Gearbox oil for Spider - any advice?

Hi guys. Spider manual says to use Elf TRX 70W80 but that's now discontinued. There's Elf 75W80 NFP (which apparently a replacement for the TRX) and NFJ, which may be OK too - and is a little more economical. Which should I use, or is there a preferred alternative from a different company. I've no idea if and when the gearbox oil has been changed in the past, as I've only owned the car since last summer and the receipts that I got with the car show servicing and an engine rebuild, but no evidence of gearbox oil change.Oh, yes, and finally - how do I drain and refill it? Is there a gadget to help with this? Thanks, Ian.

[stephendell]

You have a JC5 gearbox in your spider.

Elf NFJ is suitable for manual JCx series gearboxes so should be fine.

Hi Ian - this is on my list of things to do before the Summer so please write up and post photos here as there is little written about the poor Spider.

Just need to track down and stop and annoying oil leak first. Sump gasket purchased (BGA) so when a little warmer in the garage will start my investigation. Also bought myself some replacement LED rear lights for Xmas but will update my other thread when those finally get fitted.

Hi Ian - this is on my list of things to do before the Summer so please write up and post photos here as there is little written about the poor Spider.....

Will do. Just need advice re how to get the oil changed, and if there's a gadget to do that - must admit that I've not really had a look at the gearbox yet, as it's too flipping cold!

I always used a syringe with pipe on the race version. (I have one if you want to borrow it) Access was probably a bit better on that one than the road car and the oil was filled from different place.. Must admit to have never changed gear oil on a road version.

I always used a syringe with pipe on the race version. (I have one if you want to borrow it) Access was probably a bit better on that one than the road car and the oil was filled from different place.. Must admit to have never changed gear oil on a road version.

Mark, I'm not 100% sure that it needs changing, but as I've no record of the oil having been changed before, and one of the members at last Novembers' meet said that old gearbox oil might be why the gear changes become progressively more difficult the warmer the engine gets and the further the car drives, it seems like it might be a good idea and it's only gonna cost about £50 to do.

Once I've had a look at the location of the filler and drain plugs, I'll let you know about your syringe - although I might be able to sort out one myself.