changing gearbox oil

Hi all,
I have decided to change the oil in my gearbox as on mega long journeys it gets so hot and is a problem to get into gear, been told it may be old oil going thin when really hot!? My Haynes manual only covers this when the gearbox is out which is not an option for me so does anyone know how to drain and refill the oil while the gearbox is still in!?
its a 1.1 4 speed btw
any help would be brilliant
cheers

Not replaced the oil on these boxes before, but there is normally a drain plug under the box and a fill plug on the side of the box.

Easiest way to do this is on a ramp, because if you jack up the car it will not  be level, as most gearboxes are fill to spill (on the the side fill hole), you will end up with either too much or too little oil in.

I've used syringes to fill up gear boxes before, or a small 1 litre plastic bottle with a long spout will work also, with the minimum of mess!

cheers mate thats perfect,iv seen the side fill plug and presume there is one underneath.
gunna go and change the 1 litre of gearbox oil i brought,as i need 2.2 litres!
cheers again dude
si

i recently used redline mtl transmission oil. made a massive difference to gear selection although it is around £15 a litre i think

keep an eye out for the guides done by JSeaman top notch.

here you go http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=40211

I filled mine when the gearbox was out of the car. My gearbox was overhauled.

You need to make sure the gearbox is empty of oil. Take it for a drive and warm it up a bit. When jacking up the car make sure the drain plug is at the lowest point.

When drained, refit the plug, lower the car and fill the gearbox up by speedo cable connection, don't use the fill plug. You need to fill up with 2.25 litres, the level will be above the fill plug, this will ensure the the 5th gear section of the gearbox is lubricated. Slight overfilling will do no harm as the gearbox is vented. Plastic cap on top of gearbox

I was advised by a gearbox reconditioner to use part synthetic 10/40W engine oil. Apparently it does not breakdown over time as the standard lifetime transmission oil does. Important for low annual mileage cars. I have a 2 year and 20,000 mile warranty depending on this advice.

Attached is a link that should help you find the plugs and my post.
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=98769&highlight=

just done mine it was crunching in 2 gear when cold used halfords gearbox oil now works like a treat no more crunching

Be aware most of the instructions above are for the 020 gearbox as fitted to big block engined MK1s. The gearbox fitted to smaller engined cars is different. Can't remember where the drain and refill points are but the obvious looking bolt at the bottom of the casing isn't the drain…..

Also VW for MK1s spec'd EP80 or 80/90 hypoid oil. Most now put 75w/90 semi synthetic in. Not sure about putting engine oil in a gearbox designed for gear oils? But agree best to replace the oil every few years whether you do high miles or not.

Oops, early-1800 is right, my apologies, principal the same, but the oil quantity is different.

cheers everybody,massive help there
so

Iv got a 1990 1.8 carb clipper so is that a big block? I need to change me oil so are these instructions correct??? Drain at the bottom and refill 2.25 into speedo?

Whatever you do, make sure you can undo the filler plug before you drain the box! Yes, 1800 is big block.

Ttwo said

Iv got a 1990 1.8 carb clipper so is that a big block? I need to change me oil so are these instructions correct??? Drain at the bottom and refill 2.25 into speedo?

No not really,
Drain plug on the bottom of the gearbox and a filler plug on side near the green cap on the end.
You will struggle to get 2L in there about 1 1/2 L is all I can ever fit in so just buy 2 bottles of gearbox oil and fill up in the filler hole slowly with the car on level ground and stop when the oil starts to come out.

Ive switched to fully synthetic oil and found it's good at losing the 2nd gear crunch.
Use discount code to get it cheaper.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.8_1990/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/car-tranmission-oils/manual-transmission-fluids/?522776022&0&cc5_868