Tuneup questions

I'm going to do my 30,000 mile tuneup in the next week or so and have a couple of questions:

1) How important is it to completely flush the radiator? I'd like to replace the fluid, but draining it from the tank isn't enough, is it? I mean, its probably sitting in the engine still. Is there any easy way to flush it out properly at home? Could I run the engine (cold) at idle and dump some distilled water through it with the drain off for a minute or two?

2) What kind of Redline tranny fluid should I get? I've seen posts with MT-90, and some kind of Shockproof type. What should I use (type, etc)?

Thanks.
 
It's always a good idea to flush you system out as best you can. Pick up one of the Prestone quick flush kits. They are less than 5 bucks and make flushing the radiator a simple task. Most Walmarts and Auto Parts chains carry them. Make sure you move the temperature knob to the hot setting so the heater core gets flushed too.

As for Redline fluid, the manual recommends 75w90. Therefore the MT-90 is the correct application. If you are in a colder climate or have notchy shifting, you might want to use the MTL. I ran the MTL with no issues. Another thing that will make your life easier is a fluid transfer pump. It is next to impossible to fit the bottle of lube in the fill hole, so it will work best with a pump.
 
mazdadan,

Thanks for the answers. I've never really done a tuneup before (I've done oil changes and spark plug changes), so this sounds like a great way to get to know my car a little better.

So, I live in southern Wisconsin. Warm summers, Cold winters. I think I should order the MTL then? I already bought a pump after reading a bunch of threads on the issue :). Thanks!

EDIT: Also, from what I've read on here, the fuel filter is best left to a professional, as it is in the tank, correct? Is this something I should worry about for 30,000 miles? Is there any SAFE cleaner I could run to clean the fuel system a bit? Or are additives generally a bad idea? Thanks!

Chris
 
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DooMer_MP3 said:
mazdadan,

Thanks for the answers. I've never really done a tuneup before (I've done oil changes and spark plug changes), so this sounds like a great way to get to know my car a little better.

So, I live in southern Wisconsin. Warm summers, Cold winters. I think I should order the MTL then? I already bought a pump after reading a bunch of threads on the issue :). Thanks!

EDIT: Also, from what I've read on here, the fuel filter is best left to a professional, as it is in the tank, correct? Is this something I should worry about for 30,000 miles? Is there any SAFE cleaner I could run to clean the fuel system a bit? Or are additives generally a bad idea? Thanks!

Chris

Personally in your climate, I would run the MTL. It will make the shifts nice and smooth...especially the 1-2 shift.

As for the fuel filter, I wouldn't mess with it. Yes it is in the tank. Apparently it is designed for an extended service interval. If you are suspect that it is bad, then you could change it. I usually say get a case of STP or really any good brand of fuel injector cleaner and add it about the same time you change your oil.
 
Either one will work just as well. The only benefit is that the MTL will work a little better in colder climates. MTL is 70W80 vs MT90 which is 75W90. If you want to put the same exact stuff in that came from the factory, MT-90 is the correct application.
 
mazdadan,
What about in the summer here though? We get into the 90s easily here. I'm debating between MTL and MT-90... Hmph. Thanks! ;)

Chris
 
I'm using MTL, personally; I live in New Hampshire, and it gets pretty chilly, but more importantly, the car's synchros feel a lot healthier, now. =) It actually removed the 2 to 3 grind I got on occasion.
 
I called Redline home office (in CA?) and they told me they would not suggest MTL for the Protege. It was their "opinion" that we should stick to MT-90 (75w90) unless we were racing. If you want to ask them any other questions, just call the number from their site, there wasn't any wait time...

Just a thought.
(redp5)
(wrc)
 
As a side note, this summer, we got well over 90 degrees, and I had no issues with the MTL. It seemed to perform just as well in the heat as it does in the cool.

As far as using MT-90, I generally try to stick to factory recommendations, but the MTL was an attempt to fix the nasty synchros. Now that they're working perfectly again, I'll switch back to MT-90 on the next change, though. =)
 
so how often are you guys changing the tranny fluid? I realize that it fluxuates (sp?) by application and racing/non-racing but do we have a general guideline? I forgot to ask when I called.

(redp5)
(wrc)
 
I _was_ changing mine every 5k, as it was crudding up really fast when I was commuting to work, and the synchro's would start grinding again every 2500 miles, and it drove me nuts. But I got the Redline, which has been in there 10k, and will probably see another 10k at least before another change.
 
I think the Manual recommends change the gear oil at the first 30,000 miles and then every 15,000 miles after that or something...bare in mind that that would be keeping it on the safe side...I changed my gear oil at about 32,000 miles and was fine...no metal shavings, cloudiness, or off color...Try not to get that s*** on you though...

Also I have been using MT-90 since that last change...no problems at all..I hear a little gear noise, but I believe that was caused by the Kartboy bushing set and the removal of the rubber lined extension on the stock shifter...Nothing abnormal and it is barely noticable...I never had any problems with both the stock gear oil and the Redline where I live...No syncro grinding, and no problems on cold shifting...It gets up to around 100 in the summer and as low as 0 in the winter (not normally but it still happens at least a few times each winter)...
 
DooMer_MP3 said:
mazdadan,
What about in the summer here though? We get into the 90s easily here. I'm debating between MTL and MT-90... Hmph. Thanks! ;)

Chris

We have pretty hot summers here too. The MTL did fine...I also used to run it in my '91 RX-7. I changed it about every 30K or so and it came out looking almost as clean as it did going in.
 
I used Amsoil in mine. I was REAL happy with the results. Just another alternative to Redline. I couldn't find it anywhere around here without ordering it. I needed it ASAP
 
Well, I just did my tuneup. I did everything I mentioned except the radiator flush, because I don't feel like trying to figure out where to dump out gallons of toxic anti-freeze and water. So I'll have to get that done.

Switched to synthetic oil, used stock Mazda NGK plugs, PCV valve, and Redline MTL.

Overall, I don't know if its the synthetic oil (Mobil 1 5w30), tuneup or what, but the engine seems to run a lot smoother (like the day I picked it up from the dealer).

On the Redline MTL, I love it. The shifting is MUCH smoother and flips right into gear on shifts. There is definitely a difference.

So I dont work on my car much, but it was a good learning experience doing this all myself, and saved myself a few hundred bucks. Yay :).

Chris
 

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