Gearbox Oil Questions _ Drain /Fill plug

Having fun and games with the car up in the air doing some work on the car and I decided maybe to change the Gearbox oil...

Think Renault recommend every 12,000 KM?
Think I have probably drove at least that and more.. So I figured it does need doing or is this type oil good for more miles?

Also the damn Drain and Fill plugs are weird square plugs- have tried different things on them (sockets/ other tools ) but can't seem to find anything that will fit? Anyone know of something that fits these or is a special toool needed? I wouldn't have thought so?

I also didn't seem to have anything that would fit the Engine Oil drain plug but ground down a 1/4" extension to fit it and it did the job well. Can't seem to find or think of anything that will do the gearbox ones? heeelp

Thanks again

Yes just seen I think they are 10mm Male Square-- Don't know why they can't just put a normal bolt type plug in...

Presume there is somekind of socket that one can buy for this plug?

Also the damn Drain and Fill plugs are weird square plugs-

You can get a special 10mm square socket, to fit a 3/8 ratchet bar, but if you have a 10mm 12 point socket, it can be used but I would suggest that due to the plug being fairly soft, use the socket back to front, ie:- the square socket on to the plug and the 3/8 ratchet inserted into the 12 point socket, I have used it quite sucessfully, before I got the special socket.

Why not just use a 10" or 12" shifting spanner. I have used one of these for the last 25 years of Renault ownership. The plug is actually a bit special as it has a tapered thread and so cannot be correctly replaced with a normal bolt.

The service book quotes gearbox oil changes every 12000 Miles or
20 000 Klm, although I am sure many go much further than this without damage. Also it quotes the use of 75W80 for ambient temps from -10 to 20 degrees, and SAE 80 for 20+ degrees. Don't be tempted to use 80W90 as synchro life is shortened dramatically in Renault boxes when this is used.

yes thanks for all the useful info. I managed to get the correct 10mm spanner from my local motor factors, a bit difficult to find but got there in the end- !!

unbelivable to think I was maybe messing around with every spanner and idea I could think of for about 2 hours!

Well, good idea this FORUM and club for sure, very useful...

Yes seems your reply was late (or when I checked) ... (Sods, or GODS law!) as we maybe have all experienced on many occasions!

Well, I put about SAE 80 2.1 Litres and then SAE 80w90 about 1 litre, approx, it was stuff that was lying around.....

Don't really want to change it again as it was a real problem gravity feeding it... big problem in fact and had to make a weird pipe connection out of differnet tubes... aah, underneath the car was almost impossible would have took hours.... (non gravity)...

Do you think the mix I have made is ok....? Well, anticipating your answer I guess you are going to say it is 66% ok!! Am I right? Anyway, whatever I have done it is probably better than 20,000 miles oil that was in it?

thanking you again for your help/ knowledge..... as always appreciated....

you need to buy yourself one of these!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VERY-LARGE-ENEMA- ... dZViewItem

Yes seems your reply was late (or when I checked) ... (Sods, or GODS law!) as we maybe have all experienced on many occasions!

Well, I put about SAE 80 2.1 Litres and then SAE 80w90 about 1 litre, approx, it was stuff that was lying around.....

Don't really want to change it again as it was a real problem gravity feeding it... big problem in fact and had to make a weird pipe connection out of differnet tubes... aah, underneath the car was almost impossible would have took hours.... (non gravity)...

Do you think the mix I have made is ok....? Well, anticipating your answer I guess you are going to say it is 66% ok!! Am I right? Anyway, whatever I have done it is probably better than 20,000 miles oil that was in it?

thanking you again for your help/ knowledge..... as always appreciated....

Yea cheers Simon!!!
Very Happy think I probably do need one!!! (or maybe the car, or BOTH!!)

Rightnow, smothered in oil but the car is going very well despite the probs...!

What's your views on oil leaks etc? yea, it just had its 23rd MOT and done amazingly well.... only problem was brake failure (fronts/ easy) and advisory oil leaks... Rocker Box covers.... not so bad, took it all to bits, respayed cleaned and gasket sealed it all, hopefully now good.... car looking good, I am not ...!!!!

cheers bud.... what you got, a Turbo?

pm sent.