Changing Tranny Fluid?

[AquariumPerson]

Hi, my car is a 1990 eclipse, so its 16 years old, and I don't know if the tranny fluid has ever been replaced. Right before I got my car, it was sitting by the woods for 2 years, due to ECU problems. The other owners gave it to me free, they didnt know what was wrong with it. Anyways, how often should the tranny fluid be replaced? My car is a manual btw. Because sometimes it seems to grind a little into 2nd, and sometimes it is hard to get into 1st.(all tho that may be another problem, i just cant seem to get it into first sometimes, like i have to move the shift knob around in the direction of first before it engages) Anyway, i dunno if the grinding could be due to it sitting by the woods due to bad tranny fluid. Whats the scoop on tranny fluid? Thanks

 

[robs90tsi]

Hi, my car is a 1990 eclipse, so its 16 years old, and I don't know if the tranny fluid has ever been replaced. Right before I got my car, it was sitting by the woods for 2 years, due to ECU problems. The other owners gave it to me free, they didnt know what was wrong with it. Anyways, how often should the tranny fluid be replaced? My car is a manual btw. Because sometimes it seems to grind a little into 2nd, and sometimes it is hard to get into 1st.(all tho that may be another problem, i just cant seem to get it into first sometimes, like i have to move the shift knob around in the direction of first before it engages) Anyway, i dunno if the grinding could be due to it sitting by the woods due to bad tranny fluid. Whats the scoop on tranny fluid? Thanks

Ill tell you, if a car has been sitting anywhere for 2 years, the first matinence oriented thing you should do is change alll fluids, it is very unhealthy for your vehicle to leave all those old ass fluids in your vehicle, I cant bear the thought, change everything right now, DO IT.

 

[PaulN]

Your grinding sounds like the typical DSM. Mine does it and just about everyone else I know that has a 1G has the same trouble.

Go ahead and change your fluid and use a syncromesh transmission fluid (GM or Pennzoil, I think there are other brands as well). OldMitsuTech (a DSM Wisemen) recommends 15-50 Mobil1 synthetic motor oil. I have not tried it yet, so I can not say how well it works.

I know the syncro mesh helped my car a little, but the transmission is still notchy and grind between shifts sometimes (1st to 2nd mostly)

Once you change your fluids go ahead and plan to change the fluid again in 30,000 miles per the owners manaul.

And like the above poster stated, do some searches and you'll find much more information and opinions on the subject.

 

[dan95tsi]

My 95 grinded a little going into 2nd and a little more going into 3rd. I put in Royal Puple syncromesh It stopped the grinding in 2nd and if I jam it in 3rd it will still grind but not as much as it did. I would recommend some syncromesh and go from there.

 

[AquariumPerson]

so far all that has been done is the oil and radiator fluid, no power steering, break, or tranny fluid...yet. we also changed the air filter. i dunno if the spark plugs or wires should be changed either, they are the original im pretty sure.

 

[ihaterice]

Yes change the pulgs and gap them to .028 and change the wires.

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

"I know the syncro mesh helped my car a little, but the transmission is still notchy and grind between shifts sometimes (1st to 2nd mostly)

Once you change your fluids go ahead and plan to change the fluid again in 30,000 miles per the owners manaul."

IMHO: if you are going to use any tranny fluid with "Synchro" in the name, better change it every 10K. That stuff is thin, and does not even meet GL4 (or GL5) requirements.

Or you could just run a transmission oil that is factory spec: Redline MT90.

I had a tranny that was doing the same thing: I used BG Syncromesh, and the tranny went out within 10K. It was on it's way out anyway, but using a thinner oil for better shiftting will make it shift better but break sooner.

Go with the thick stuff that meets GL4 spec: the tranny will probably last longer.

If you only care about better shifting, and don't mind having to pull the tranny out sooner go ahead.

BTW: 2G's do specify a Sychromesh type of fluid. But a 1G AWD requires GL4.

 

[PaulN]

"I know the syncro mesh helped my car a little, but the transmission is still notchy and grind between shifts sometimes (1st to 2nd mostly)

Once you change your fluids go ahead and plan to change the fluid again in 30,000 miles per the owners manaul."

IMHO: if you are going to use any tranny fluid with "Synchro" in the name, better change it every 10K. That stuff is thin, and does not even meet GL4 (or GL5) requirements.

Or you could just run a transmission oil that is factory spec: Redline MT90.

I had a tranny that was doing the same thing: I used BG Syncromesh, and the tranny went out within 10K. It was on it's way out anyway, but using a thinner oil for better shiftting will make it shift better but break sooner.

Go with the thick stuff that meets GL4 spec: the tranny will probably last longer.

If you only care about better shifting, and don't mind having to pull the tranny out sooner go ahead.

BTW: 2G's do specify a Sychromesh type of fluid. But a 1G AWD requires GL4.

Exactly why I said:

And like the above poster stated, do some searches and you'll find much more information and opinions on the subject.

Besides if it's good enough for John Shepard it's good enough for me.

From Mr. Sheperds website:

What gear oil should I use?
There are several gear oils that will work depending on horsepower or intended use. For most transmissions we recommend Pennzoil Synchromesh. For drag use or high horsepower cars please contact us.

http://www.sheptrans.com/faq.php