The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi all,

I've done a search and found a few mentions of gearbox oil - but has anyone got any recommendations for what is the best oil brand and grade for the W58 gearbox? Preferrably one that is for sale in the UK.

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers, Mat.

I use Valvoline Dura Blend SAE 75W-90 GL-5. Usually buy it from lotusbits but my local car spares shop can get it. Usually have to order it.

Tanz wrote:I use Valvoline Dura Blend SAE 75W-90 GL-5. Usually buy it from lotusbits but my local car spares shop can get it. Usually have to order it.

I use the same as Tanz

thread drift... anyone know if there is a gearbox oil cooler available for the W58?

Oz

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies - I'll track down the valvoline oil.

Ozzy, I'd suggest think automotive in Isleworth - they have loads of oil coolers.

Cheers, Mat.

Ozzy_UK wrote:thread drift... anyone know if there is a gearbox oil cooler available for the W58?

Oz

Have you tried the supra forums, or any of the Japanese car petrol head forums? i am sure they will when doing stuff to twin turbo supras etc

Hi all,

You know what the next question is going to be - how do you fill up the gearbox oil?

At the moment the interior is out so is a funnel and tube through the gap round the gearlever going to work?

If anyone has got any suggestions on how to do this well, I'd appreciate it.

Also I'm guessing the car has to be on level ground to get the right oil level? It's on currently on ramps at the the front while I'm connecting up the PAS, alternator and aircon etc.

Cheers, Mat.

I feed a length of hose attached to a funnel through the engine bay. It takes a while to go down though (10 mins to fill the whole box) as the hose is the same diameter as the hole so no easy path for the air to get out. A slightly thinner pipe would be better.

Ted

mat grant wrote:
You know what the next question is going to be - how do you fill up the gearbox oil?

Changed mine at the weekend, used one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Syphon-pump-15- ... 281&sr=8-3

Had the car level on axel stands, syphon pump has two tubes, put one in the gearbox, one in the bottle of fresh oil. Takes less than a minute to pump in a litre bottle.

Although I managed to pump in 3 litres when the service notes say 2.5.

Thanks Harro,

I have ordered one, will try that method.

btw did the extra 0.5 litres just drain out of the hole as described in the manual?

Cheers, Mat.

Pumped in 3, 1 litre bottles, there was probably a bit left in each bottle. Waited until oil stopped dripping from the filler before I screwed the plug back in.

But I would say it was more 2.5L.