Manual Transmission Fluid

[QuickClipse2]

How do i check the level of and locate my tranmission fluid. I dont know where it is on my 2G GST. I'm going to put some hi performance Lucus heavy duty oil Stabalizer in it today to see if it makes any difference and need some assistance. A pic would suffice.

[sonicnofadz]

Buy a haynes manual, if you own a DSM, chances are your going to need it =) There should be a filling bolt on the aluminum case where you can just stick your finger in and the fluid level should as high as that hole (if you cant feel any then pour some more into that hole until it starts to leak out).

[jt1583]

the transaxle and transfer case are two different things. there should be a check plug and drain plug if its like most cars. The highest one is the check plug. Take it out and the fluid level should be even with the hole, meaning if you stick your finger in you should get some fluid on your finger. If you dont, you need to add some. I would first check the quality of the oil to see if it needs replacing. If it does, remove the lower plug(drain plug) and drain it out. If there is no drain plug, youll need a pump which you may not have. Once its all drained, put the drain plug back in and add oil through the check plug hole until it comes out that hole. Let it level off then voila! If you wont want to do this in your driveway or dont have a lift, you can get it done at a valvoline oil change place.

[Defiant]

Drain and refill with Pennzoil Synchromesh from Auto Zone.

Remove the fill plug FIRST.

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/tflu.htm

[flipnoy213]

What kind of oil and how much of it do i need if i drain my tranny?

[SilverEclipseT]

Originally Posted by Defiant

Drain and refill with Pennzoil Synchromesh from Auto Zone.

Remove the fill plug FIRST.

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/tflu.htm

Would you recommend the same for the 420a as well.

[98RedGs]

Originally Posted by SilverEclipseT

Would you recommend the same for the 420a as well.

I would.
I use the same in both my N/T and Turbo DSM.

[aleccolin]

Pennzoil, Quaker State or AC Delco (GM) synchromesh. Auto Zone carries the Pennzoil. If you care about your transmission, transfer case, or rear end do not put Lucas Oil Stabilizer in it. There IS a gear oil that Lucas makes, that might be alright, but the Oil Stabilizer works well in engines, but not much else. Poke around on the forums on www.bobistheoilguy.com to see for yourself.

[Defiant]

Originally Posted by SilverEclipseT

Would you recommend the same for the 420a as well.

http://home.comcast.net/~ghettoraid/...transfluid.htm

[flipnoy213]

if i use lucas gear oil how much of it do i use and how much regular gear oil?

[aleccolin]

For Lucas' gear oil (available in either 80/90 or 85/140) you would use it just as you would normal gear oil. I'm still a little leery of Lucas in anything but an engine, so I'd probably use it half and half with a traditional gear oil of the same weight.

[LaserDad91]

Not sure how to link threads, so I have copied and pasted a previous post. See below.

Here is a link to the Penzoil Syncromesh oil. Key is, from what I have reviewed, is our trannys have Brass (yellow metal) syncro's. Normal gear oil, oxidizes these and wears them out sooner. So that is why, you need to use an oil specified for "yellow metal", as brass alloys are commoning called.

I bought my 91 Laser, n/t, with a rebuilt replacement 5 speed already installed by the previous owner. He had the normal characteristic, "sticky second". Well the 5 speed only had about 800 miles on it when I bought the car, and second was not a smooth shift when car was cold. I changed the fluid to the Penzoil, since I could not find Redline (Advance Auto parts said they were considering carrying Redline products, but I have not checked back). I purchased the Penziol from Autozone.

So far so good. Tranny has about 7K miles on it now, since the change, and it is very smooth, but then, it is summer too, so we will see. Anyway, here is the link!

http://www.pennzoil.com/products/ge...ncro_fluid.html

[Mist3r Spool]

I'm at the point when I need to change my tranny fluid. I had a question. From what I understand, once you go with synthetic oil you should stick with it, right? (at least with engines, anyway). Anyway, I had Redline MTL filled in my tranny after a clutch change and it seems to be ok but I don't really like Redline products. I read this post and saw that Pennzoil was pretty popular...I thought Pennzoil was crappy (or is that just their motor oil?) Before I pickup some of this (Pennzoil), should I re-consider and just get some synthetic BG-II, BG-I, or Royal Purple Synchromax instead?

[Ray_G]

I'm not sure the guidance about sticking with syn applies as much to the drivetrain as it does to the engine, but on the other hand, with a high performance car it's probably worthwhile to stick with the better product. I've run Redline in several vehicles and had no problems, but when I did the most recent fluid switch I went to Pennzoil synchromesh after reading all through here and the FAQs and such-it seems to have the best reputation. Fundamentally it shouldn't make too much of a difference, so long as you take the synchros needing the proper type of lubricant into account (i.e. standard gear oils will cause wear due to metal type.)

One other reason I went with it is locally all I can find in any of the autostores from Redline is Waterwetter, so even though they carry it, the clearly don't actually carry the product line. Synchromesh is essentially the same in several brand names from what I remember from my research, i.e. brands Quaker State and Pennzoil have nearly the same properties and can be substituted for each other as equivalents. A quick search should illustrate which one's that applies to-I'd stick with the major brands or the high end stuff like you're talking about.
r-
Ray