transmission fluid...
 

just picked up my s14 and noticed that fourth grinds downshifting. not as bad as grinding, but more like catching a little. trying to rule out the option of cracking open the tranny and replacing syncros ($$$) so my questions are:

should i change it because of the little catch or is it not a big deal and i should just keep on driving? i have heard for some cars, you shouldn't prematurely change it unless you have EEERRRRTT!

how often do you guys/gals change your tranny fluid?

what brand type has the best results with this community?
(e.g. redline, etc.) know for mr2s GM syncromesh was a favorite.

write-ups? saw one last night, but it was so late, don't remember where i saw it.

thank you for any help

Change your fluid. Since you dont know how long it has been since its last change. I use mobil 1 synthetic 75W-90.

It depends on how hard you drive. I say every 3-4 months.

man, landho, you are the only one responding to my posts! you da man! yeah, i know...i should really use the search more often...

Quick question - you think Redline is worth the $? Or is Mobil 1 Synthetic the "best buy"?

is Mobil 1 Synthetic GL-4 ?

WTF it says Mobil 1 is GL-5 ????

Go Mobil Synthetic, with that you cant go wrong.

Mobil 1 is GL-5, our trannies are supposed to use GL-4; GL-5 I was told messes up the synchros even more

hmmmm

I bit the bullet and bought redline MTL from a local speed shop for like $46 after tax. I figure $50 is a worthwhile investment for my transmission. I have yet to put it in tho, but I'll likely do that tomorrow.

Not to burst your bubble, but I was about to buy the same (MTL) until I started looking at viscosity numbers - the MTL is listed at 75w80w API Gl-3 and GL-4. Redline MT-90 is listed at 75w90 API GL-4. The FSM specifies 75w90, and Redline Oil instructs to use MT-90 for transmissions that require an API GL-4 90.

I'm going for the MT-90... hope you didn't crack open a bottle yet... maybe you can switch for MT-90.

BTW how much oil did you buy? Our cars only need about 2.6 quarts, and I've seen 1 quart bottles of both MTL & MT-90 go for ave. $9 a bottle ($7.00 if you shop around)

It doesnt mess up the syncros its that the viscosity is not that of a GL-4. So it may feel that the gear does not want to go in. That only applys to the synthetic GL-5 not the organic.

Hm. Good to know. I'm currently running Coastal 75w90 non synthetic gl-3 gl-4 and gl-5 rated oil in my trans. The shop manual I own tells me to not use synthetic so i do an oil change with that. Then later on i read more positive notes on MTL in spite of the slight viscocity difference and decided to try it out.

I was near the only place i knew of that sold it, the car was in the garage at home undergoing repainting the front bumper, so it was kind of "might as well". they charged me $46 for 4 quarts of it.

turns out the drain plug wont budge, even with my foot on a breaker bar, which is strange considering it gave us this trouble 4 months ago and i didnt go crazy tight when i put it back in. ufck it for now. i get to drive it again and shifting's not really bad.


I still feel that I should get the only non-synthetic oil i could find out of the transmission though. I could trade the MTL for 90 im sure of that but now my dad wants it for his Healey and he's helped me a lot so...

so either redline mt90 or mobil synthetic 75w90? as long as it's not GL-5? that pretty much sums it up for the two tranny fluid threads right? or is there more?...

is there some kind of visual for the drain plug? and when you fill it, just pour into the shifter hole? thinking about doing it very soon.

Well, like I said above - the FSM specifies 75w90 GL-4, so stick to those numbers and you shouldn't have any problem. You might want to vary the viscosity a little depending on conditions, but you shouldn't go GL-5 (especially synthetic) if the manufacturer specifically states GL-4.

With that said, I'm probably going for MT-90. You decide what's good for your car :)