In the process of changing the transmission oil (Redline MT-90) in my '94 over the weekend, I discovered, much to my dismay, that it would only take a little more than 1.5 qts. before the oil started running out of the fill hole.

I followed the draining and filling procedures exactly as outlined in the Mazda service manual on a level surface. Just to be sure, I took the car to my mechanic and put it up on a lift. Before we could even get the fill plug all of the way out, the oil started running out. Shifting is easier than before the oil change and there are no strange noises, etc. coming from the transmission. Has anyone had a similar experience? Any comments or suggestions would be welcomed.

 

How many drain plugs did you undo? i undid 2 square drain plugs and the fill plug...

 

are you sure you pulled the right plug?

 

You didnt pull the right plug!

It has to hold 2.5q

 

There are two drain plugs - a square one (pipe-looking stopper) and the one on the bottom of the tranny cover. It should take 2.6 qts.

Change your diff oil, too. One drain plug, 1.4 qts. The diff oil is usually uglier than the tranny oil.

-Max

 

First I removed the fill plug (square head), then I removed the large drain plug on the bottom of the tranny (A), and then I removed the smaller drain plug (B, also with a square head). I let the gear oil drain overnight. I referred to my Mazda workshop manual and even downloaded a picture from this forum that shows the plugs in question which need to be removed.

My mechanic told me that when he performs this job he fills the tranny from the "torx type" plug and stops when the oil starts running out of the fill plug illustrated in the Mazda workshop manual. So he removes a total of four plugs.

Obviously something is not right so I will drain the tranny and start the process all over again. And if I figure out what went wrong I'll be sure to confess my sin(s).