Do-it-yourself oil change in a VAZ 2108 gearbox

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Transmission oil serves to lubricate the mechanical components of the gearbox. Due to it, the structure lasts longer, is more reliable, and friction of metal elements from each other is prevented.

Kinds

Today, various oils are used for gearboxes, each of which has its own characteristics.

The main criterion for choosing gearbox oil is the class. Since the VAZ 2109 is a front-wheel drive car, it is recommended to fill the gearbox with GL3 or GL4 class lubricants. Imported oils have such designations, and foreign ones have TM3 and TM4, respectively. In this case, it is not recommended to use TM5/GL5 lubricants, since they wear out the gearbox synchronizers.

What to choose in a car store?

And so we came to the auto store to buy oil in a box for the VAZ-2109. Of course, sellers today are more likely to sell you a more expensive product. However, it is best to give preference to imported oils in the mid-price range. But here we are faced with classification.

GL-4 is an oil that is used for “nines” with front-wheel drive. GL-5 is used in other cases. You can also find combined oils of the GL-4/5 brand; they are suitable for all VAZ-2109. The oil box should be filled with GL-4 or GL-4/5, the viscosity should be as follows: 75w-40, 80W-90. It won’t be difficult to find all this in specialized stores. However, extremely tempting low prices should be avoided. The average temperature range varies from -25 to +40 degrees Celsius. As a rule, the lower the thickening temperature, the better, especially given the harsh winters in our country.

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Quantity

We have determined which oil is best to pour into the Nine gearbox, now we will determine how much lubricant is in the gearbox of the VAZ 2109 model.

In many ways, the amount of oil you fill depends on whether you are replacing it completely or partially. The volume of lubricant in the gearbox is approximately 3 liters. Between partial and complete replacement, we recommend choosing a complete one.

When pouring lubricant into the gearbox, use the dipstick as a guide. The optimal filling of the transmission crankcase is the mark between the minimum and maximum levels on the dipstick.

Filling the gearbox with lubricant

general information

The vehicle operating instructions from the manufacturer state that the interval between lubricant changes in the gearbox is 75 thousand km or once every 5 years. In practice, maintaining such a long gap is not recommended. The fact is that the actual operating conditions of a car on our roads are considered difficult. And in difficult conditions, all intervals between replacements of consumables must be reduced. This is especially true for cars operated in rural areas. Therefore, it is better to change the oil in the VAZ 2109 gearbox at least once every 50 thousand km.

In the "nines" that were produced in the early years, the oil in the box was poured the same as into the engine. This was also recommended by the manufacturer. Somewhat later, special transmission oils for the VAZ 2108-09 of the 80W-85, 80W-90 brands appeared on the market, which the manufacturer began to recommend for use, and it is better to use them now. Nevertheless, pouring engine oil into the gearbox will not be a mistake, but you need to understand the nuances:

• You need to change the engine oil in the gearbox as often as in the power unit;
• The service life of the box will decrease and noise may appear in it.

For these reasons, motor lubricant can be poured into the gearbox only as a last resort. The amount of lubricant depends on the design of the unit; the old units were four-stage, and later five-stage units appeared. The required volume of gear oil is 3 liters and 3.3 liters, respectively.

Replacement features

Now we proceed directly to the procedure for changing the transmission oil. The task is not difficult, but it is not worth approaching this issue lightly.

To get started, check out the general recommendations:

• Always have a dry cloth ready to wipe the dipstick when removing it from the boat;
• Before checking the lubricant level, warm up the car and change 1-2 gears;
• It is necessary to check the lubricant level before and after replacement;
• If your VAZ 2109 is not equipped with a dipstick, use the lower edge of the oil filler hole as a guide. The liquid should reach this edge, but not be higher or lower than this mark.

For a gearbox, under-lubrication is just as bad as over-lubrication. Always try to find a middle ground so that the gearbox can operate as efficiently, long and reliably as possible.

Good to know

What kind of oil to fill

The most interesting thing is that according to the regulations, it is allowed to fill the VAZ 2109, 2108 and 21099 manual transmissions with motor oil, but with the proviso that the replacement will be carried out as in the engine - once every 10 - 15 thousand kilometers. But such measures were resorted to earlier, when gear oils were practically impossible to find. Now the range of these fluids is so wide that many, even avid car enthusiasts with extensive driving experience, get lost and take a long time to choose the appropriate transmission fluid. To avoid confusion and ensure you get exactly what you need, follow these instructions:

• The basic rule is that expensive does not mean quality (when choosing, do not rely on price; usually, the more expensive the oil, the higher the likelihood of counterfeiting)
• First of all, pay attention to the marking, the viscosity should be 80W-85 or 80W-90
• The oil class must be GL-4 or GL-5, which corresponds to the domestic markings TM-3 and TM-4.
• For cars of the VAZ family, there are transmission fluids specially designed for them, for example, Rexol T, Omskoil Trans P and Volonez TM4. If you come across these brands, purchase one of them without hesitation.
• Purchase any oils only in specialized stores and from official dealers! This is very important to avoid counterfeits.

Dipstick Yes or not?

VAZ 2109 cars were produced from 1987 to 2011. During this time, certain adjustments were made to the design of the car, including gearboxes.

That’s why now nines are found both with and without a probe. Because of this, the procedure for changing the lubricant in the gearbox may differ slightly.

Earlier versions of the VAZ 2109 do not have a dipstick, but received a filler hole closed with a plug. To get to it, you have to crawl under the car. Later versions of the VAZ 2109 received a dipstick and filler hole located on top. To fill the lubricant, you just need to lift the hood.

Dipstick for lubrication in the gearbox

Changing the oil in a serviced and unserviced box of a VAZ 2109

Strange noises and an unpleasant hum, as well as difficult shifting between gears, are the most common problems with such a reliable and time-tested component of a car as the gearbox. It is the low oil level or its poor production that is the first cause of these symptoms.

Changing the oil in a VAZ 2109 gearbox does not require any specific skills or expensive tools. It is quite possible to do it on your own. Let's look at how to fill oil into a VAZ 2109 box without a dipstick yourself. After this procedure (if it does not help), you should go to a service station and look for the causes of problems in the gearbox mechanism and even in the clutch.

Replacement steps

The entire process of replacing the lubricant in the gearbox can be divided into three main stages:

• Checking the lubricant level;
• Draining old oil;
• Pouring new lubricant into the box.

Let's go through each stage separately.

Level check

Checking the current oil level in the gearbox is not difficult, regardless of whether you have a dipstick or not.

If the dipstick is missing, we will check with our finger. This is done as follows:

• Under the car, unscrew the filler plug from the gearbox;
• If after this the liquid begins to flow out, the level is sufficient. If not, insert your finger into the hole. Having felt the liquid at the level of the edge of the filler hole, we can talk about the optimal amount of lubricant;
• You can visually drain all the lubricant and, by its quantity in the container, determine how much liquid was in the system.

If you have a probe, everything is simple:

• Unscrew the plug on which the measuring probe is attached;
• Wipe it with a dry cloth;
• Place back into box. In this case, the machine must be on a flat surface and at rest;
• Take out the dipstick and see what the meter shows. It has Min and Max marks. It is optimal if the oil stains the dipstick up to the maximum mark, but not above it.

In order for the new lubricant in the gearbox to work effectively, the first step is to get rid of the old one. The transmission oil is drained quite easily.

Drain

To drain the lubricant from the gearbox you need:

1. Remove the rubber plug from the breather, clean the breather with wire and close it with the plug. This will help equalize the pressure inside the gearbox.
2. Unscrew the drain plug. In old and updated versions of the VAZ 2109, this plug is located the same way - at the bottom of the box.
3. Drain the oil into a container of about 5 liters prepared in advance.
4. After draining all the lubricant, screw the drain plug back securely.

When the engine is warm, the fluid from the gearbox will drain faster and more efficiently. But at the same time, follow safety precautions. After all, you are working with hot oil.

Replacement

Now we have reached the point where we need to fill in new lubricant. We have already determined which one.

• Unscrew the filler plug located at the bottom;
• Using a syringe, gradually fill the gearbox housing with fresh oil;
• Add until the liquid is level with the edge of the filler hole;
• Close the plug.

An important difference is the gearboxes on the VAZ 2109 with 5 speeds. They require approximately 300-350 milliliters more lubricant to be poured. Otherwise, when operating in 5th gear mode, the gearbox will experience oil starvation.

To add the required additional amount of lubricant to the five-speed gearbox, do the following.

1. Use a jack to raise the rear of the car. This way the additional amount of lubricant will not spill out.
2. While the machine is raised, add the required amount of oil.
3. Close the plug and only then return the car to a horizontal position.

Filling through the engine compartment

Replacement via dipstick

Many people rightly believe that it is most convenient to change the oil in the box through the dipstick. The instructions for this case are as follows.

• Raise the hood;
• Unscrew the plug with the built-in dipstick;
• Pour liquid into the hole through a funnel or using a syringe;
• As you fill, check with a dipstick to see what level you have reached;
• When you get the oil at the MAX mark, there is no need to add more lubricant;
• Screw the dipstick into place.

Whether or not to flush the gearbox before replacing it is up to you to decide. Focus on the current state of the old grease being drained. Periodic washing will not be superfluous.

Sequencing

Changing the oil in the VAZ 2109 gearbox begins with draining the waste from the oil sump. It is located on the left side (along the direction of the car), in its upper part there is a drain plug. You need to loosen it with a 17 key, substitute a tray or bucket and then continue to unscrew the plug by hand. At the last moment, the hand with the cork must be sharply removed to the side.

The gearbox dipstick allows you to control the oil level in it during the filling process

In order not to hold the bucket under the stream of mining, you can put a board through the opening of the inspection ditch and place the bucket on it. Now you need to give some time (from 15 minutes to half an hour) for the used oil to completely drain out. When finished, the plug must be screwed into place and gently pressed with a key. The next step is to pour fresh oil into the VAZ 2109 box. Open the hood and find the lubricant level dipstick, remove it and wipe it with a rag.

Access to the filler hole is very limited, which is why a funnel with a hose is needed. The end of the hose must be inserted into the filler hole, and then begin filling. Since gear oil is quite viscous, it will flow slowly and the process may take a little longer. Advice: in the cold season, before using, it is better to keep the new lubricant for a couple of hours near a heat source, then it will be possible to fill it faster.

You can control the amount of lubricant poured using the marks on the canister; at the right moment you will need to stop, remove the hose and measure the level with a dipstick. It should be halfway between the minimum and maximum marks, otherwise you need to add oil. In older "nines" there is no dipstick in the gearbox. Instead, there is a hole above the drain plug for filling oil.

It is located quite inconveniently, so the ideal option is to fill the oil sump using a special syringe. This is available at all service stations, but not all car enthusiasts have it. The solution is as follows: the tube attached to the funnel is made longer and inserted into this hole, leading the other end into the engine compartment. An assistant holds a funnel and fills it with oil, and the owner of the car controls the level while in the inspection ditch.

When changing the oil in the gearbox, you also need to clean the breather, which has a rubber cap on its fitting. Having completed all this simple work, you will have peace of mind about the reliable operation and service life of the gearbox of your VAZ 2109.