Stock Problems/Issues Discussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

6-speed gearbox fluid

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  #1  
Old 04-30-2004 | 02:05 AM
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mastelios
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From: greece
hi!i have a light blue cooper s for 8000 kms and i decided to change then engine oil and the gearbox fluid.it has the 6-speed getrag but my problem is that i can't seem to find the type of gearbox fluid.i live in an island in greece and the dealer here has no clue.does anyone can help me?
 
  #2  
Old 04-30-2004 | 04:58 AM
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Minzila
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From: Orlando, Fl. USA
I was told by my dealer that it was "lifetime fluid". I don't know the type but I WILL be changing mine at reasonable intervals.
Motor On
MB

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  #3  
Old 05-01-2004 | 05:24 AM
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Texaco MT94 is the only approved oil for that gearbox. it is a lifetime fill oil (lifetime of the gearbox, get it......?) You really truly do not need to change it but if you insist any synthetic gear oil, the lighter the weight the better, will do. The European spec you want to ask for is, I believe MT-1.

 
  #4  
Old 05-02-2004 | 06:31 AM
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From: Wyckoff, NJ
I have replaced mine with Redline MTL Fluid. I've been very happy with the results.


 
  #5  
Old 05-02-2004 | 07:50 AM
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What results can one expect from changing tranny fluid
 
  #6  
Old 05-06-2004 | 06:01 PM
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pocketrocketowner
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>>What results can one expect from changing tranny fluid

A lighter wallet........
some busted knuckles........
a clean conscience.......
satisfaction of treating your baby better than intednded......
 
  #7  
Old 06-17-2004 | 11:03 AM
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Miniracer_03
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From: Barksdale AFB
does anyone have a few picts of the drain and fill plugs on the gearbox? Im plannig on changeing the oil here pretty soon and need to know these things. any other info would be greatly aprectiated.
 
  #8  
Old 06-17-2004 | 12:19 PM
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minihune
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From: Mililani, Hawaii
Transmission oil change-Not

While oil can be changed regularly or even before the normal service interval, the transmission fluid should not be changed unless there is reason to change like the installation of a Quaife LSD, light weight flywheel or racing clutch.

Also the fluid used should be MINI spec and not other brands even though one would think that redline should be OK. I spoke to eric at Helix13.com and he said that a mechanic for MINI that he worked with says that it is best to just stick with the MINI spec transmission fluid. I would think that if you didn't use the MINI spec fluid that using another fluid would void your transmission warranty as it might affect gaskets, etc.

Oil is a little different, I think as long as you use the factory spec weights and use a fully synthetic oil you don't need to use Castrol brand.
 
  #9  
Old 06-17-2004 | 01:39 PM
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Miniracer_03
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From: Barksdale AFB
so i hear good and bad but has anyone changed the tranny fluid and had negetive efftects?1 Or mabey it is better to not change it. duno but anyone have a few thousand miles on a other then stock tranny (6-speed) fluid care to shed some light?
 
  #10  
Old 06-17-2004 | 02:16 PM
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I changed mine at 4000 miles and used Mobil 1 90wt full synthetic. I now have 34000 miles with no problems. Personally, I think you can use any quality synthetic of the proper wt and it will be fine. Getrags are used on a lot of different cars and I can't imagine they used special seals for this particular model that would only hold up to BMW-specific fluid. I'll probably change mine again and use Redline MTL. But having said that, I truely don't think you NEED to change the fluid.
 
  #11  
Old 06-21-2004 | 03:02 AM
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Like I said....The fluid is definetely "fill for life". You don't have to ever change it, ever. so says MINI. If it floats your boat, do so. Be aware...the ONLY gearbox oil approved for the MINI is Texaco MTF 94. Period, full stop.
There are dozens of motor oils approved for the MINI.
 
  #12  
Old 06-21-2004 | 06:57 AM
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ninjamini
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Why????

Why would you want to create more service for yourself. If there was any, even the slightest reason, possible that you needed to change your tranny fluid then beleive me BMW/Mini would tell you to do it. Thet make $$$ on service, peroid. If they say that you dont need to do it then they are prob right.

Save the $$$ for the very expensive oil changes.
 
  #13  
Old 06-21-2004 | 07:05 AM
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resmini
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Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner
Like I said....The fluid is definetely "fill for life". You don't have to ever change it, ever. so says MINI. If it floats your boat, do so. Be aware...the ONLY gearbox oil approved for the MINI is Texaco MTF 94. Period, full stop.
There are dozens of motor oils approved for the MINI.
Am I right that Texaco MTF 94 is NOT synthetic?
 
  #14  
Old 06-28-2004 | 08:24 PM
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Two answers.......

to MINIRACER 03......I just noticed no one has answered you. If you look at the gear box (Cooper S) on the left side around where the axles jut out, you will see a series of nuts or bolt heads. Two of them are a different color (black) and have small hex head indents in them. the lower one is the drain plug and the high one is the fill plug. Same should hold true for the Cooper.

to RESMINI.......I hardly doubt MTF94 is NOT synthetic. fill for life means incredibly high oxidation stability. Only synthetics afford that kind of longevity. go to chevrontexaco.com, products, sear for a PDS...should tell you.
dollahs to donuts it is synthetic and more than likely manufactured in Painesville, Ohio, USA........
 
  #15  
Old 06-28-2004 | 08:30 PM
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sorsha6
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From: new york
Originally Posted by mastelios
hi!i have a light blue cooper s for 8000 kms and i decided to change then engine oil and the gearbox fluid.it has the 6-speed getrag but my problem is that i can't seem to find the type of gearbox fluid.i live in an island in greece and the dealer here has no clue.does anyone can help me?
hey what island? i have family on samos.
 
  #16  
Old 06-29-2004 | 05:00 AM
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LilRedMini
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No one has asked the question, "why do you not change gearbox oil as often as you do engine oil?"

There is a very good reason. The crankcase of an engine gets dirty from the byproducts of combustion. Moisture, acids and other contaminants, even in an engine in perfect condition build up and can eventually destroy the engine if not cleaned out. If there were no oil contamination, there is no telling how long the engine oil would last. Draining it is the only method we have to clean the engine internals.

Modern engine oils have very effective additives that clean all of these contaminants out of the engine when you drain the oil. BTW, if you drain the oil right after shutting down the engine, more of these contaminants are churned up in the oil and drain out with it.

A gearbox, on the other hand, has no combustion process going on (you hope.) Thus, the only "contamination" that can take place is from metal particles that occur from normal wear, or maybe someone grinding gears. Many gearboxes have a magnetic drain plug to contain these metal particles to prevent them from causing wear.

If you want to do something for your gearbox, make sure it has a magnetic drain plug. If it does, changing the gearbox oil every 50,000 miles or so for peace of mind would probably be way more than adequate.

Good luck.
 
  #17  
Old 06-29-2004 | 12:27 PM
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MSFITOY
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From: Greensboro, NC
What other kind of fluids are used in and around the gearbox? I ask this in relation to a post Lmarie posted regarding a honey like substance constantly collecting at the bottom of both her and my Mine in that area. I've checked my fill and drain plugs and both are tight.

Thanks
 
  #18  
Old 06-30-2004 | 08:15 PM
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The tranny has a split and the seal is metal to metal. when you have a metal to metal seal, OEM's like to use a sealing "goo" that is not like silicone (which dries out) but that stays "moist" for ages.......
 
  #19  
Old 07-02-2004 | 09:37 AM
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From: Greensboro, NC
You don't think it could be grease coming from from through a leaky CV boot do ?
 
  #20  
Old 07-09-2004 | 11:21 AM
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pocketrocketowner
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The thing to do is follow the path....dollahs to donuts it is the sealing compound..... also a leak leaks..... if ya know what I mean...
 
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