Successfully changed to Swepco transmission oil - another project off the list

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

I did the dreaded transmission oil change this morning, and after having read all the problems that some people have had I was preparing for a fight. But as it turned out, it all went smoothly (and partially thanks to the po having replaced both the fill and drain plugs with normal socket type plugs - as on the engine oil drain plug). I investigated the oil that came out and the drain plug, and apart from the expected there was no big lumps of metal. The only pain in the complete process was pumping the new Swepco (man that is one blue oil

) into the transmission - took me close to 1 hour, no need to go to the gym today

I did do the job with the help of a car lift, which I am sure made it a lot easier that it would have been if only using a jack...
I am not sure what I was expecting after I was completed, but when I took the car for a drive the transmission did not feel any different than before? At least I know that I have the best oil I can have in the for now. And will make sure that it is replaced at a regular bases. What is the recommended frequency? Should I look at replacing the transmission oil every year, or is that overkill???

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

What is wrong with your 915? Most folks only use Sweco 201 to mask shifting issues. If you don't have any problems you don't need Swepco. It costs twice the amount of Mobile 1 syntheic lube. I've used many types of gear lube over the years and see no advantage to Sweco unless you need an "edge" with a bad shifting tranny.

As for frequency of change, it depends a bit on your driving habits. Track cars and turbos need more frequent changes than a street car. Weekend warriors can go years between changes.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Interesting - I was under the impression (after lots of reading here) that the best oil to use in the 915 was 201, as it prolongs life and makes it smother etc.... But if I can get just as good results from Mobile 1, then I will use that in future

On the subject of what is wrong with my 915? The normal stuff

The syncro on 1st gear has gone, so I can only change to first when the car is stationary and idling, or I get some nasty crunching. I also have the usual intermittent problems changing into 2nd. No crunching or grinding syncro noise, just a bit stiff. Sometimes it slides in like a hot knife in butter, and other times I have to double-clutch it. I have recently (two weeks back) replaced all the bushings and fitted the factory short shift.

So, based on this, I would say my 915 is not 100% perfect, but in good condition. As I said, not sure what to expect from the 201, but was under the impression that as someone who loved my 911 there was no other oil I should use in my transmission

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

That is only my opinion. Some folks on this board swear by Swepco.
The tranny I put Sweco in had no shifting issues. It was a little balky as some are, the Swepco had no affect. For me it is not worth the money. It is also the nastiest gooey crap I've ever worked with lube-wise. Mobile 1 is good stuff at less than half the price that's all.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Thank you. I will consider the Mobile 1 on the next change. And yes, the 201 is some nasty gooey stuff to work with. By the time I was done, there was so much of the blue stuff on the floor I was slipping all over the shop!!

livi · 05-13-2006, 06:34 AM

Congrats Pål !

According to service manual (Bentley) the interval is 60k miles. Seems a bit steep perhaps. With the general low mileage we put on our cars I think every 30k is reasonable. Still several years between changes.

I did not notice much difference neither. But the more nasty lube, the better effect..

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Thank you Markus. Hmmm, I was thinking about changing it every year - but you might be correct! Maybe once a year is way to often??
At least I now know when the oil was changed - next is the break fluid. It is nice to know that all the fluids are fresh and the brand you prefer - reminds me a bit of making sure I only give my kid the food I think is correct and best for her

livi · 05-13-2006, 08:32 AM

Yes, brake fluid is on my list. As well as the shift coupler and bushings. And this summer its time for the valve adjust (which I still hesitate to take on myself). And of course an oil and filter change. Oh, and air filter.

Darn, thats a long list!

You don´t wanna know what I stuff my kids with! Mostly pasta, pancakes and pizza. Its good for them.

Trust me - I´m a kids doctor !

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
You don´t wanna know what I stuff my kids with! Mostly pasta, pancakes and pizza. Its good for them.

Trust me - I´m a kids doctor !

When my Lucy was only 17 months old, we had a stage where for about 2 months the only thing she would eat was my Chili Con Carny - and I make it hot!!! Now, she will not touch the stuff - go figure

SLO-BOB · 05-13-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kroggers
I am not sure what I was expecting after I was completed, but when I took the car for a drive the transmission did not feel any different than before?

Same results for me. I think the mistake I made was in thinking Swepco would make a properly functioning 915 shift as well as other transmissions. In fact, there was no improvement on my 77's 915 at all. My 72's transmission, however, is not as good. I'm wondering if Swepco will improve it.

rfuerst911sc · 05-13-2006, 01:13 PM

Swepco 201 is recommended because it is a great gear oil for our 915 synchros. For some it makes dramatic changes and for others not much of a change, there are too many variables to have the same results for every owner. And from most of the posts I have seen Mobil 1 gear oil is NOT recommended for our 915 synchros but IS recommended for the G50 trannys. I think 10,000 miles between gear oil changes should be fine unless you are doing lots of racing then you would want to change sooner.

livi · 05-13-2006, 02:15 PM

10 k miles changes ?? Really ?

Sounds more like my engine oil change interval..

rfuerst911sc · 05-13-2006, 02:50 PM

O.K. what do you recommend?

randywebb · 05-13-2006, 03:02 PM

2 years is probably fine... search for counter-comments from Warren or Sherwood...

charlesbahn · charlesbahn's Garage

Swepco is GREAT. Swepco and the 915 go together like peanut butter and jelly, eggs and bacon, and well, you get my drift. The thing is, the change is not instantaneous, but after about 100 miles or so you should begin to notice a difference. And then it only gets better and better. At least that's my experience.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Hey Paul it looks like your avatar is waving the dinner bell for your yunguns! HA!

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Couldn't help but chime in here. Granted, I've got the Audi-esque 944 tranny which is on a different page than the 915, but Swepco did in fact make a considerable difference. Quieted a subtle rumble in neutral and shifted much smoother. That was over two years ago in my daily driver........other than checking the fluid level I haven't changed it since.

Shuie · 05-13-2006, 07:12 PM

Is there a thread somewhere that details this process? I need to top mine off and I admit to being clueless.

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Now granted, this is a Bimmer-centric article, but almost all of the same steps/concepts apply:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/JF-Tech/BMW_E30_3_Series_differential_oil_change.htm

No rocket science here......

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

shuie, it is one of the 101 Projects in Wayne's book...