out and put that amount back in.

That's obviously not possible so I have two alternatives. Drain the rest of the oil out, measure it and top up to the required amount before reinserting it into the 'box. Or, if the amount isn't very much more, drain and simply replace with new oil. It's done about 75,000 miles and, from what I can tell looking at the oil on the ground, it was in reasonable condition.

Is this one of boxes where the amount depends on whether the gearbox has cooling fins? I presume that it'll be 75/80 GL4 oil.

VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

Here you go:

Quantity of oil to fill after draining

Engines:	DW
Gearbox casing with fins	1.9 l
Gearbox casing without fins	2.6 l

Type of oil: ESSO 75W80 EZL 848 or TOTAL 75W80 H6965

[Armidillo]

Doesn't your gearbox have the fill plug located on the side (usually facing the firewall)? Just fill until the the oil overflows! Admittedly I've only got 5-speed boxes...

If it is on the side, get a large cheap funnel from the motor factors that comes with a plastic tube. Suspect you'll need access from underneath to remove the fill plug and guide the tube into the fill hole, so you've got the problem of raising the car so it's high enough for you get underneath and work but still level, and supported so it can't crush you if the suspension should drop unexpectedly. Oh for a hoist!

[Paul-R]

Unfortunately later gearboxes did away with the filler/level plug and the procedure for refilling is as I described, measured quantities.

[Paul-R]

Is there a drawing or picture of the filler plug?

[KennyW]

Paul,

If you look at my thread viewtopic.php?t=76132

I'm sure there is a diagram. Direct access is block by the sub frame.

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

Is there a drawing or picture of the filler plug?

Filled using a gravity filler cylinder like this which may require the air filter housing to be removed first.

[Paul-R]

Thanks Marc. It was for the benefit of Armidillo that I asked.

[GiveMeABreak]

No problem, a completely different gearbox to the 5-speed unit.

Incidentally, the torque setting for the train plug is 3 daNm

[KennyW]

Warning; Don't over tighten the plug as the result will be same as my thread above.

Kenny

[MattBLancs]

If it's anything like my 6 speed 2.2 then definitely need air filter housing out the way. Think pretty busy down there all the same.

I used a funnel pushed into a length of garden hose, not dislike the official tool. A way of hanging it up as they've got it would be a good upgrade (note: funnel full of oil much heavier than when empty and makes heck of a mess if you forget this!)

[darbuck]

I filled mine very slowly with a funnel let gravity do the rest