Manual Transmission Fluid Recommendation

76abriel

76abriel

SCCoA Member
Hello everyone!

I have a 93 sc with a 5 spd manual transmission. It makes a chirping noise when in gear and stops when in neutral. Anyone know what may be causing it? @Supergordo checked it out and recommends a trans flush. Therefore, I was wondering what trans fluid everyone runs/recommends. Thanks in advance!
 
The noise? Do mean in gear moving or stopped in gear( clutch depressed)
If its while moving, could be a u-joint, if while stopped, could be release bearing.
 
Throw out bearing probably, goes away when clutch is in? I’m a huge fan of redline MTL or synchromesh, never tried either in the Mazda trans.
 
I just did mine and I used Royal Purple Max ATF Transmission Fluid and a bottle of Motorcraft Limited-Slip Friction Modifiers XL3. About a thousand miles since the change and it's shifting much smoother.
 
Don’t put friction modifiers in a manual trans. Synchro rely on friction to do their job. You just made it harder for them to do their job.
 
BKB said:
Don’t put friction modifiers in a manual trans. Synchro rely on friction to do their job. You just made it harder for them to do their job.
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I thought the Motorcraft XL3 actually increased the friction coefficent of the oil by changing its shear point when it comes in contact with clutch/pressure plate in a limited slip diff-(to stop chatter) or a cone & blocker ring in a trans syncro unit-causes it to speed up or slow down quicker due to more friction between the 2. Am I wrong? Its actually a Friction "enhancer"
 
Friction modifier reduces friction to stop chatter in the clutches. You might get high RPM clashing or notice nothing at all. No idea how long it lasts.
 
I've heard that royal purple is actually too slippery and therefore is bad for the synchros. I've been running penzoil syncromesh for years, my buddy has had the redline oil in his for years with no issues. No friction modifier in either one.
 
AdamG said:
I've heard that royal purple is actually too slippery and therefore is bad for the synchros. I've been running penzoil syncromesh for years, my buddy has had the redline oil in his for years with no issues. No friction modifier in either one.
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Would the Pen work in an '89 5 speed as well? Just wondering, just got an '89 a couple weeks ago and think it would be a good thing to change out as not knowing how long the fluid has been in it.
 
My factory shop manual calls out Mercon ll, (Dexron ll) ATF. Dexron lll is still available, and is compatible with Dex ll. The famous Borg Warner T-5, also uses Dex lll, and many other manual transmissions, and transfer cases, also used Dex lll, as a factory fill. My only confusion was that my owners, and shop manual, both spec. a refill capacity of 3 liters, of Dex ll, (or equivalent). The transmission disassembly/assembly section reads, and I quote, "After transmission is installed, add five ounces of Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A, and fill to a total of three liters with Dexron ll transmission fluid, or equivalent." This is from my 1990 FMS. C8AZ-19B546-A, is Motorcraft XL3. Do later specs not require XL3? Did they find it wasn't necessary, or that the syncro material was changed? I recently changed my trans fluid, when I did my clutch. I filled it with Valvoline Dex lll ATF only. Seemed ok, but 3rd gear was a bit notchy. I then added a bottle of XL3. Felt better, but when you put the window down, you could really smell it. I repaired the lower shift boot, so it's ok now.
 
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