Hello all. Name is Les. I have a 2008 MS3, Mazda cold air induction and cat back exhaust.....all else is standard. Glad to be on board! Couple of questions....1) re my MS3, when stone cold, the change from 1st to 2nd is crunchy. Feels like the synchro is screwed. When it's warmed up the change seems ok. Also, trying to engage 1st gear while car is moving (no matter how slowly) again, crunchy. Car has only done about 7500 miles and I've owned it from new. Dealer says it all sounds/feels ok to them. Anyone else have this problem??...........2) my neighbor has an '04 M3. He says the "flutter valve" is shot and Mazda tell him it has to have a new inlet manifold because the valve is part of the manifold. Cost is huge! Anyoen any comments please?
New guy on board
- Thread starter LHMS3
- Start date
oaklandopen
Member
answers:
1)normal with OEM tranny fluid
2)m3=mazda3? normallly the mazda3 is specified as "MZ3"...."M3" is reserved for the bimmer as that is the original term "M3".
other than that....what cai and cbe do you have?
1)normal with OEM tranny fluid
2)m3=mazda3? normallly the mazda3 is specified as "MZ3"...."M3" is reserved for the bimmer as that is the original term "M3".
other than that....what cai and cbe do you have?
Thanks. I figured seing as I was on the Mazda list, M3 might have been enough........anyway, it's an '04 MZ3.
Also........"what cai and cbe do you have?"........sorry, don't know what this means.
You mentioned the OEM trans fluid causing the problem........what other fluid do you guys use that makes everything ok?
Also........"what cai and cbe do you have?"........sorry, don't know what this means.
You mentioned the OEM trans fluid causing the problem........what other fluid do you guys use that makes everything ok?
BigDaddyMS3
Member
- :
- Mazda, Speed3
Tranny fluid
Motorcraft XTM5QS, 75W90 @ $20 per quart at any Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Others use Redline. I also use the JBarone SSP, (short shift plate). He is both a member and sponsor on this forum and I recommend his add-on.
Motorcraft XTM5QS, 75W90 @ $20 per quart at any Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Others use Redline. I also use the JBarone SSP, (short shift plate). He is both a member and sponsor on this forum and I recommend his add-on.
BigDaddyMS3
Member
- :
- Mazda, Speed3
I also use the JBarone SSP, (short shift plate).
I've been lookin at the Custom Performance short shifter.......anyone have any experience of this?
http://www.cp-e.com/2049.html
I've been lookin at the Custom Performance short shifter.......anyone have any experience of this?
http://www.cp-e.com/2049.html
RMM = Rear Motor Mount
coololddude
Member
The MS3 Trans was built by Ford!!
Fast acceleration or any driving where you get on and off the throttle in a hurry will cause the engine will jump around the engine bay like a jack rabbit. The first revision of the MS3 had some issues where the mount was so soft that people were dropping engines. The current mount is still soft and that's why there are solid aluminum replacements.
I can live with the soft mount for the time being. Not 100% sure if a new mount will fix the 2-3 shift for good, but I'd rather live without the increased vibration felt at lower RPMs.
Easy enough "mod" for me to try out. Shifter bushings feel much better and swapping tranny fluid may be something I do at my next oil change. Thanks.
So why does the problem only appear to be in 1st and 2nd gears, and only when cold.....at least on my car????
Excellent, I'll try it......appreciate it!
Think the fluid just needed to warm up a bit. I have the same issue and I've talked to some friends with BMWs and it was the same story. The motorcraft stuff sounds like a good investment.
If you haven't already, I recommend shifter bushings. I feel much more comfortable and confident with shifting after installing mine. Engaging gears ian't as vague and it just feels more connected without the stock rubber bushings.
