Transmission Cured

[darth vader]

Overfilling is a recipe for blown seals, leaks and internal damage. Remember, there's an expected air volume inside the case and there's a bunch of whirling gears pumping fluid and air around. If you overfill with an essentially incompressible fluid, something's gotta give.

[flyrevs2]

Originally Posted by darth vader Any Ford technician/parts guy will know exactly what I am talking about. It's a little 4 oz bottle and it's is called "friction modifier". It is used in alot of ford's Trak Lok diffs from millions of cars in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Basically it makes gear lube a touch more slippery than usual, to reduce LSD chatter. It's called fish oil because it reeks like rotting fish. Costs a couple bucks, no more. Ford Racing Performance Parts []

Ok , I gots the Ford friction modifier. Seriously, this is the stinkiest stuff on the planet.
Be careful using it, as even a tiny bit spilled stinks real bad.
Couldn't really tell a difference yet but my tranny was already warm when I added it. I'll report back after a few cold starts.
ps. picked it up at the ford dealer for $5

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak Been hearing that a lot. Seems strange, OM says 2.6, Service manuall says 2.6 buy you guys are getting 3+ in it..... You are level right? not jacked up or anything?

yea 2.6 qts. if the car is flat, prolly holds more is the car is jacked off, careful not to overfill.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Well I went ahead and got the Ford stuff xt m5 qs, a 24mm wrench, and a hand pump.
Put the fluid in and will go for a drive later.

The fluid that came out didnt look bad at all, I am wondering now if they changed the fluid when they replaced my drive shaft a couple of months ago.
If they did, who knows what they used.
The dealer is a combo Subaru Mazda dealer, they could easily have put some Subie GL-5 stuff in there!!

EDIT:
I just read the service manual and it calls for draining the fluid when changing the shaft.
No wonder things went down hill recently tranny wise, glad I caught it so soon, 2600miles on whatever they put in there, didnt notice a difference at first, but it has deteriorated rapidly over the past Month or so (shaft was changed mid October).
I am almost positive this is where my recent notchy hard shifting came from.
Cost me $80 for the oil and tools to fix what I think was caused by some dealer SNAFU.
If I had thought that might have been the reason earlier I would have taken it in and had them fix the problem, would have been useful to document it in case of future problems.

Anyway I'll let you know, if it gets better.
Never had any complaint about the tranny till the last Month or so.

[08cosmic3]

Originally Posted by felt Did you buy 3 or 20? Because on their site I see "There is a limit of 20 quarts per order due to shipping limitations"

That means you can't order MORE than 30 quarts. I ordered 3 and you will only need 2.7 quarts.

I used the how to and filled using gravity and a long tube. I guess if you pump it in from above or have the front end jacked up then it will hold more than 2.7

[ilusch]

Originally Posted by ms3077 So all these cars have the same transmission as the MS3?? I think this is for the regular 3 not the Speed3 unless of course it's a modified version. Wow, the 911 Carrera uses a transmission made by this company; SP6 Avensis Corolla Verso Camry Scion tC RAV4 Mazda Motor Corporation Mazda6 Mazda5 Mazda3 CX-7 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Eclipse Grandis Outlander Rancer Chrysler LLC Dodge Caliber Dodge Avenger Jeep Compass Jeep Patriot Chrysler Sebring

The diesel cars are using the bg6! Sometimes they make more torque as the speed 3 !

The Toyota diesel have about 300 lb/ft!!!

[Cataphract_40]

I bought this some of this stuff today, too. I actually posted this in the M3F topic in the OP. My factory tranny fluid is draining overnight as I type this, I'm going to put the XT-M5-QS in tomorrow morning and report back on impressions.

wassup, thanks for the recommendation. I don't know if you remember this, but you actually suggested XT-M5-QS to me way back in July when we were at Ken's taking the front bumper off my MS3 so he could look at the FMIC.

Well i am happy to say that everything went off without a hitch - shifts are smooth and click-clickity now! I have to say that this XT-M5-QS stuff is a QUALITY product!

[shpankey]

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak Been hearing that a lot. Seems strange, OM says 2.6, Service manuall says 2.6 buy you guys are getting 3+ in it..... You are level right? not jacked up or anything?

Yea, perfectly level. Even put a level on the battery. I spilt some, so I would guess it took right at 3 quarts, maybe a hair less. I filled it over a bit then let it drain for 30 minutes until it didn't come out while being level. My pinky in the hole, the fluid was right there level with the bottom of the hole. I am not worried at all about being overfilled b/c I know I had it level.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by shpankey Yea, perfectly level. Even put a level on the battery. I spilt some, so I would guess it took right at 3 quarts, maybe a hair less. I filled it over a bit then let it drain for 30 minutes until it didn't come out while being level. My pinky in the hole, the fluid was right there level with the bottom of the hole. I am not worried at all about being overfilled b/c I know I had it level.

Yeah me too, I was level and took almost 3. My guess is 2.8 quarts

[bf360]

Can over filling damage your transmission at all?

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by bf360 Can over filling damage your transmission at all?

Yes........... if it were possible.
If the car is level it is not possible to overfill, unless you are a fool, that is why the fill hole is on the side.
Any excess will drain out.
The top of the fill hole is the "High full" and one cm below the fill hole is "Low full"
Per the service manual.



I am thinking the quantity given in the owners manual, is more of a guide of how much to buy, or how much to expect to have to put in there before it begins dribbling back out.
The acceptable full quantity is a range.


Also, by way of an update, my car tranny is back to normal now after putting this stuff in, in fact I would say better than normal in terms of shifting.
I am now 100% convinced that the Mazda/Subaru dealer put some incorrect fluid in there, the tranny got progressively worse over 2500 miles until I could take it no longer, and then realized there must be a problem.
The only thing I do notice is a little noise from the LSD when the car is cold, and making a sharp turn.
I don't remember hearing that when the car had the original OEM fluid in it........ but there again I wasn't listening either.
Shifts way better though.

[wildfrisco]

On another forum someone said the 6-speed is actually a Getrag 6MTT450:

GETRAG Corporate Group - 6MTT450 TRANSMISSION

[FreeFlyFreak]

I have heard both stories, but I trust wassup61 so I am going with his.

[nue]

So, that's why we don't have transmission dipsticks.

[Tcman2006]

anyone know how much the average dealer charges to change fluid

[nyghtryder]

Originally Posted by Tcman2006 anyone know how much the average dealer charges to change fluid

too much, if you can change your oil you can do this.

[Tcman2006]

my dealership kinda has this deal going..they do all the service and then give me a lifetime powertrain warranty

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by Tcman2006 my dealership kinda has this deal going..they do all the service and then give me a lifetime powertrain warranty

Tranny fluid is not required to be changed according to the Mazda Maintenance schedule.

Therefore do it yourself, how will they know?

[Tcman2006]

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak Tranny fluid is not required to be changed according to the Mazda Maintenance schedule. Therefore do it yourself, how will they know?

oooh ok good to know thanks....is there a how to on this?

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by Tcman2006 oooh ok good to know thanks....is there a how to on this?

Link to a "how to" in post # 6 of the thread linked below:
Synthetic transmission oil suggestion

[Mudpie]

If you are in the Marietta/Atlanta GA area, they carry the Motorcraft stuff at Original Equipment Marketing (340 Franklin Road, Marietta GA, 770-919-2515). The invoice from last May shows a retail price of $17.94/qt, they sold it at $13.12/qt. The big thing is have the Motorcraft part number ( XT-M5-QS ) with you when you go to any of the dealers. A number of people on miata.net have commented how the parts guys keep trying the sell the 75W140 smutz for diffys and claim it replaces the 75W90 stuff. WRONG ANSWER! Even at Original Equipment marketing, they pulled the diffy smutz and I had to show them the right stuff in the Motorcraft catalog, see screen shot below. Also note that Original does not take checks from individuals.

If you want directions involving "you go to the Big Chicken and...," send me a PM indicating where you will be coming from and directions will be supplied. Note, directions may involve mention of Waffle House or street with Peachtree somewhere in the name as well.

[Hank3]

Thought about ordering this Ford fluid since I'm at 26K now, but I have had complaints with the stock fluid. Haven't had any grinds. Only thing I've experienced is when we had the cold snap in FL a few weeks back and it was somewhat hard to shift into 2nd in the mornings.

Where can you purchase the stock fluid at?

[hnda etr]

Originally Posted by Hank3 Thought about ordering this Ford fluid since I'm at 26K now, but I have had complaints with the stock fluid. Haven't had any grinds. Only thing I've experienced is when we had the cold snap in FL a few weeks back and it was somewhat hard to shift into 2nd in the mornings. Where can you purchase the stock fluid at?

Uhhh.... Dealership?

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by Tcman2006 anyone know how much the average dealer charges to change fluid

My dealer does it for $79.95, but since I'm supplying the fluid they're only charging me $50... Not too bad at all.

They're doing it on Friday so I'm pumped to feel the difference over the stock gunk.

[Cataphract_40]

have you considered doing it yourself?

I mean, you'll save $50...

[MATT DAMOND]

I in-fact changed my trans fluid last night. I put in the Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, as recommended by Jeff (wassup61). Don't pay a dealer to do it, unless you have no tools or means to lift the car. It's really easy to do yourself, with some tubing a funnel and a BIG-ASS 24mm wrench. I actually did it w/o lifting the car.

I also put in my stock RMM, cause the vibes from my cp-e RMM were getting annoying. I'll put the cp-e back in, come my next track day.

Anyways, my car now shifts as smooth as glass. I was having 2nd gear engagement issues, that now seem to be completely gone, thanks to the Motorcraft fluid.

[Cataphract_40]

Originally Posted by MATT DAMOND Anyways, my car now shifts as smooth as glass. I was having 2nd gear engagement issues, that now seem to be completely gone, thanks to the Motorcraft fluid.

good shit, isn't it?

[Frequentflyer]

I got it for a pretty good price off Ebay. $32.49 for 3 quarts + $13 for shipping.

[madvillain]

I think I'm going to go ahead and jump on this bandwagon..

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by MATT DAMOND I in-fact changed my trans fluid last night. I put in the Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, as recommended by Jeff (wassup61). Don't pay a dealer to do it, unless you have no tools or means to lift the car. It's really easy to do yourself, with some tubing a funnel and a BIG-ASS 24mm wrench. I actually did it w/o lifting the car. I also put in my stock RMM, cause the vibes from my cp-e RMM were getting annoying. I'll put the cp-e back in, come my next track day. Anyways, my car now shifts as smooth as glass. I was having 2nd gear engagement issues, that now seem to be completely gone, thanks to the Motorcraft fluid.

Hmm... You've got me thinking now.

I might just it then. I mean, $50 is $50.

[cld12pk2go]

Originally Posted by Alpha Hmm... You've got me thinking now. I might just it then. I mean, $50 is $50.

Takes less than an hour. So unless making $50/hr is not interesting to you then go for it.

If you need to buy a tool or two? So what, you will still come out $30 ahead and with useful tools.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by cld12pk2go If you need to buy a tool or two? So what, you will still come out $30 ahead and with useful tools.

That is the way I always look at it........ it is like the dealership buying me tools.

[Alpha]

Haha! SOLD!

[Fagwagon]

just ordered mine!

[06Speed6]

Originally Posted by Frequentflyer I got it for a pretty good price off Ebay. $32.49 for 3 quarts + $13 for shipping.

Ur a bitch! I sent them a message and asked them for a 3qt auction lmao.

[bani]

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak Isnt our tranny a Getrag? think I remember reading that somewhere.

no. our trans is an Aisin BG6.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by bani no. our trans is an Aisin BG6.

That was cleared up in posts #4 #7 and #11......
Maybe read the thread next time.

[FULLBLOWN]

So this is probably a long shot but from what I read in here, by only one person, would amsoil be a better way to go even if its more expensive?

[Cataphract_40]

Buy the XT-M5-QS. It is the lube of the Gods. It flows in a giant, slippery river from its source on top of Mount Olympus, spreading smooth shifts to mortals throughout the land

[banditscout]

It is truly outstanding. I put this stuff in last week, and it really does make quite a difference in shift smoothness. The shifter seems much less reluctant to push through the gates. I also installed my solid shifter base bushings, and shifter weight a few days ago, which further pleases my right hand. IMHO these are the first 3 things you should do to this car. It really makes it quite a bit more enjoyable to drive. For under $100 bucks total for those 3 mods, you can't go wrong. DO IT.

[Frequentflyer]

I put this XT-M5-QS shit in today. I haven't driven it very much since, but from what I can tell, it's smooth as butter already.