Gearbox worries??

Author
Discussion

jamesclarkson

Original Poster:

687 posts

214 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
I have a 1998 mk2 1.6 Eunos imported last April and owned by me since then. Over that period selection of second gear in particular has become very notchy. This appears worse when the car is cold. Once warm there can be occasions when there is no problem engaging 2nd gear. I had the service 6 months ago and when i got the car back the problem seemed to be sorted which makes me this there is some adjustment to be made somewhere? The garage i had it serviced have since fone out of business so cannot go back there.

I am none the wiser to what the problem is and am concerned that it could be a gearbox problem which i want to get sorted. Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

James

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
My 1st port of call would be the gearbox oil, (and turret oil). Next time it's in for a service get them to change it unless you know it's been done.

Whats the miles on the car?

jamesclarkson

Original Poster:

687 posts

214 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Its done about 85000miles. I will have to give the oil a check is it just a case of filling it up with oil until it runs out of the plug on the side? I havent looked at my car so just guessing really!

Kinky

39,800 posts

276 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
James,

Going into 2nd from 1st has always been 'notchy' for me on the cold box. Once warmed up all is OK. Other than that I've never had a problem, and that's been a year now.

Although, that said, I think the release bearing is on it's way out, as depressing the clutch slightly produces the most horrendous squeals, again until it's warmed up.

K

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Yeah. I've just read Rons manual and it basically says.

1)Make sure car is level and you can get underneath safely.
2)Remove filler bolt.
3)Remove drain bolt.
(Do these in this order to make sure you can fill with new oil later, before draining old oil)
4)Once oil is drained, re-fit drain bolt.
5)Fill with 2 liters of the correct gearbox oil until it's level with the filler hole.
6)Allow excess to drain out (10 mins).
7)Re-fit filler bolt.

A2Z

1,080 posts

233 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Munter said:
Yeah. I've just read Rons manual and it basically says.

1)Make sure car is level and you can get underneath safely.
2)Remove filler bolt.
3)Remove drain bolt.
(Do these in this order to make sure you can fill with new oil later, before draining old oil)
4)Once oil is drained, re-fit drain bolt.
5)Fill with 2 liters of the correct gearbox oil until it's level with the filler hole.
6)Allow excess to drain out (10 mins).
7)Re-fit filler bolt.
Funny, just been reading that chapter today.

Reckons these boxes respond well to synthetic oil, and should make it less notchy.


jamesclarkson

Original Poster:

687 posts

214 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Cheers guys very helpful will give it a go and see how it goes. I am going to put the car up for sale in a few weeks and want it to be perfect for the next owner.

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
If your going to sell it...Just make sure the gearbox is warmed up before anybody arrives to look at it. I wouldn't bother fafing checking the oil level in the box. smile

Kinky

39,800 posts

276 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Munter said:
Yeah. I've just read Rons manual
Phil - is that the workshop manual, or something else?

K

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Kinky said:
Munter said:
Yeah. I've just read Rons manual
Phil - is that the workshop manual, or something else?

K
Now you ask me I notice 2 problems.

1)It's Rod's Enthusiast's Workshop Manual. Not Rons. (Red one)
2)My books for a MK1. The OP has a MK2....

Kinky

39,800 posts

276 months

Sunday 17th February 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Phil thumbup

Already have it - just making sure I was not missing a valuable resource.

K

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Monday 18th February 2008
quotequote all
Replacing the old gear-oil (and dif-oil) for Redline Synthetic in my old Mk1 and my current car improved the gear-change no-end and also made the gearbox quieter (you don't notice how noisy it is until you make it quieter).
My Mk1 had a very notchy gear-change 1st to 2nd and worse 2nd to 1st, so bad that sometimes I gave up and pulled away in 2nd or went 1st to 3rd. Replacing with Redline synthetic cured this 90%.

If the car has done reasonable miles/is a few years old there is a very good chance that the lower shift-boot is torn and quite possibly the upper boot too. Replacing these (and the nylon cap & turret oil while you are in there, any oil will do - it doesn't swap juices with the gearbox) will also make a big improvement to the gear-change.

jamesclarkson

Original Poster:

687 posts

214 months

Tuesday 19th February 2008
quotequote all
That sounds exactly the same symptoms as mine so thats the first step for me then i think will give those a go. Is there a workshop manual available for the mk2 car or is it a case of most of the mk1 stuff is the same/similar? I looked for a Haynes manual and there didnt seem to be one available? In an earlier reply there was talk of a manual which one is it please?

Cheers for all your help guys, much appreciated!

jamesclarkson

Original Poster:

687 posts

214 months

Tuesday 19th February 2008
quotequote all
Any idea which gear oil and diff oil grade it would be?

Munter

31,326 posts

248 months

Tuesday 19th February 2008
quotequote all
http://www.veloce.co.uk/shop/products/productDetai...

This is the manual I have. Not sure if anyone has ever done a MK2 manual.

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Tuesday 19th February 2008
quotequote all
I don't think there are any Mk1 manuals but Mk2s are about 90% the same as far as servicing is concerned.
I did mine - gearbox & diff' without referring to any manuals.

jamesclarkson

Original Poster:

687 posts

214 months

Monday 25th February 2008
quotequote all
I'm sorry to be a pain again but im going out to pick up the gearbox oil tomoro if possible with the intention of changing it in the afternoon. With regards the turret oil, how is that accessed, via the cockpit or elsewhere? How much gear/diff oil is required i have searched online but struggled to find any figures? Cheers guys

skinny

5,269 posts

242 months

Monday 25th February 2008
quotequote all
turret oil is via cockpit - remove gear lever, centre console, and the two boots.

you'll need a small amount, say 100ml? something like that...

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Monday 25th February 2008
quotequote all
I think it's 2 litres for the gearbox and one for the dif.
Use any old oil (cheap engine oil is good) in the turret - I think it takes 90cc.

Good instructions on Miata.Net