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[omegabob]

Hi Folks,I have a W reg 2.0ltr GLS omega,can anybody tell me what would be a reasonable charge for replacing the oil and filter in my automatic gearbox,not quite sure if its been done,the car has done 88,000 miles,is their any tell tale signs when it needs doing,any info much appreciated.Thanks

[Taxi_Driver]

Are you having probs with the g/b?

If not.....id leave alone...imo

[JamesV6CDX]

Are you having probs with the g/b?

If not.....id leave alone...imo

I'd change it personally = increase the life expectancy of the box... and at that mileage the Dex3 will be ready to be renewed...

It's an easy (but messy) job to do.

[Ken T]

That's good advise, it follows the old saying "if it 'aint broke, don't fix it!".   I confess I was thinking that I should get the gearbox oil changed at some point, but its going fine so far (84K miles) Is there any advantage in changing the oil and filter ?. Some people have said it improves the changes, but if there are no leaks, and its still working fine, then why bother?. What's the recommended oil change interval for gear boxes? :-?

[Dave-C]

Done mine tonight... £15 for gaskets, 5 litres of dexIII @ £3/ litre,  cleaned the filter with white spirit.. as suggested on here..... only drove about 7 miles home... dead smoothe changes... the initial take up is there in D....  worth the effort me thinks..
DC

[JamesV6CDX]

Ken,

I have to disagree mate, leaving gearbox oil in that's already done 80k is not good advice

VX state that the box is sealed for life (hence no drank plug)

HOWEVER, DEX3 gets worn and looses it's efficiency with prolonged use. Which is probably why high miler boxes are dropping thrust washers into the sumps!!

For maximum gearbox life, recommend changing every 60k max.

Plan to do mine every 40k with the cambelt kit.

A cheap and easy job that is swept under the rug, just because everything "seems ok"

You could apply the "if it aint broke don't fix it" to a cambelt change.. but soon regret it when you bend some valves. Same applies to gearboxes, only the efects are not quite so immediate...

[Ken T]

OK, OK, having just spent a lot of money at the dealers to get the car back on the road, I am lothe to spend more. But............ There is a small garage with a ramp just down the road, I 'll wait until he's not busy and ask him about doing it, for a very reasonable fee of course!.   So you don't hold with Vauxhall's recomended 80K miles between cam belt changes then?

[JamesV6CDX]

OK, OK, having just spent a lot of money at the dealers to get the car back on the road, I am lothe to spend more. But............ There is a small garage with a ramp just down the road, I 'll wait until he's not busy and ask him about doing it, for a very reasonable fee of course!.   So you don't hold with Vauxhall's recomended 80K miles between cam belt changes then?

Vauxhall reduced the cambelt interval from 80k to 40k after a lot of failed tensioners, that just can't last the 80k.

Anything over 40k on a cambelt kit on these engines (4 cyl and V6) - and you are on some very borrowed (valve bending!) time!!

[JamesV6CDX]

Have you a trolley jack and axle stands? If so, have a go at the gearbox oil yourself, it's a peice of cake

[Ken T]

Its OK, I am converted as to the cam belt.  Trouble is as we get older the thought of lying under a car with naff all clearance and struggling with seized bolts looses its attraction. I remember once when the Wife's A40 broke a half shaft. I managed to get a replacement, but it was chucking it down on the day I was replacing it, and the car was needed the next day. So there was I, lying under the back end of this motor with the rain running down my back and struggling with this dam diff. I sometimes find that motivation is a bit lacking !

[JamesV6CDX]

Its OK, I am converted as to the cam belt.  Trouble is as we get older the thought of lying under a car with naff all clearance and struggling with seized bolts looses its attraction. I remember once when the Wife's A40 broke a half shaft. I managed to get a replacement, but it was chucking it down on the day I was replacing it, and the car was needed the next day. So there was I, lying under the back end of this motor with the rain running down my back and struggling with this dam diff. I sometimes find that motivation is a bit lacking !

I know the feeling... I felt the same way humping my gearbox on in less than desirable conditions a few weeks ago..

Took it out of me for a bit (granted I did the job 4 times single handedly!!)  - and I'm only 23!!!

[Ken T]

Its a great shame I missed the lakes meet, cause it would have been great to put some faces to the names and crack a few beers, and spin a few stories. I look forward to meeting you and the others when circumstances permit.  

[JamesV6CDX]

Its a great shame I missed the lakes meet, cause it would have been great to put some faces to the names and crack a few beers, and spin a few stories. I look forward to meeting you and the others when circumstances permit.  

Absolutely

[cdx25]

Done mine tonight... £15 for gaskets, 5 litres of dexIII @ £3/ litre,  cleaned the filter with white spirit.. as suggested on here..... only drove about 7 miles home... dead smoothe changes... the initial take up is there in D....  worth the effort me thinks..
DC

Interested in your experience with this as my 'meega 2.5 sometimes engages 2nd on kickdown with a bit of a thump.  Going up thru the gears in normal or sport mode is otherwise supersmooth - its only on kickdown to 2nd and then not all the time.  92k and most likely original fluid - no evidence of any fluid changes in history.  Be interesting to see if a fluid refresh helps this...

Jon

[omegabob]

Thanks for info guys,I am also one of the "If it aint broke dont fix it"but I have read the articles you chaps put in and I agree with Vauxhall gearboxs and camshaft belt changes it is better to be safe than sorry.Unfortunately the reason I asked what would be a reasonable charge is,I cant afford Vauxhall main dealer prices and cant do it myself(just recovering from a slipped disc)and thought as the car had done 88,000 it might be due.Many thanks Guys.