Ok, ever since I bought my '92 240 Torslanda 140kml (B200F/M47) I have had this hard first/second gear shift.

Although I always understood manual gearbox oil does not require changing (Haynes says so anyway) and I considered this as over-care, I decided to change out the oil. Many people on the board did report good results with changing oil, so I though there must be truth in that - sorry Haynes.

Last time I drained oil from a 240 gear box about 8 years ago (on a '78 m45) the oil was beautifully clean and not knowing the history of the car, I assumed this was normal and the oil had never been changed.

Anyway, when I removed the plug...... Thick, black oil came streaming down. oh my god! I looked at the two plugs and they where full of fine black metal mud. (picture of dirty and clean enclosed). The must is really fine, it smeared black marks on my wifes white kitchen sink (oh boy, don't do this at home!) No traces of any large metal particals. I assume with the plugs filled up like they where, large amounts of metal must have been floating around in the oil.

I filled up with Volvo spec oil (ATF GL-5 I if I remember well)

I assume the oil had never been changed, but still SHOULD BOTH PLUGS BE FILLED UP LIKE THIS!! or is there something chewing itself up and should I start looking for an M47 spare just in case...?

Naturally the shift is much better now and I lost some of the whining noice and vibration (I think) at least it feels better knowing the oil is now transparent red. I plan to change out the oil again in half a years time, allowing the plugs to fill up again and removing all the remaining metal.