Transmission Cured

[Cataphract_40]

just you wait. this shit is like a fine wine...only gets better with age

[Qwik6]

Mine hasn't got better yet.. I have other issues though. Amsoil and mt90 was smoother than this. IMHO

[felt]

Theres always THAT ONE.

[Frequentflyer]

After a day or so driving with this stuff in the tranny, I'd have to say it's noticably better than MT-90 as far as the knotchy, hard to get into gear problem when it's cold. As far as normal shifting goes, there doesn't seem to be too much better tha MT-90. Ironically enough, the "wah wah wah" noise when turning the wheel hard left or right at slow speeds is gone with this fluid, which is nice.

[banditscout]

Really!?!? I didn't even HAVE that noise until I put this shit in! WTF FAIL!

[Hank3]

Originally Posted by banditscout Really!?!? I didn't even HAVE that noise until I put this shit in! WTF FAIL!

You got noise after the Ford fluid?

I've been fine with the stock fluid for the first 30K. No grinding and shifts smooth for me. Gonna pick up three qts. of 75W-90 GL-4 dino oil from Napa next week - $13.86 total. Hopefully it'll work well. If not, then I'll try the Ford juice. Just don't see the need for it if the stock fluid works well enough for me. But we shall see

[BolvangaR]

Originally Posted by Frequentflyer After a day or so driving with this stuff in the tranny, I'd have to say it's noticably better than MT-90 as far as the knotchy, hard to get into gear problem when it's cold. As far as normal shifting goes, there doesn't seem to be too much better tha MT-90. Ironically enough, the "wah wah wah" noise when turning the wheel hard left or right at slow speeds is gone with this fluid, which is nice.

I have the "wah wah wah" noise as well. I'm on stock fluid, or, whatever they put in the tranny after some work they had to do. I can't wait to try this fluid

[Biggu]

definite improvement over the OEM fluid, make sure you add the LSD additive to supplement the stock LSD.

[nyghtryder]

Originally Posted by Biggu definite improvement over the OEM fluid, make sure you add the LSD additive to supplement the stock LSD.

you have a part number on the lsd additive?

[dizzin9]

Originally Posted by Qwik6 Mine hasn't got better yet.. I have other issues though. Amsoil and mt90 was smoother than this. IMHO

this crap feels the same as stock. amsoil mtg is better.

[BolvangaR]

So who actually used the friction modifier and who didn't?

[boosted3]

my 2 gear pops out when driving this really sucks and im trying to sell the car,i really dont wana get a new trans

[nyghtryder]

Originally Posted by boosted3 my 2 gear pops out when driving this really sucks and im trying to sell the car,i really dont wana get a new trans

what fluid you using? do you have a short shifter?

[Frequentflyer]

Originally Posted by BolvangaR So who actually used the friction modifier and who didn't?

I did not use friction modifier with this fluid and it works just fine. Gear noise is down and shifting is noticeably smoother.

[NCZ13]

So after having this fluid for almost a month, im still getting a 2nd gear clunk. its not as buttery as when i first put it in. I also have a AWR RMM. All the other gears are smooth, but going into 2nd still has a slight grind to it.

[dizzin9]

throw it away and get amsoil mtg. regardless, 2nd gear is really a bitch. just be careful with it.

[rigor]

i added the lsd additive to oil that already had some in it and made it shift a lot better but lost my lsd so i dumped and went back to Mobil synthetic with the additive in it. hope it starts working. to much additive is bad my Mazda tech said heed rebuild it if needed warantee ya!!
reason for adding the additive was the lsd was grabby after he rebuilt my trans, live with grabby

[Fagwagon]

ive got about 200 miles on this stuff now and boy does it work great...the shit i drained out was a pretty good amount thicker than it, im very happy with the change.

[BolvangaR]

Originally Posted by Fagwagon ive got about 200 miles on this stuff now and boy does it work great...the shit i drained out was a pretty good amount thicker than it, im very happy with the change.

Whatever is in mine sure feels "thick" as you say.

Sometimes when I shift gears, it's a perfect "click" but most of the times it feels like I'm pushing through mush... like 2-4 little "clicks" before it goes into gear. Not grinding, there is not harsh noise, but it's not a nice in and out feeling. I have the aluminum shifter bushing and that is all, but I'm not talking about "racing" style shifts, just good ol' regular, soft shifting. WTF? I seriously hate this tranny. Will a better fluid help with this?

[BolvangaR]

Originally Posted by FreeFlyFreak Hmmmm, just read something VERY interesting in an article describing some of the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 MS3's: After doing a little research it turns out the Gen 2 MS3 owners manual calls for GL-4 75W80, The Gen 1 spec is 75W90, doesnt sound like much of a change, but if you look at the centistokes it is. My guess is the 75W80 will work better in the gen 1 too, same gearbox AFAIK just slightly different gearing. Low Viscosity Manual Transmission Lubricants: Low Viscosity Manual Transmission Lubricants

I realized nobody ever responded to this..... I think this is the most interesting post of the whole thread. It deserves a second reading.

[Cheveyboy]

You guys using Amsoil, are you using MTF or MTG?

[dizzin9]

MTG, get it i swear by this!

[banditscout]

Where can one buy the Amsoil mtg???

[Cheveyboy]

Originally Posted by banditscout Where can one buy the Amsoil mtg???

Right from their website, they even sell hand pumps to make putting it in the hole even easier.

[dizzin9]

i've used mtg and that other stuff (motorcraft) and without a doubt amsoil is better.

[banditscout]

Yeah, I've had this motorcraft stuff in for almost 3000 miles...it's not living up to my expectations. It feels about the same as stock (maybe mildly improved) but it causes my trans and lsd to WHINE like crazy. It's getting annoying, and I'm thinking about switching to the Amsoil.

Edit: anyone know the exact part number for this stuff??

[dizzin9]

look into the transmission fluid section of amsoil's website. it's the piss colored one.

[Mizzle]

Just to chime in on all the complaints about LSD noise, you have to add the Ford friction modifier when doing the change. This fluid doesn't have any and the stock fluid did.

:edit:

Found this on BITOG that could be of concern:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...47#Post1278047

"That fluid, XT-M5-QS, is not GL4. It says it is suitable where GL4 is specified. It is made by Castrol and is not available in the US under the Castrol label.

Ford specifies it for use in the Contour / Mystique / Cougar / Focus MTX75 5 speed manual transaxle. It is very nearly a 10W40 synthetic motor oil but with a very high TBN. Last I knew, Royal Purple cataloged their 10W40 synthetic motor oil as their recommended replacement although many Contour owners use Royal Purple's manual transmission oil instead. XT-M5-QS works especially well in the MTX75 transaxle, but I would be reluctant to use it in other transmissions. It's additive package falls way short of that of other gear oils."

[Cheveyboy]

Interesting... You would think there would be some sort of warning on the bottle, maybe being more specific to its intended application then.

But hell, we used to use a concocktion of GM Syncromesh, Redline, and 75w90 dino in our early WRX's. To make them shift smooth.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by Mizzle Just to chime in on all the complaints about LSD noise, you have to add the Ford friction modifier when doing the change. This fluid doesn't have any and the stock fluid did. :edit: Found this on BITOG that could be of concern: Ford Synthetic Manual Trans Fluid - Bob Is The Oil Guy "That fluid, XT-M5-QS, is not GL4. It says it is suitable where GL4 is specified. It is made by Castrol and is not available in the US under the Castrol label. Ford specifies it for use in the Contour / Mystique / Cougar / Focus MTX75 5 speed manual transaxle. It is very nearly a 10W40 synthetic motor oil but with a very high TBN. Last I knew, Royal Purple cataloged their 10W40 synthetic motor oil as their recommended replacement although many Contour owners use Royal Purple's manual transmission oil instead. XT-M5-QS works especially well in the MTX75 transaxle, but I would be reluctant to use it in other transmissions. It's additive package falls way short of that of other gear oils."

Originally Posted by Cheveyboy Interesting... You would think there would be some sort of warning on the bottle, maybe being more specific to its intended application then. But hell, we used to use a concocktion of GM Syncromesh, Redline, and 75w90 dino in our early WRX's. To make them shift smooth.

You cannot just read that one post in isolation, read the whole BITOG thread and get the whole story, including what may be in the bottle.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-739-cast...productDetails
"Castrol SMX-S can be recommended for most manual transmissions where API GL1-4 lubricants are required. It has been used successfully as a problem solver in the manual transmissions of a number of manufacturers.

SAE 75W-85

API GL1-4"

[Cheveyboy]

I'm not trying to poke holes in anybodys theory. But how can we be sure the Castrol SMX-S is actually whats in the Motorcraft XT-M5-QS. Because all I am seeing is hear say on those forums. In either direction with the stuff.

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by rigor i added the lsd additive to oil that already had some in it and made it shift a lot better but lost my lsd so i dumped and went back to Mobil synthetic with the additive in it. hope it starts working. to much additive is bad my Mazda tech said heed rebuild it if needed warantee ya!! reason for adding the additive was the lsd was grabby after he rebuilt my trans, live with grabby

For those that have talked about adding LSD additive, the most intelligent and accurate posts I have found about the issue are on another forum:

Mazda Forums - View Single Post 35 - For those that have LSD noise after switching to MT90

Mazda Forums - View Single Post 40 - For those that have LSD noise after switching to MT90

[FreeFlyFreak]

Originally Posted by Cheveyboy I'm not trying to poke holes in anybodys theory. But how can we be sure the Castrol SMX-S is actually whats in the Motorcraft XT-M5-QS. Because all I am seeing is hear say on those forums. In either direction with the stuff.

We cant be sure, unless someone wants to do an analysis of both and report back with results.
But it is reported that that Motorcraft oil is made by Castrol.
The motorcraft oil was made for trannies that have shifting problems.
The Castrol SMX-S "has been used successfully as a problem solver in the manual transmissions of a number of manufacturers."

So the theory is that the Motorcraft stuff is repackaged Castrol SMX-S.
The only way to prove it would be an oil analysis of both.

Is it the same?.......Personally...... I dont care either way.
It solved my problem, which was caused by the Mazda/Subie dealer putting some crap in there that made the shifting get worse and worse and worse when they replaced one of my drive shafts. My guess they put some Subie GL-5 stuff in there that was screwing up the syncros.

EDIT: after a little more searching it is definitely not exactly the same, because the viscosity is different. The Motorcraft is 75/90 and the Castrol is 75/85

[Mizzle]

My main concern is whether or not it's good long-term. Also, if the trans is identical between Gen1 and Gen2 beyond ratios, then it would stand to reason that any lower-viscosity fluid would do the trick and this just happened to be the first someone tried.

I've emailed Mazda asking them about all this to see what input, if any, they'll have.

[nyghtryder]

Originally Posted by Mizzle My main concern is whether or not it's good long-term. Also, if the trans is identical between Gen1 and Gen2 beyond ratios, then it would stand to reason that any lower-viscosity fluid would do the trick and this just happened to be the first someone tried. I've emailed Mazda asking them about all this to see what input, if any, they'll have.

Haha you just voided your warrentee.

Seriously good luck getting a legitimate response back. They are probably going to tell you theres nothing wrong with the car, just the driver.

[ms3077]

Shit I bought this Ford motorcraft stuff but now I'm not so sure I even want to use it. It seems like people are getting better results with Amsoil which is that I used to begin with (it’s good but I think it’s time for another change because I’m at around 47k miles). I guess I’ll try to sell the Ford motorcraft fluid and buy some more Amsoil.

[03scgt]

i dont have any problems getting into gears but i have 60k miles and im hearing the diff noise (wah wah wah).what would you guys recommend i use to quiet it down? id like to pick it up on my lunch break tomorrow

the amsoil mtg?

[Mizzle]

Originally Posted by 03scgt i dont have any problems getting into gears but i have 60k miles and im hearing the diff noise (wah wah wah).what would you guys recommend i use to quiet it down? id like to pick it up on my lunch break tomorrow the amsoil mtg?

Until further evidence supports the Motorcraft stuff is any better, I'd definitely go Amsoil.

[BolvangaR]

Originally Posted by Mizzle Until further evidence supports the Motorcraft stuff is any better, I'd definitely go Amsoil.

I think the real evidence is from those who have tried both, and it seems that they are leaning towards Amsoil. I just bought some, and if I'm not happy, I'll try the motorcraft and I'll report back here of course.


EDIT: Finally replaced whatever was in my tranny and now the "wah wah" is much louder. Before, I could barely hear it and not very often. Now, it's very noticeable. Transmission seems to be more notchy, but not in a bad way. I haven't had more than a couple minutes driving with it, but so far I don't really see an improvement... it's just different.

[Mizzle]

Originally Posted by nyghtryder Haha you just voided your warrentee. Seriously good luck getting a legitimate response back. They are probably going to tell you theres nothing wrong with the car, just the driver.

First, they told me to use what's specified in the manual.
They also informed me that Mazda makes the transmission themselves.
After calling them out, they told me to ask the dealership. (hah.)
They then sent me to MazdaTechInfo.com.
They said to use what's in the manual.

*facepalm*