Noisy first gear

[Amateb8]

The whining sound that comes normally when in first gear has started to sound like something is grinding (not the right description). The usual whine is still there, but it is accompanied by something else. It is hard to describe. One thing I haven't really checked in my 13 years or so of ownership is the transmission oil. Do you think it is running quite low? Or there this is a bad omen that it needs some serious attention.

 

[Gadge]

It could well need some oil in. The extra noise could well be the bearings rumbling

[126blackbird]

You may have left checking your gearbox oil a bit to late, anyway make sure you use the correct oil.

[Amateb8]

Many thanks. I'll have it checked. What transmission oil should I use?

[126blackbird]

Do not use an EP rated oil, I use Tutela ZC90 which is the correct oil

[Gadge]

80-90 non EP gear oil or 20w50 engine oil. You'll need 1.1 litres. Here's a guide on how to do it

http://club126uk.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11164.0

[Rusty's Uncle]

Gadge I saw your original post on"how to do it" and I have to take issue with the idea of using 20w50 in the gearbox. Not sure where you got that from 

[Amateb8]

This one?

http://www.ricambio.co.uk/69-fiat/72-classic-fiat-126-parts/151-gearbox--parts/453-gearbox-oil-tutela-zc90-1ltr-80w-90-

[Gadge]

Gadge I saw your original post on"how to do it" and I have to take issue with the idea of using 20w50 in the gearbox. Not sure where you got that from 

From this very forum rusty it’s been mentioned many times from many users with reported success. I myself have used it without any trouble plus it’s the recommended grade in the Haynes manual (for the air cooled of course but I can’t imagine that the design changed overnight for the BIS )

[126blackbird]

Yes Amateb8 that's the oil, I don't think I would use a 20w50 engine oil, engine oils are for engines.

[Gadge]

You'll be fine with 20w50 after all the original mini shared it in its gearbox and its engine for 40 years!

[Rusty's Uncle]

From this very forum rusty it’s been mentioned many times from many users with reported success. I myself have used it without any trouble plus it’s the recommended grade in the Haynes manual (for the air cooled of course but I can’t imagine that the design changed overnight for the BIS )
[/quote]

OK Gadge if it has been mentioned here before about using 20w50 I must have missed it but all of the manuals I have here including Haynes either say Tutelar ZC90 if that are Fiat factory workshop manuals & handbooks or Hypoy 90 with independent publications like Haynes etc. Not a sniff of 20w50 
But wait  hang on in there. There is a recent post on the Fiat Forum on gearbox oil and a guy says he always uses 20w50 because it has similar characteristics. I have been involved in and seen many discussions on gearbox oil and in my mind the jury is still out on this one. My gearbox is full of oil recommended by Smallcox some years ago and as he puts 100hp through his box it seemed good enough for my humble motor. I tried to find what I posted on the forum about it but failed. From memory it was similar to some motorcycle gearbox oils that you could buy in Halfords. Expensive but you do not need a lot of it. Also after rebuilding many 500 and 126 gearboxes I can tell you that the Bis design did change overnight! Different bell housing and different diff ratio  Apart from that the internals are the same.

[Gadge]

I'm certain my Haynes says 20w50  I belive it recommended castrol! But of course I could be wrong  in fact if I hadn't read it in the Haynes I would've been very sceptical about here say in a forum about using it but because others said they used it I took it as gospal so never questioned it.

All I can say is that I've used it and I can't feel any difference. I use Comma mineral and can buy 5 litres for £10. Obviously I can't vouch for the long term effects but so far it seems that those who have used it seem right so far.

And I stand corrected on the bell house 

[Gadge]

Ok I’ve had a ganders at my Haynes manual and it seems I was wrong! It’s not 20w50 it recommends- it’s 15w40!



It also recommends Duckhams hypergrade as opposed to castrol for its choice of oil (probably a back hander from duckhams). So now I’m really confused! 15w40 seems a tad thin but like I said earlier minis share it in both engine and gearbox so maybe not as daft as people would think and probably where the idea of using 20w50 comes from. I started using it again (I was previously using a proper gear oil) because I wasn’t happy with the smoothness of the gear change - it felt sticky. I think I read the same thing as you did rusty about someone saying that the 20w50 was basically the same thinckness  as ZC90 (!) and what with the Haynes recommendation too I decided to go with it.

[Amateb8]

Thank you everyone.

The car drives fine at the moment despite the noisy first gear. I stay as short as possible on first gear. I've booked the car for a full service in July and I've asked the garage to check the transmission. I am also replacing the rear shocks (it comes with the bottom bushings and the rubber rings on top). At the moment driving the car over road undulations, the rear wheel feels and sounds like it is bouncing off the road, rather than absorbing road imperfections.

Hopefully, all the above will be done and ready for Brands Hatch!