If it's anything like my 2005 1.9 manual 5-speed box, I take the near-side wheel off (just to make access easier to the fill plug). Jack the van up to get the wheel off, but then let it down slightly to get it back to level. Once you've drained the oil refit the drain plug, remove the fill plug & keep filling until it starts to come out of the fill plug. Then refit the plug. Make sure when you refit the two plugs the threads are clean & dry, a little bit of thread sealant will help prevent them leaking in the future.
I believe there are a couple of different sizes of Allen key, maybe one type is a triple-square or Torx, you'll have to check before you start that you have the correct size/type key.

It's a very simple job, can't remember gown much the oil is, but I'm sure it's nothing like £100 !

If you remove a drive shaft you will loose oil & not be able to put in the correct amount ! You just have to make sure the van is level when you check /refill it.

The gearboxes are supposed to be "filled for life", but like you I firmly believe changing it will not do any harm at all.

 

Thanks.
I have seem lots of posts for T4 oil drains but nothing for T5's. I'm new to VW and T5's so learning stuff.

 

3 litres of genuine VW gear oil for the six speed is over £70 inc VAT
retail.

 

I changed the oil on 2008 2.5ltr BNZ(six speed) about 12 months ago using oil supplied by Opie oils and don't think it cost that much.
Not had any problems with this oil as it is up to spec for this model and I assume it should be fine for yours.
Found it on EBAY , came in a couple of days.
The hardest part doing the job was getting allen key big enough to release the fill plug if I remember correct.
Can't remember what the drain plug is and can't see without removing my undertray.
I didn't need to take the n/s wheel off to access anything so easy enough job to do yourself and save a heap of money.






T:​

ORDER TOTAL£25.95



Order Fuchs TITAN SINTOFLUID SAE 75W-80 Manual Transmission Fluid MTF 3 x 1 Litres 3L

​

 

Im not sure it takes anywhere near 3ltrs... ill have a look on elsawin later.

 

Here's a link to various types of transmission oil suitable for a T5.
Got a varied chose depending how much you want to spend.


https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts...ission-oil-11915/vw/transporter/transporter-v-box-7ha-7hh-7ea-7eh/32256-2-0-tdi​

 

My bad, found an old post, says 2.7 l

 

My six 6 speed takes definitely took 2.7 litres when I recently had it drained to replace a bearing. The OP's 5 speed might be less. The 5 and 6 speeds take a different viscosity oil. I am using the Fuchs 75w-80 oil which is about £40 all in but I am having the same experience as Martin33100 warned me about in that the cold changes are not as good with the Fuchs. There is no crunching as such but the cold changes are notchier than they were with the old (155k miles original 15 year old) VW oil. I'd be interested to hear what t32vanski08 thinks of his cold gear changes with the Fuchs oil. T:

As far as I know the 5 speed uses the big old Allen plug (17mm?) but the 6 speed uses a 16mm multispline with a security pin in the centre for both level and drain plugs which means you need a dedicated socket to undo it. VW might have varied this by year/model.

 

My six 6 speed takes definitely took 2.7 litres when I recently had it drained to replace a bearing. The OP's 5 speed might be less. The 5 and 6 speeds take a different viscosity oil. I am using the Fuchs 75w-80 oil which is about £40 all in but I am having the same experience as Martin33100 warned me about in that the cold changes are not as good with the Fuchs. There is no crunching as such but the cold changes are notchier than they were with the old (155k miles original 15 year old) VW oil. I'd be interested to hear what t32vanski08 thinks of his cold gear changes with the Fuchs oil. T:

As far as I know the 5 speed uses the big old Allen plug (17mm?) but the 6 speed uses a 16mm multispline with a security pin in the centre for both level and drain plugs which means you need a dedicated socket to undo it. VW might have varied this by year/model.

To be honest I can't say I have noticed a great difference in the ability of the gear selection when cold with the FUCHS oil.
My experience over the years is any gearbox irrespective of the oil will possibly be a little sluggish until the oil gets warm but that maybe that the old EP80 & EP90 were not up to the standard of modern transmission oils.
Manual gearbox construction are still pretty much the same as it has been for many years so I find it difficult to understand why there is such a varied assortment of oil on the market. Are the manufacturers just taking us for fools by fleecing us.
I understand that the correct oil is needed in DSG type boxes but manuals well!!
If a particular oil meets the advised spec and is cheaper than the so called genuine stuff I don't why there should be any problems.
Food for thought.


T:​

 

My 09 58 plate 6 speed uses an allen key

 

Must be just the early ones that have it then. https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=129134

 

Just make sure you use VW oil, More people have used similar or better spec oil to have problems ,
And have to rechange oil with vw stuff ,,don't ask why ..

 

There are quite a few differences in modern gearboxes particularly on the six speed which has four shafts instead of twp or three. Different materials (particularly with brass or bronze) mean different oils They even have synchromesh in reverse these days. I might have to try the genuine oil but I'd be hacked off if it is still just the same. LOL:

Can anyone else who has genuine VW oil in their six speed gearbox say if they can tell the difference between hot and cold changes?

 

Mine is on genuine vw oil, i notice no difference in changes between cold and warm. Ive change the oil twice in the past 5 years, once when i bought as maintenance and once again when i did drive shaft and stub shafts. Due to do again as im going to do stub shaft seals as one is leaking.

Im sure i only ever drained a litre and refilled a litre last time i done it but it was a while ago. I only bought a litre this time ready to do but looks like im going to have to buy two more

 

Im sure i only ever drained a litre and refilled a litre last time i done it but it was a while ago. I only bought a litre this time ready to do but looks like im going to have to buy two more

You certainly will Stephen. Given your comments I'm seriously thinking of blowing a ridiculous £70 just to find out!

 

2007 5 speed with 1.9.Two 17mm allen keys.Bottom one is quite easy to find,fill/level plug is behind left side front wheel.Its probably possible to fill without taking the wheel of but makes it alot easier.Ive read different numbers regarding amount but mine took like 1.4l or so.Vw spec oil was 30e/l and thats what i would suggest using,i once destroyed the mt75 gearbox on a transit by using generic gearbox fluid.

 

Reviving this thread as changed the gearbox oil yesterday on my 6 speed (52k and '64 plate).

Used the VW oil that's priced like Unicorn tears at £133.81 for 3l PArt number G052527A2

Old oil looked ok coming out, no difference in colour to the new however the gear changes are definitely a lot smoother now. 1st to 2nd has improved the most however all changes just feel smoother. Not cheap for the oil but I would say to anyone who hasn't done a change in 50k then its worth doing.

My box had 10mm hex bolts for both drain and fill, took bang on 2.7l and not a hard job to do (hardest bit is getting the van level on ramps for the front then jacks for the rear - used a level on sill to check level).

 

£133.81? Wow, from £70 to £133 in four years! That's VW inflation for you.

 

I know, did squeal and say 'that can't be right' but he checked and that's the price - no discount either. Even checked with another stealer and they quoted the same.

More expensive than single malt.