I'm starting to hate my car. Tranny problems

tool_girl6597 · Post by **tool_girl6597** » February 18th, 2005, 5:01 am

So I'm driving the other night and my tranny pops out of 5th gear while I was doing the speed limit not accelerating. I thought it was weird but didn't really think anything of it. And tonight on my way home it popped out so many times I drove home in 4th. I couldn't even hold it in 5th gear...please someone tell me wtf causes this. Need a new tranny or fixable? 133,000 miles on the car. I'm starting to think the only way this car could be worse is if I walked outside and it had multiplied into 4 cars with the same problems

tool_girl6597 · Post by **tool_girl6597** » February 18th, 2005, 5:04 am

PLease don't tell me to search cause I searched and read everything on here about 4-cylinder trannys. I'm really at Whit's end. Don't get me wrong...I love a project car...but not one where 5 new things break a day.

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » February 18th, 2005, 5:10 am

Well there are a couple of things that come to mind.. but probably the most likely is that the synchros are shot in the trans.. rebuild or replace.. however.. I am new to MX-3's as well and though that is a typical manual trans issue with higher mileage units.. there may be some other more obscure reason for that behavior that I am not aware of. Fortunately.. the manual trans for these cars appear to be plentiful and easy to locate cheap.. heck I even know of a 5 speed in a junk yard 10 minutes from me. One thing I have noted with my MX-3 and with a lot of these smaller cars.. original owners didnt usually take very good care of them

Tunes67

93SOHC · Post by **93SOHC** » February 18th, 2005, 1:43 pm

its the synchro's, I had this problem on my 94 escort, and have answered this ? before one these forums, so I guess you must have missed it in your searches. The trannys are cheap as hell and only take about a day to put in...EASY

JWMotorsports · Post by **JWMotorsports** » February 18th, 2005, 8:00 pm

I've got SOHC 5-speed trannies laying around, both with broken diff's or spyder gears (I haven't tore them apart to look). If you need parts let me know, I'll hook you up CHEAP just to get rid of them. I've been running the Pro-LX drive train for a long time now and am about to see what it's limits are w/ mods. Any way, let me know if you need any parts for your SOHC....I've got those two trannies for parts and the old SOHC engine chillin in a barn. The motor would be fine if rebuilt, it's been setting on a dirt floor. Also the oil pan has a return for a turbo (I was using it on the B6T).

jaydog5678 · Post by **jaydog5678** » February 19th, 2005, 12:12 am

tool_girl6597 wrote:So I'm driving the other night and my tranny pops out of 5th gear while I was doing the speed limit not accelerating. I thought it was weird but didn't really think anything of it. And tonight on my way home it popped out so many times I drove home in 4th. I couldn't even hold it in 5th gear...please someone tell me wtf causes this. Need a new tranny or fixable? 133,000 miles on the car. I'm starting to think the only way this car could be worse is if I walked outside and it had multiplied into 4 cars with the same problems

I had the same problem while driving on the highway yrs ago..

Check the fluid level in the gearbox. If it's dry, no fluid can reach the primary and secondary 5th gear making it easy to pop out. Fluid travels through a funnel like shaped piece to lubricate this end of the casing. 5th gear is housed behind the steel cover in your trans. If this is not the case and your fluid is fine, then start thinking about another gearbox. Usually if it's low you can re-fill it and just check for leaks. Likely places it would leak the most are through the axle seals, the seal near the shift rod, or possibly worse, a cracked casing. Hope that helps.

tool_girl6597 · Post by **tool_girl6597** » February 19th, 2005, 3:04 pm

someone else said adjuster pins somewhere? If I take off the rubber boot on the shifter?

hgallegos915 · Post by **hgallegos915** » February 20th, 2005, 3:38 am

BEFORE you take it to the shop..please check your fluid.... manual trannys do that when they dont have fluid... 5th gear pops out. So the tranny can still be good.

92GS_STL_MO · Post by **92GS_STL_MO** » February 20th, 2005, 3:59 am

definately check the fluid levels first, use QUALITY fluids in your engine/tranny. I had the same problem once on a manual tranny that had 210,xxx miles on it and after topping off the gear oil it was back to good as gold, the kid who bought the car is still giving it he11 as far as I know (I think that tranny has like 240 or 250,xxx now lol wish all my trannys would last that long...or longer) sometimes the most simple explination can be the answer, we usually get so scared or worried about the "worst case scenario" that we go through all the headaches of worry without cause.
oh BTW make sure you fill it on a LEVEL surface, thats how mine was cheated enough gear lube to cause the problem, car was at a downward angle when I filled it/thought I filled it (laughing at self)
just my nickles worth

tool_girl6597 · Post by **tool_girl6597** » February 20th, 2005, 2:47 pm

Update on the tranny problem...Called the mechanic that did the clutch and half shafts and asked him if he knew where the fill plug was on my car. He said "Oh yeah...I forgot to refill the grease" !!! So most likely you guys solved my problem. You have no idea how greatful I am to all of you that responded!!

But another question...where's the fill plug?!?!? Found the drain plug, and looked all over top,bottom and sides for the fill plug. Is it some invisable device that I'm not seeing?

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » February 20th, 2005, 2:54 pm

From what I have read here in these forums.. the gear oil fill is where the speedometer cable connects to the trans.. uplug the cable, remove the gear.. add your gear oil, replace the gear and connect the cable. Hope this helps. Also might want to check the online shop manual.. it might show you as well.

Tunes67

JWMotorsports · Post by **JWMotorsports** » February 21st, 2005, 6:11 am

That is correct, there is a single 10mm bolt that holds the speedo gear in the top of the tranny near the firewall. Remove the bolt and simply pull the entire gear assembly out (it stays in one piece). The speed gear is your dip stick for checking the fluid level. You have to stick the speedo gear back in and pull it out, immediately look at the gear. It should be covered in tranny fluid, if not add more fluid. I'd recommend using Red Line MT-90 (3QT's) and Red Line Heavy Duty Shock proof (1QT). It will take roughly 4qt's total to fill your gear box if empty. You can order it from Jegs or Summit Racing @ around $8 a quart.

tool_girl6597 · Post by **tool_girl6597** » February 21st, 2005, 11:04 pm

Thanks to all that helped me with this. I spent 5 hours at different places from Jiffy Lube to Mazda to BP Pro care to find just 1 person that could fill my tranny up. They either wouldn't touch it cause of the gear or wanted to charge 50$ to do it. I finally found a kick a$$ garage that did it for 10$.So hopefully no more tranny problems...shifts much smoother now. He said it was a quart and a half low. Go figure...all that for tranny fluid. Anyhow...tomorrow's the big day for the exaust and brakes. Found a nice engine/tranny/turbo too. I'm thinking about getting the engine asap and just doing it now. Was going to wait till I fixed the dents and got some wheels but I just really don't care about how it looks. As long as I get it painted before next winter I'll be fine. (Scratches on the roof are to the metal) So anyway...thanks so very much for making my week!

Did not want to buy a tranny this week lmao

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » February 21st, 2005, 11:11 pm

Glad its working out for you

Tunes67

Grants · Post by **Grants** » February 21st, 2005, 11:24 pm

So you don't hate the car anymore???

MX-3.com

I'm starting to hate my car. Tranny problems

I'm starting to hate my car. Tranny problems

P.S

Re: I'm starting to hate my car. Tranny problems

UPDATE!

You guys rock