Tranny Fluid Replacement - Anyone know how to do it?

[jsesq]

Just wanted some help with locations of drain and filler holes and any tips for doing the job.

Thanks!!

 

[Hawkeye]

The drain is on the very bottom of the tranny and it's a 23mm plug. The fill hole is above that, sloped at a downward angle. Simply remove the plug on the bottom of the tranny with a 23 mm socket, let it all drain. Remove the fill plug to make it drain faster. Once it's all drained out, replace the drain plug. Don't forget the metal gasket.

To fill it, either get a really, really long funnel (what I did), or use a fluid pump meant for this type of job. Anyway, the P5 takes 2.9 quarts of fluid (75w90 I believe). I used Mobil1 and noticed a small difference in smoothness. Worth the $$$, IMO.

Let me know if you need pics of the plugs so you can locate them.

 

[jsesq]

I have an RX-7 as well - pursuant to the instructions for filling the transmission on the RX-7, it is filled to the bottom of the filler hole - in other words: fill it until it starts to pour out of the fill hole (assuming the car is level).

Would this be the same for the MP3?

 

[Kooldino]

The drain is on the very bottom of the tranny and it's a 23mm plug. The fill hole is above that, sloped at a downward angle. Simply remove the plug on the bottom of the tranny with a 23 mm socket, let it all drain. Remove the fill plug to make it drain faster. Once it's all drained out, replace the drain plug. Don't forget the metal gasket.

To fill it, either get a really, really long funnel (what I did), or use a fluid pump meant for this type of job. Anyway, the P5 takes 2.9 quarts of fluid (75w90 I believe). I used Mobil1 and noticed a small difference in smoothness. Worth the $$$, IMO.

Let me know if you need pics of the plugs so you can locate them.

Post pics if you can!

 

[blynzoo]

I have an RX-7 as well - pursuant to the instructions for filling the transmission on the RX-7, it is filled to the bottom of the filler hole - in other words: fill it until it starts to pour out of the fill hole (assuming the car is level).

Would this be the same for the MP3?

lol, it'd be hard to fill it above the fill hole, unless you know something about gravity I dont...
So yeah, it's to the fill hole. And I've used a ordinary cone filter with a two foot tube, cost me .89 at autozone.

 

[blynzoo]

Interesting side note: A friend of mine builds old race cars..for real, no kits. His DAILY DRIVER is a 1954 mustang roadster (convertible, of course). All original, except for a chevy water pump and some other minor stuff. The drain on the tranny looks like a tea faucet/spigot...funny enough in itself, british car and all. But the fill line is one quart below the drain line. So every time you check the level of fluid, you have to add one quart (assuming it was right in the first place). This was a foolproof system so you couldnt overfill it with fluid.
How to change the oil in a 1954 Jag inline 6:
1. Open drain.
2. If any fluid comes out, close drain and add 1 quart, the fluid is full, you're done.
3. If no fluid comes out, add one quart.
4. Go back to step 1.

Ass backwards, but completely foolproof.

 

[jsesq]

lol, it'd be hard to fill it above the fill hole, unless you know something about gravity I dont...

Well of course I realize you couldn't fill it higher than the fill hole - but I was afaid that filling it up to the fill hole hole might be too much fluid.

 

[MPChi]

Hawkeye, or anybody else,

Please post some pics. I have never change transmission fluid myself, but would love to learn how, especially when it may help saving my MP3 tranny from breaking down.

Are there any things that we need to be aware of in regards what specific kind of fluids would be good for our tranny?

Thanks guys.

 

[AZxMP3]

It is also possible that you will have to fill it through the dipstick chute. Jeeps require you to fill them through the dipstick chute. If you do this have the engine running, using a cone slowly pour the fluid into the cone and down the chute. Check our owners manual about transmission fluid, or call your Mazda dealer.

 

[Hawkeye]

the dipstick chute is for AT's. The MT's are sealed. Therefore, you have to fill it through the fill hole.

 

[AZxMP3]

LOL Hawkeye you are right.... Sometimes I forget we have a manual transmission. (stupid) And let this be a lesson to you all to think before you post... especially when you know the answer but have one of those brain drain days ..... Thanks Hawkeye(drinks)

 

[Hawkeye]

Alrighty guys, I lost the pics that I had before of the fill and drain holes. Therefore, I'm going to put the car up on ramps and snap some new ones. I'll have them up by this afternoon.

 

[Hawkeye]

well, I didn't have time to put the car up on ramps yesterday, therefore no pics yet. However, I did find another thread that does have them.

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6120&highlight=transmission+fluid

I still plan to have the car up on ramps this week though to install my bronzoil bushings, so I will snap a few other pics at that time.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I think it would be wise to open the fill hole FIRST. Why?

A) If you can't get the fill plug off (rusted on etc), you won't be able to put any fluid back in.

B) It aids in letting the fluid out faster.

Chris

 

[walight01]

you open the first hole first so air can get into the tranny to push the old fluid out, if you don't do this, imagine tring to dump a 2liter drink out and how it goes everywhere and not just flow out like your engine oil does.