olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Good advice Charles.. At times --when cool -- i actually bring back the art of double clutching. I am about to try the Redline Heavy shockproof oil. That may help with the little whine i have in the lower gears. Trans is fine-- i am just playing.
OD

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

well i put it in and it is really thick stuff-- car does shift better, whine is about the same.
I dont know about this stuff. Seems too thick for me. I may swap back. I ill run it for a week and see.
olddragger

Jax_RX8

Try the BG Syncroshift II - I tell you it is good stuff as I have very smooth shifts and almost no whine anymore.

Punksux

I just got called up by the mechanic. Since I use Redline fluids, the first answer was that it was the redline fluid. They suggested to change the fluid to a Mazda certified fluid first and see if the problem continues. If it does, then it would be feasible to crack it open.

Cool thing was the service guy even asked me if I have read anything on this forum about this, and some of the procedures that some other dealers have done. Since they have not had any complaints about this here in albany for this issue.

Punksux

update: So my service guy was able to call up mazda tech line about the concern. Mazda told them that it is a reported concern and to use a mixture of 90 weight and dextron 3. Which I was surprise since dextron 3 is an automatic fluid. I do not know the ratios or what company oil they are using but I will try and find out.

They verified that the Redline fluid was not a problem (meaning that if it was a problem then it should have been faulty in warm weather) since my car has been reported using it and never had a problem with it before. They confirmed that this was due to cold weather.

Next step is to drive it around town and see if the problem persist.

Shamblerock

Punksux, keep me posted on any developments on your end because I am going nowhere with Mazda Canada. I have to know follow the advise provided below of double clutching or simply taking a pause of a second or so in between moving the lever from 1st to 2nd for the first 10-15minutes of driving. Its a bugger to get used to. I still don't think I should have to do that.

Punksux

Well this new concoction of fluid seems to being working out better than the redline for winter purposes. The change in gears seems to be much better, as grinding is not bad. There is still a little hesitation with the gear changing, but no grinding.

Shamblerock: The dealer was very helpful with this situation as he was open to any suggestions that where out there on this forum. It resulted with just the technician talking to the mazda hotline and them telling the mechanic to use the mixture of 75w90 and dextron 3. The great thing about it too is that it is warranty work and I did not have to pay for it and got a rental. (Orange Mazda in Albany)

Shamble, when you took your car to the dealer did you leave it overnight? I left mine over night and let one of the mechanics take it for a spin in the morning knowing that the car would be cold. Also thats how i got my rental too.

I am still confused as to why the redline was performing so bad in the winter, since I used it last winter and did not have this problem.

Shamblerock

PUnksux, I left the car overnight not once but 3 times so other "master mechanics" could opine on what the problem is. I had a rental at their expense for like 4 days. Aparently, the master mechaninc and service manager told Mazda Canada that there was absolutely a problem, but Mazda said it was normal and for the customer, me, to go suck someone's d--k. The dealer said that if they opened the tranny, Mazda was not going to compensate them and they would be out of pocket. Needless to say, the last Mazda I'll buy. I think I'm going to make a little video for Mazda canada so they can hear and see for themselves and if that doesn't work, then I'll share the video with all the other car dealers for kicks. Probably will put it on youtube too. Why not!

imrtommy

can anyone help me with this problem? major rattles in 2-4-6 and also when i floor it to above 9000 rpm and try to shift to second it grinds really hard.

Punksux

Shamble that sucks..... The only thing I can say is that my dealer has been very helpful and willing to listen to other ways to find a solution if Mazda has not stated it.

By any chance did you ask them about changing the fluids to a mixture that I have. Perhaps it is something really new that just been posted? I do not see why Canada will not have the same maintanence. The only other thing I can say is write or call up about your concerns to mazda north america.

The mixture definitely helped for the cold shifts. I hope it will also hold up in the summer time though. I may switch it out and put in Royal purple.

Edit: It seems like you have been talking to mazda north america already

Shamblerock

No I haven't asked about the mixture you have. Mt situation took place before I read your post. But as usual, Charles Hill has the most logical explanation, again. (See a few posts down). Its the only thing that makes logical sense that I have trouble when its cold and no issues once everything is nice and warmed up.

Charles, your feedback, experience and way you explain yourself is first rate.

Cheers

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Sham, thanks again for the props. I am beginning to think that synthetic fluid, itself, is the real problem. Maybe it is all of the clinging-type by design and therein lies the problem(s). There seem to be two problems with these transmissions that are running parallel; 1) The shifting issue as discussed here and, 2) fluid smell in the interior after draining and re-filling. I used to use B+M manual trans fluid, after trying Royal Purple, and found it to exhibit neither of these problems. Since it is no longer offered by B+M I switched to Mobil1 synthetic and, voila, the smell and stiff shifting in the cold came back. The smell came back after driving on the freeway for about 20 minutes so I am becoming convinced that the clinging fluids cause issues with the flow of fluid through/around the case of the transmission. The factory fluid flows like a 0 or 5 weight when it is warm so I would imagine the flow channels in the tranny are designed around that weight.

savedsol

Well damn. I just bought an 04 with 29K miles 7 days ago and I'm having a bitch of a time shifting into 2nd at high RPMs - consistently. Guess she'll go into the dealer. Can anyone think of a reason this wouldn't be warrantied (I'm still covered)? Charles I'll check those spot welds too.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Whatever you do keep in mind that Mazda seems just as puzzled as the rest of us regarding most of the issues we discuss here. I would emphatically say that your chances of finding answers are better by involving yourself in this website rather than hanging around at the dealership. Actually, the dealerships are starting to recognize that we here are way ahead of the curve regarding discovering new issues and solutions.

Punksux

I agree with Charles. I know my dealership has been open minded about the situation and they are willing to hear any outside solutions to try and better the situation.

skwidd

I'm joining the club. Earlier this week (monday) I was driving in 3rd gear and couldn't get the car out of 3rd. I thought it was odd, so I tried again and it came out no problem. However, I couldn't get back into 3rd gear. So I came to a stoplight and ran the shifter through all of the gears and everything was fine.

Tonight, after a day of running errands and going out to eat with the family, I stop at the grocery, get supplies (making gumbo tomorrow), and then, on the way home from the grocery, I cannot get the car into 3rd gear. I thought it was odd since I had just shifted it into 3rd gear 2x previously on the way home from the grocery.

I managed to get green lights the rest of the way home, so I couldn't stop and run the gears like I did previously.

In front of the house, I come to a complete stop and try to run the gears. 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and reverse all work fine...no grinding, no resistance, nothing. Smooth. 3rd, however, refuses to engage. I cannot even push the stick shift into the 3rd gear position.

I turn the car off and ran the gears again. Still no luck with 3rd gear. I'm pretty confused at this point. I figure the best thing to do now is go about 20mph, and rev match (20mph = 2K RPM). Again, 3rd gear will not engage and I am unable to push the stick shift into the 3rd gear position. All other gears are fine, including reverse.

I have 35.1K miles on it, so we'll see what the dealer has to say on monday.

Gauge

I just bought my car used, its a 04' and just hit the 11,000 mile mark this week, Im starting to have lots of difficulty shifting into 2nd gear like it doesnt want to go, sometimes itll be fine though. Thinking about having it checked out . I also hear a knocking sound shifting to third sometimes..dunno what this could be ...

skwidd

UPDATE!

This morning I had to run an errand, and figured I'd just avoid 3rd gear. About 2 miles away from my house the whole transmission went out. I cound no longer put the car in gear.

Luckily, I was a very short distance away from a dealership, so I managed to get the car into 4th and left it in the service driveway at the dealership. I'll have to see what the dealership says tomorrow. And I need a loaner/rental. ugh.

edit:

And this really confuses me. Prior to the transmission going out, there was no grinding. I did have occasional 1-2 grinding and sometimes grinding when downshifting from 3-2, but otherwise there was no grinding whatsoever in gears 1, 3-6 and reverse.

I'll follow-up when I get more info from the dealership.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I am waiting for that to happen but since we have a local forum as well with a growing membership I don't think I will be as shocked. Still entertaining to be recognized with such awe.

StuttgartRX8

I got my car back last month and got all the problems fixed and now I'm having a problem shifting to 5th.

And Sometimes when city driving when shifting to third it won't go into gear or even back in the last gear your were in for a couple of seconds. It's like it gets stuck in between the gears and won't move.

The car is scheduled to go into get fixed on the 19th of March so hopefully they get it all fixed or I'm trading the car in for a new STi and taking the hit.

gjase

the clutch on my 04 went out at 9900 miles.. just fell apart when driving off the exit ramp.. i rammed it into 3rd for a mile.. went in circles with the dealer and MNA who kept saying abuse.. even though I had bought two new manual miatas from the dealership over the past 13 years and driven them with no problems and knew the sales manager well at the dealership. I had another transmission place put in an ACT clutch and replace the 2nd gear synchro which was about shot at 9900 miles.. all has been well, its been a year now since that work was done (now at 26kmiles), and my 2nd gear synchro is starting to get weak again.. it clumps when cold (does fine when warmed up), and now my 5th gear is gone.. it doesnt seem like a synchro, as it will shift fine 1 out of 10 tries probably, but the other 9 tries, it goes into gear fine, but when you let up on the clutch, it pops out and sits up against the gear grinding until you pull it away. just pops it out.. 5th gear isnt crucial, ive just been goin from 4th to 6th, and slowing down if needing to go from 6th to 4th to compensate, and ive gotton used to it.. 5ths been shot since christmas.. im looking/researching several non-mazda vendors to perhaps replace the 2nd synchro and check into 5th gear prob. Other than that, I LOVE MY 8!! .. and besides a cat replacement a couple of weeks ago under warranty, the car has been great.

StuttgartRX8

I got my RX8 back today from Mazda and the problem is fixed. They took blame for the problem it happened when they stuck the tranny back together the shift pattern was misaligned and that was causing the problem.

It's time to get the car ready for the Nurburgring and hopefully some lower times this year.

Xantium

To continue my saga... i shifted into second at about 3k rpms.. big mistake aparently. The entire transmission exploded. They took it apart at mazda and dont even want to rebuild it its so bad. They are waiting for mazda to ok a straight replacement.

The interesting thing is I took the car in last week becuase something in the linkage didn't feel right... of course they said everything was just fine.

The friggen cars have trannys made of glass!!!

Does anyone still remember what the old clutch tsb said. It told you how to clean the old release cylinder... the new one tells you to replace it. Seeing as my dealer refuses to do the clutch recall I just want to go ahead and do it myself before I **** up a third transmission. And please dont tell me to bring it somewhere else.. tried that.. ive literally brought it in 3-4 times with that clutch recall printed out and taped to the steering wheel. I always get it back with a "clutch operation feels normal" note.