VP MS4A Gear oil change

[bowler]

Hello all.

Silly question maybe...

Is there any reason the above gear box cannot have oil added through the dipstick hole as opposed to the filler hole?

Reason I ask is this the wet exhaust hose runs over the filler on the the port engine (with no wiggle room) and I would rather not disconnect if possible for an oil change.

Cheers,

D.

 

[Samarano]

No reason why not, but it will take forever as the hole is so small. Air will not vent.
Faster to remove the exhaust hose.

 

[oldgit]

Warm oil first.
Possible to fill with large syringe with bendy hose.
Removing old exhaust hose could open a can of worms.
If disturbing hose you might find reconnecting and sealing problems if crevice corrosion between hose and stainless elbow.
Hose might also be old and very stiff and difficult to pull back, which might mean disconnecting at hull end.
Leave well alone. ?

 

[bowler]

I hear you. Not something I want to get into. If I am spending time on it i would rather be waiting on oil to go in slow with a beer than fighting that brute of a hose.

I might be able to crack the filler to vent and fill via the dip stick.

D.

 

[oldgit]

I hear you. Not something I want to get into. If I am spending time on it i would rather be waiting on oil to go in slow with a beer than fighting that brute of a hose.

I might be able to crack the filler to vent and fill via the dip stick.D.

You should not disturb that old exhaust hose unless unavoidable,age makes it very stiff.
Doing anything with the exhaust hose is a hatefull job and real pig.Suspect this is why most get left unchanged until you suddenly find you have lazerette full of smoke fumes and water.
Removal.
It is simply best to cut the hose into short lengths to enable removal.We used a grinder. This makes a mess.
There should be several securing brackets to release, the fastening bolts will almost certainly be well corroded, use the grinder again.
Be carefull when removing from hull connection not to damage glassfibre/hose union it might be brittle and give problems when reattacting.

Check stainless elbow for crevice corrosion, in my case it was there but superficial, a dab of CT1 made sure of no weeps.
Also hope your riser is in servicable condition.
PS. The wall of your new replacement hose will almost certainly NOT be as thick as the old one, this means your old clamps may not tighten up enough on riser/ hose union.
If you do need new ones buy from a decent motor factor, much cheaper than chandlery.
They are good quality and also used on lorry exhausts.
If your hose has what appear to be age cracks on the surface, it does not mean the inside is in a similar state.
It could turn out to be virtually as good as new.
I found this out after 4 hours of hell and £200 quid later.

 

[bowler]

Hose is staying intact. Oil will go in the dipstick hole.

The oil is clear but i would rather replace as i dont know its age or origin.

Sounds like you had a mare with the hose. Mine looks good and i will let sleeping dogs lie.

D