After some advice please.
I had a Bristol Gearbox rebuild installed 5 years and 15k miles ago.
Should I do a filter and oil service on it ?
Works as it should but I've got it into my head about the box bedding in and the filter needing changing.
Am I worrying over nothing ??
Thanks,
Nick
Not going to do any harm even if it isn't necessary.
I am in a similar position. I got Ashcrofts to fit a new gearbox to mine a few years back and a filter change is now overdue. Although I do change the fluid regularly. Transmission fluid degrades if the gearbox is ever overheated; towing etc.
I remember speaking to Dave Ashcroft at the time and he said, if the filter has never been changed in the past, when it is finally changed, it causes the sludge to be stirred up and it often then causes problems with sticking valves. His view was it was more trouble than it was worth and just leave the filter and only change the fluid. Surprising comment, but that was what the main man said.
Sludge will build up as the clutch plates wear.
I think the best option is to change the fluid and filter regularly so the sludge never builds up. Every 2 years? I don't think a filter change is in the official L/R maintenance schedule from memory.
Maintenance schedule says to renew oil and filter every 24,000 miles although on some other cars the filter is replaced after the first 10,000 and then never touched again. I must admit, mine doesn't get changed that regularly.
We'll be towing the twin axle caravan around Scotland in August so I think as said it won't do any harm.
Hopefully over this short a period there shouldn't be any sludge build up and as I intend doing an engine service and oil's check before we go I can just add it in.
Any comments on adding "Lubeguard" to the ATF in the transfer box (111k miles) as its the only original unit on the car. Engine was replaced about 30K miles ago and running VR1 20W50 in it and both diffs have been replaced and will get a drain and refill with a decent EP90.
Changing the ATF in the transfer box is probably also a good idea while you are under there, but I wouldn't bother with any additives. I recently had my transfer box out to replace the chain (so gave it new bearings and seals while it was on the bench) but that was after over 400,000 miles, much of that towing heavy trailers. Changing the transfer box oil is another one that the maintenance schedule says to do every 24,000 miles. Recommended oil for the diffs is 75W-90 and I tried Millers fully synthetic and found they were noisier with that in them than with cheapo Comma 75W-90.
Gilbertd, many thanks for the advice, looks like I'm going to have a nice day lying under her in the near future.
At least I'll know that they've been done then for peace of mind.