Gearbox oil change

I was going to refresh the oil in my Rover 45 as the Haynes manual recommends changing it every 60,000 miles. However, I have found that the drain and refill plugs are blanked off. How do I check the oil level or refill the gearbox if the driveshafts have to be removed and refitted? Also, does engine oil have a shelf life, as I have five litres in storage?

Michael Kent

As your Rover 45 is a late model, I am assuming it was built around 2005 and has a manual gearbox. The drain and level plugs should be situated at the nearside of the differential, just below and beside the nearside driveshaft. The filler and level plugs should not be blanked off, but may have a recessed hex. The plugs do become very tight over time and it is always advisable to check the filler plug can be removed before draining the gearbox oil. In addition, the IB5 unit will have a filler plug, but may not have a drain plug.

The type of oil depends on whether you have the PG1 or R65 unit fitted. Both were used in the Rover 45, as well as the IB5 gearbox. Thus, the oil will either be MTF94 or 10W-40.

The shelf life of oil depends on the temperature and conditions of storage. A sealed container that prevents airborne moisture entering the liquid

and stored in a dry place away from sunlight should be good for around five years. As the oil ages, the first sign of ageing is usually deposits at the base of the liquid. This is the residue of additives that have begun to separate.