Changing tranny fluid

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10-23-2008, 06:52 PM
moosemonkey

Changing tranny fluid

I was curious if someone could help me change out the transmission fluid in my 1990 miata. I have never done it before and mainly just want someone to watch over me. I havent changed the fluid since i have own the car and my tranny feels clunky at times (no grinds).
10-23-2008, 07:07 PM
onething

Where you live, if you have the room to do it at your place or need to use someone else's and such will help attract folks.
10-23-2008, 07:51 PM
gabkwong

There is a detail write up in the pointy board. If I can do it, you should have no problem to do it yourself. Just make sure you have the correct size wrenches, fluid pump (Harbor Flight has one on sale for $5) and jack stands. The main thing is to make sure you can open the fill plug before drain plug. You sure do not want to drain it all out and can not refill it back.
10-23-2008, 08:09 PM
Dave04

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabkwong

The main thing is to make sure you can open the fill plug before drain plug. You sure do not want to drain it all out and can not refill it back.

This cannot be understated... ::Teacher:
10-23-2008, 08:50 PM
black roadster

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabkwong

The main thing is to make sure you can open the fill plug before drain plug.

It needed to be said again.
10-23-2008, 08:51 PM
Walsted

1 Attachment(s)

Hopefully, this will help.
10-23-2008, 10:31 PM
creek

I changed mine lately. The fill plug was not difficult to remove but it was 16mm. First time I ever used that particular wrench. First time for everything I guess. Royal Purple made a big difference to a trans I thought was shifting fine. Great Stuff.
10-23-2008, 11:02 PM
moosemonkey

i was going to do it at my grandparents shop in crandall. I live in mesquite though. Im new to miatas i used to have a DSM so im learning about the miata now. If someone has a shop or a place to do it and they wouldnt mind lunch on me and a case of beer or dr. pepper.
10-24-2008, 06:38 AM
Titus

I have found that a 9/16 in. 8 pt Socket works on the square transmission fill plug.
10-24-2008, 07:47 AM
Sharpie

You may want to order new shifter boots, there is a big one and little one, and make sure to fill the turrate, they're almost always dry.
10-24-2008, 09:29 AM
CosmosMpower

It's easy, just need some ramps or jack stands and some hand tools.
10-24-2008, 09:35 AM
Magma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharpie

make sure to fill the turrate, they're almost always dry.

EEEEKS, I forgot to do that......Oh wait, don't have to on the 6-Speed

Sorry, back to your normally scheduled thread
10-24-2008, 09:43 AM
moosemonkey

By the way my name is Chase thanks for the input. My car is completely stock with a drop in K&N and sportmax/XXR 002's. i will get some pics up later. Do any of yall go out to mineral wells for the drift events or do yall tend to just autocross?
10-24-2008, 11:20 AM
Snowdoggie

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosemonkey

By the way my name is Chase thanks for the input. My car is completely stock with a drop in K&N and sportmax/XXR 002's. i will get some pics up later. Do any of yall go out to mineral wells for the drift events or do yall tend to just autocross?

They still have drift events at Mineral Wells?
10-24-2008, 01:32 PM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowdoggie

They still have drift events at Mineral Wells?

I guess you missed the huge piles of dead tire carcasses by the trailer?
10-24-2008, 02:56 PM
trickyrix

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

It's easy, just need some ramps or jack stands and some hand tools.

You'll probably want some kind of hand pump to squirt the juice into the tranny. I got a 1-pt metal syringe-looking thing from NAPA that works pretty well for $12.
10-24-2008, 03:16 PM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by trickyrix

You'll probably want some kind of hand pump to squirt the juice into the tranny. I got a 1-pt metal syringe-looking thing from NAPA that works pretty well for $12.

True, I bought one a while back don't remember from where maybe Napa as well. It's good to warm up the fluid in some hot water (in the bottle still of course) so it flows easier as well.
10-25-2008, 12:02 PM
mk2tmr2

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosemonkey

By the way my name is Chase thanks for the input. My car is completely stock with a drop in K&N and sportmax/XXR 002's. i will get some pics up later. Do any of yall go out to mineral wells for the drift events or do yall tend to just autocross?

I was thinking about doing the November event. Trying to figure out how to get a set of spare rear wheels/tires out there :)
10-26-2008, 03:41 AM
moosemonkey

2 tires sideways in the seat one behind the seat and one in the trunk!
10-27-2008, 10:27 AM
Darron65

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

It's good to warm up the fluid in some hot water (in the bottle still of course) so it flows easier as well.

::Whisp:: That's a clue; you don't need oil as thick as you think you do.
10-27-2008, 10:30 AM
CosmosMpower

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darron65

::Whisp:: That's a clue; you don't need oil as thick as you think you do.

Feel free to argue with chief engineers at Honda/Lotus/Mazda. I'm sure they don't know what they're talking about when they engineered the fluid and printed the required oil type/viscosity :rolleyes:
10-28-2008, 09:44 AM
ozone42

It's about time for me to attempt this again as well. With colder weather here shifting is getting notchy until it's nicely warmed up.
11-03-2008, 11:02 AM
Snowdoggie

So what's the best stuff to put in the transmission? Royal Purple? Some special slick shifting racer juice?
11-03-2008, 12:25 PM
Darron65

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowdoggie

So what's the best stuff to put in the transmission? Royal Purple? Some special slick shifting racer juice?

Redline MTL for me. I've been using it in practically everything since 95 or 96. Nice light shift effort even in cold temperatures. Runs on the low side of viscosity recommendations but still meets manufacturer's specs, Cosmos. ::Banana:: The only lighter oil I would consider using is ATF but I'm happy where I'm at.

Viscosity grade is the single most important consideration, followed by additive type/package. I tend to favor lower viscosities as it suits my driving style/duty cycle. If you are pumping twice the original power through your transmission and/or have long track sessions with poor cooling airflow then you may want to run a bit thicker. It's easy to overcompensate in this area though. Install temperature sensors if you really want to know what's going on.
11-03-2008, 01:38 PM
cam76034

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Feel free to argue with chief engineers at Honda/Lotus/Mazda. I'm sure they don't know what they're talking about when they engineered the fluid and printed the required oil type/viscosity :rolleyes:

Funny you should mention this. Take a look at the recommended oil viscosities from a 90 Miata owner's manual versus a 91.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...hoto/90oil.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...hoto/91oil.jpg
11-16-2008, 03:16 PM
SirHustlerEsq

redline mt-90 is too thin for the track, and too thin for the street from personal experience. I started to lose a 3rd gear synchro with mobile 1, and I also found out that it "rolls" more than most.

Motul is the shznit according to BITOG, Gary and Wagz run it and like it. It shifts fine, and the ester compounds in Motul are the best available. BITOG also really likes Shaeffer gear oil, and they've done the testing to prove it. I'd like to run Schaeffer in my 5-speed but can't find it in town. If you track the car, don't expect standard-service oils to do the job of a race-quality oil.