Gearbox Oil Change

[myoldjalopy]

Just an idle query really......
Manual says change gearbox oil every 6,000 miles. I left mine go at least 12,000 miles and was very surprised to see how clean the oil was when I drained it.......any thoughts on how often it really needs to be changed?

[simmitc]

Modern oils are very different from those available when the manual was written. However, for a Minor you should still be using a fairly low-spec 20/50 multigrade that is similar to the old style ones, so I would still go with 6,000 - do it at the same time as you do the engine oil.

[myoldjalopy]

OK thanks...........

[ampwhu]

less moving parts in a gearbox. this will be why the oil retains its colour longer.

I change mine every 3 years along with the axle oil and coolant.

I do about 2500 miles a year.

[liammonty]

less moving parts in a gearbox. this will be why the oil retains its colour longer.

Engine oil discolours because of the by-products of combustion, such as carbon, getting into it past the rings. Gearbox oil doesn't have to deal with this, so doesn't discolour in th same way.

[moggiethouable]

Far less heat too.

[dalebrignall]

i do my gearbox every 2 years and use 20/50

[Trickydicky]

Used gearbox oil is also a good rust preventative as it has no acidic contaminants that are in used engine oil.

[amgrave]

Quite right tricky, mix a bit of paraffin with it and brush or squirt it on the underside if not already protected