Gearbox Oil

[Ppinno]

Hi I'm new here, I've just changed my other halves reverse light switch on thee gearbox yesterday. Had the car jacked up but while doing it but still I lost a bit of gearbox oil. But got the switch in fine, tested it and worked fine. However when taking it out of reverse the light stayed on. So re adjusted the switch again and tested again and all was fine. Now when she was leaving to go out this morning she couldn't select reverse to start of with it after a bit of trying she got it in and carried on with her journey. On the way home it happened again, seems to only work every now and again and now the reverse light has stopped working again.could this be down to low gearbox oil? And where do you fill up?? Should mention, it's 1996 LX 1.25. Manual! Gearbox was fine before the new switch! Thanks for your help!!

[stef123]

hello and welcome to the forum.

Have you any idea at a guess how much oil you lost?

[Ppinno]

Thanks for the reponse, I wouldn't say a lot but maybe half a coke can, maybe less? Hard to say really, I did have a tray underneath to catch any I loose but British weather decided to take it for a trip in the wind! We've just noticed that the brake and clutch fluid is quite low so we're going to go get some in a bit, any dot4 will do I guess?

[stef123]

Thanks for the reponse, I wouldn't say a lot but maybe half a coke can, maybe less? Hard to say really, I did have a tray underneath to catch any I loose but British weather decided to take it for a trip in the wind! We've just noticed that the brake and clutch fluid is quite low so we're going to go get some in a bit, any dot4 will do I guess?

so maybe 150ml give or take? i wouldnt have thought that amount would make a great deal of difference unless the level has been low already.

with brake fluid, i never top mine up even when the level appears to have dropped - when the brakes wear the fluid level will drop and when the pads are replaced and the pistons pushed back the fluid can over flow. you should always be above the minimum though

but yes dot 4.

[Ppinno]

I'd say about that yea. Well I checked all the fluids about a week or 2 ago and everything was all fine. Brake pads seem good. The level is actually quite far below minimum, but I can't find any leaks anywhere? Ill top it up and see what happens

[stef123]

If it is a definitely a hydraulic clutch have a look at the rear of the clutch pedal for any signs of wetness.

[Ppinno]

Ill have a check in the morning for wetness! Just topped up with brake and clutch fluid, actually wasn't as low as I thought. But was bit below min so just topped it to just above min to allow for the rise when pads are changed. Though doing this has made no difference to selecting gear, I think I'll just go buy some gear oil tommoro from halfrauds, and try to top it up. Any idea of where you fill it up on this model? And any recommendation on what oil to use? Would rather keep it cheap as possible though!