It's not that I'm adverse to changing fluids, but after being on here for many years and reading many threads complaining of very foul odors after changing the tranny/diff oils, I'm a bit hesistant to change them. I really dont want to end up with a stinky car. Suggestions? Opinions?

 

that's a new one .
Yes it is important if you want good life from those components . Does not need doing as often as the engine but you should follow the guide in the owners manual all the same .

Oil smells are normally a result of spilling a little oil onto the side of the g/box - completely avoidable .....

 

Brettus,

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/gear-oil-smell-interior-108672/

Post 4, for example.

 

Think maverick just likes "mazdamaniac" sig. haha j.k.

 

Yeah - there has been a few issues with this . For myself , yes , I have had the smell after an oil change . Now that I'm aware of a possible issue I am just very carefull not to spill any oil and if I do i make sure i clean it up . Don't get the smell anymore so ......

 

I had it in my last car after doing so, it was a front wheel drive car as well... i havent done it yet in my 8. sometime soon i will

 

Change it and try not to spill. If you do spill then use varsol on a rag to clean up the spill. I had a tiny smell the first drive (tiny spill, half effort clean up) and no smell after that.

 

thanks snrub, what brand oil did you use? redline? I plan to buy this cheapo hand pump for the job: http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-u...ump-66418.html and I also intend to measure out exactly 1.8L of gear oil so none dribbles out.

 

rdline MT 90 and 75w90

 

u dont need to pump for the tranny at all.

for the rear diff, as long as you know how gravity works u won't need one, ask me how I know

 

hey nycps! long time no speak! Well, i don't want to fill it up through the shift **** because if i spill there, I have a very stinky car! And I'm a spiller.. I just flushed the coolant out today and refilled it with new coolant.. I spilled everywhere... when I opened the engine block drain bolt it hit the stupid frame and splashed everywhere

Nycps, when you replaced your tranny oil, did the car stink? did you also use redline brand?

 

The only thing that smells worse than tranny fluid is a blown tranny.

I've done plenty of transmission oil changes by filling through the shifter and never spilled once. If you're worried then use a funnel and line the outside of the shifter hole with rags.

The Diff tends to be a pain to fill as somehow I always end up spilling.

 

Why make it so complicated..

If your car is level, drain Transmission and or Diff, put drain plug back in after a wipe to get Metal off.

Then FILL Via the Filler Hole after taking the Filler Plug out earlier, You fill until it starts to dribble out externally, then put the Filler Plug in, and wipe off the external drips with a cloth.

No Oil or Any Internal work Inside Cabin is needed at all this way.

No Qualified Techs I have ever worked with in Australia fill via the Gear Stick or from Inside the car...ever.

 

^ Just because you and Mazda doesn't do it doesn't make it bad. It's easier through the shifter.... Obviously if you don't have a lift Mate... Haha

 

Are these guys doing the work on a lift? If so, yeah I agree there is no reason to fill from inside the car.

The only way to get the car level enough for an accurate filling is to have all 4 jack stands under the car. That adds quite a bit of time to the task.

I use the shifter because I can lower the car with the oil pan underneath, fill the tranny and then lift the car to complete the job.

There's nothing scientific about the process. I've never been exact about my fill process or the amount and I've got over 100,000 miles on the factory transmission. I wouldn't make it complex.

 

Yes Service Departments Use lifts...or Pits in olds setups.

I use 4 jack-stands, drain the engine, trans and diff if needed.
And use a hand pump to fill through the 'filler' for trans and diff...

Would never go through the shifter, Yes it is a personal choice, but IMO a hassle and not how I have ever seen it done or recommended for that manner, what if you put too much oil in??...I guess rear Extension Housing seal or front input shaft seals leak does not matter..

Each to their own I guess...

Takes me 5 minutes to put car on 4 stands..

 

Done it, didn't cause any problems.

I certainly wouldn't do it to a customer's car, but with my own RX8 I'm hardly precise and I've had no negative effects as a result.