RX7Club.com - Mazda RX7 Forum - RX7 FD3S Diff and Transmission oil change

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RX7 FD3S Diff and Transmission oil change

Morning guys,

Looking to do a oil change on both the transmission and diff on my FD3S this Thur. Not MOT or Tax (project car) so figured since its on 4 jack stands, and level. (no wheels) run car in first gear for 5 minutes and drop the oil. Guessing its a lower drain plug, then fill from the one above.

2 x TRIPLE QX Transmission Oil (75W90 Semi Syn 1 Litre) for Transmission
2 x TRIPLE QX Transmission Oil (EP90 Transmission Fluid 1 Litre) for the Diff

This is not a race car, so not wanting to buy expensive oil, just a commuter.

Any advice would be great, any strange socket sizes, will i need replacement washers (if so what size) and will i need thread tape to seal it up.

Looked around and very messy, most end up talking about car ramps or upgrades and get of topic.

Running the car in gear with no load for a few minutes won’t help anything IMO. If it’s on stands, stable and level just go ahead and do the service. Open the fill plugs first, then BOTH drains on the transmission. Here in the U.S. most of the chain parts stores carry the inexpensive gear oil pumps that just screw onto the containers the oil comes in. And you’ll need 2.5 liters for the transmission. Can’t remember off-hand how much for the differential but I think it’s more than 1 liter. Check the FSM.

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...psweredwzd.png

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...pscede246e.jpg

One fill plug (A), two drain plugs (B) and (C). Seems like guys want to mess with the hex socket plug or one of the bolts pictured. Don’t be one of those guys. ;) IIRC that big drain plug (C) and the diff drain plug both have magnets. Some fine grayish powder is common. Just wipe them clean. Actual visible shrapnel is not and usually an indication of a problem.
Oh, and don’t over-tighten the fill plug. I’ve seen them almost screwed thru the transmission case. It’s pipe thread. Just a little Teflon tape or paste and snug it up. Same with drain plug (B).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgtblue (Post 12307678)

Running the car in gear with no load for a few minutes won’t help anything IMO.

Thank you for that, very detailed, Didn't know it had two drain plugs. Ill not start her them, ill just drain and replace. I have a draper pump that i purchased for doing the diff and transmission on my D40.

Assuming the rear only has one drain and the fill on the top. Will get 3 litres of transmission and 2 for rear diff. Ill use some telflon tape on the drain plugs and should be good to go.

Only last question, is the oils i am using ok. Not sure if it should be semi or fully Syn for the transmission.

I’m not sure the ratings are the same there, but if they meet what is required in YOUR FSM they’re fine. Here that’s GL-4 or 5. Full synthetic is fine too, as long as it meets standards. Just check the container. If the store carries replacement washers for the plugs great. But I have re-used then without issue.
The only other thing I can think of is to wear old cloths. Gear oil stinks and doesn’t wash out.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...psrttjmm76.png[/UR

I run Neo 75W90 HD gear oil in my daily driven FD. Gear engages noticeably smooth. I've been using it for decades. One jug fills both transmission and diff. Here's a old thread comparing Neo and Redline. https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...rience-371203/

There's two drain plugs on the transmission. Here's a youtube video that may help

here's the FSM page from another thread on the forum
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7d93c23568.jpg

Remember to remove the fill plug first and then the drain. No fun to have a stuck fill plug after draining all the oil out.

I’ve tried both Neo 75W90 and Redline MT stuff. None compare to Amsoil MTG. Amsoil MTG is rated for yellow metal gears and has worked far better for me than the alternatives.

Matt

^Interesting. I’ve also used Redline and currently NEO. And IIRC, Mobil1 way back when I first bought the car. No real complaints with any of them but a change is on the winter list of ‘to do’ items. Maybe I’ll try Amsoil. What do you run in the diff?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgtblue (Post 12309092)

Amsoil severe gear 75w90 in the differential.

I found that the Neo felt good initially, but would degrade quickly. The Amsoil felt good hot and cold, and retained its “feel good” for a lot longer.

Matt