6spd, oil levels, drain hole, 6th gear, whine, mileage
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Posts: 1,193
Total Cats: 29
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
After buying my car I drained and refilled the 6spd with half MTL and half MT-90. I assumed the amount was the same as the 5spd. Drove around for a month or so. When I found out it was 200ml less (2L vs. 1.8L) I did a quick eyeball measured pull the drain plug out and stick in back on routine of hopefully the right amount.
Drove it another 3 months.
The car has over 237,000kms on it so it's no spring chicken. I hear the occasional slight gear whine, perhaps I hear it more in 6th, perhaps not. In 6th I am usually cruising along with more time to listen and relax so maybe thats why I think I hear it in that gear more or perhaps it really is 6th gear doing it?? With the mileage on it I expect some noise. I changed the oil so soon after getting it that I can't remember if it made the noise prior to my oil change.
Just this morning it would not go into 6th for a short spell. I got all paranoid and started thinking about it being 100ml-200ml short of oil and what could that possibly do, is the whine a dry 6th gear bearing, is my clutch toasting, slave cyl. etc, etc, etc.??
I went out at lunch and it is now fine. I will check the slave and see if that is leaking or doing anything odd. I'm still worried though.
When the car is level is the fill hole a proper indicator of the tranny being full - as in when it comes back out its good to go. I assume yes but you never know, it could be short of that. Mazda might say angle the car 17.34 degrees and fill till it comes out and if south of the equator fill at 14.67 degrees.
So has anyone else had a weird episode with 6th gear, did I just have a momentary lapse of how to drive a standard? Will putting a full 2L in there hurt a 6spd?
Thank you for reading my above novel.....
Drove it another 3 months.
The car has over 237,000kms on it so it's no spring chicken. I hear the occasional slight gear whine, perhaps I hear it more in 6th, perhaps not. In 6th I am usually cruising along with more time to listen and relax so maybe thats why I think I hear it in that gear more or perhaps it really is 6th gear doing it?? With the mileage on it I expect some noise. I changed the oil so soon after getting it that I can't remember if it made the noise prior to my oil change.
Just this morning it would not go into 6th for a short spell. I got all paranoid and started thinking about it being 100ml-200ml short of oil and what could that possibly do, is the whine a dry 6th gear bearing, is my clutch toasting, slave cyl. etc, etc, etc.??
I went out at lunch and it is now fine. I will check the slave and see if that is leaking or doing anything odd. I'm still worried though.
When the car is level is the fill hole a proper indicator of the tranny being full - as in when it comes back out its good to go. I assume yes but you never know, it could be short of that. Mazda might say angle the car 17.34 degrees and fill till it comes out and if south of the equator fill at 14.67 degrees.
So has anyone else had a weird episode with 6th gear, did I just have a momentary lapse of how to drive a standard? Will putting a full 2L in there hurt a 6spd?
Thank you for reading my above novel.....
#2
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: VA, Germany, Afghanistan
Posts: 2,945
Total Cats: 3
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
After buying my car I drained and refilled the 6spd with half MTL and half MT-90. I assumed the amount was the same as the 5spd. Drove around for a month or so. When I found out it was 200ml less (2L vs. 1.8L) I did a quick eyeball measured pull the drain plug out and stick in back on routine of hopefully the right amount.
....
Just this morning it would not go into 6th for a short spell. I got all paranoid and started thinking about it being 100ml-200ml short of oil and what could that possibly do, is the whine a dry 6th gear bearing, is my clutch toasting, slave cyl. etc, etc, etc.??
.....
So has anyone else had a weird episode with 6th gear, did I just have a momentary lapse of how to drive a standard? Will putting a full 2L in there hurt a 6spd?
Thank you for reading my above novel.....
....
Just this morning it would not go into 6th for a short spell. I got all paranoid and started thinking about it being 100ml-200ml short of oil and what could that possibly do, is the whine a dry 6th gear bearing, is my clutch toasting, slave cyl. etc, etc, etc.??
.....
So has anyone else had a weird episode with 6th gear, did I just have a momentary lapse of how to drive a standard? Will putting a full 2L in there hurt a 6spd?
Thank you for reading my above novel.....
Also, in that first month and the three months later, what kind of mieage (of kilometerage...?) are we talking about, I don't know if your daily commute is just down the street or 1.5hrs each way.
#3
Tour de Franzia
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Check the fill-hole dribble with the car level. My car makes some noise in 4th and 6th where its barely audible. If you have new or stiff poly-mounts anywhere in the car, it will make some noise.
I always slightly over-fill my trans (1/8-1/4q) and rear end because the car spends lots of time with g-loading.
I always slightly over-fill my trans (1/8-1/4q) and rear end because the car spends lots of time with g-loading.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Posts: 1,193
Total Cats: 29
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sorry.
I had 2L in and then drained out some (around 100-350ml) so I could be at 1.9L or 1.7L total still in there. I have driven it about 3000k since then.
Considering our manual trannies are splash lubricated I would assume that it is ok but assumptions can't lubricate metal.
I had 2L in and then drained out some (around 100-350ml) so I could be at 1.9L or 1.7L total still in there. I have driven it about 3000k since then.
Considering our manual trannies are splash lubricated I would assume that it is ok but assumptions can't lubricate metal.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Posts: 1,193
Total Cats: 29
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think I will ramp the front and jack the back until level and check for dribble. That sounds dirty/bad or good, depends. PS I don't wear Depends.
I will then fill until I get a dribble. In a pinch can I use some HDEO or some other product, since I only need maybe 200ml at most if I calculated wrong in the beginning and I am nowhere near a Redline dealer today.
Thanks.
I will then fill until I get a dribble. In a pinch can I use some HDEO or some other product, since I only need maybe 200ml at most if I calculated wrong in the beginning and I am nowhere near a Redline dealer today.
Thanks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stoves
Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain
5
04-21-2016 03:00 PM