Mk 3 Owners - stiff 6 speed gearbox?
Discussion
I looked at a Mk3 2.0 sport with the 6 speed box last night - taking a daylight look today - and had a brief test drive and I was surprised how stiff and awkward the gearbox seemed. Very shallow biting point and some gears just awkward to select. I put this down to not being familiar with it but Googling seems to indicate its a well known "issue" and that Mazda say its "a feature of the box". Googling also suggests the shallow biting point is adjustable (which makes you wonder why Mazda don't do it, if that's true) and changing to a particular brand of gearbox fluids helps a lot.
Any observations from Mk 3 2.0 owners welcome?
Any observations from Mk 3 2.0 owners welcome?
We just had the garage change the fluid at the last service. Yet to drive the car since. But it was getting quite notchy and hard to select 1st when cold.
I'm not sure what a shallow bite point refers too? Initially I thought you meant clutch but possibly something else?
Have you driven it once everything has warmed up.
I'm not sure what a shallow bite point refers too? Initially I thought you meant clutch but possibly something else?
Have you driven it once everything has warmed up.
Flip Martian said:
Yes, clutch was what I meant. Clutch needed depressing flat to the floor before changing gear - just a question of getting used to it I think. I revisited today, bearing in mind what I'd read about it online and changes were far better than last night.
Just bought myself an MX5.
Excellent! Ours must be adjusted a bit better. Possibly by chance. The kia we have just got alongside it has the bite point right next to the floor but no issues getting gears.Just bought myself an MX5.
Enjoy!
roddo said:
Mk3's can be stiff to change gear when cold. Change the gearbox oil for a good quality sintrans/redline synthetic oil.
Re clutch check adjustment but be careful done overcompensate for a worn clutch.
Cheers, will bear it in mind. Felt better today (and the car was cold when I took it out) so will see. Re clutch check adjustment but be careful done overcompensate for a worn clutch.
Flip Martian said:
VladD said:
Pictures please.
I just have the one at the moment - picking it up on Friday. Its a Sport model, incl the optional climate control. Having first driven it last night when it was freezing, I know it works very well!
I find mine to be notchy when cold but not so as I cannot get it into first at all - I'd follow what others are saying and look into getting an oil change.
)BenNC2 said:
Do you guys have any links to the gearbox oils you've suggested?
Mine has had a gearbox oil change as part of the service a couple of weeks ago and it hasn't helped a great deal.
Nice car btw OP, I hope you have a blast!
Cheers Mine has had a gearbox oil change as part of the service a couple of weeks ago and it hasn't helped a great deal.
Nice car btw OP, I hope you have a blast!
I found a forum thread somewhere where they mentioned the one to use - Castrol something - will see if I can find it.EDIT - I did find it - Castrol Syntrans 75W90 GL4
On my 2nd MK3, first 6 speed box done, and this one is no different. One thing i will say, it seems to get a lot looser with mileage, less notchy. My last 2.0 sport had 13k on it. Was quite notchy so tried the Gearbox oil change and so on, no difference really. My present car has 50k on the clock, and i find it a lot less notchy and smoother in changes. It still has that little notchy feeling going into 2nd and 3rd, but seems to clear pretty quick when even the slightest of heat gets into it.
I have tranny oil sitting at the moment, I am changing the brand altogether, so will see if that gives any improvement over the standard Mazda stuff. Will keep you posted.
I have tranny oil sitting at the moment, I am changing the brand altogether, so will see if that gives any improvement over the standard Mazda stuff. Will keep you posted.
SCEL1SE said:
On my 2nd MK3, first 6 speed box done, and this one is no different. One thing i will say, it seems to get a lot looser with mileage, less notchy. My last 2.0 sport had 13k on it. Was quite notchy so tried the Gearbox oil change and so on, no difference really. My present car has 50k on the clock, and i find it a lot less notchy and smoother in changes. It still has that little notchy feeling going into 2nd and 3rd, but seems to clear pretty quick when even the slightest of heat gets into it.
I have tranny oil sitting at the moment, I am changing the brand altogether, so will see if that gives any improvement over the standard Mazda stuff. Will keep you posted.
Have you tried that gearbox oil I noted above? The thread I saw it on did mention "nothing else seemed to make a difference but this one did", that's all.I have tranny oil sitting at the moment, I am changing the brand altogether, so will see if that gives any improvement over the standard Mazda stuff. Will keep you posted.
Mine has 78k on it, so mileage certainly isn't an issue
Definitely notchy - but as with the paintwork (another thready) I'll get it sorted next year. I'm getting used to it as it is. Had a fantastic drive down windy lanes from MK to High Wycombe and back today. Our 2009 Sportech had its annual service last week. Its only done 18k miles but I had the gearbox and diff oil changed using a premium 75/90 fully synth. There is a noticeably smoother change but only when warmed up, still notchy from cold. Talking to the mechanic about this he has observed that this seems to be a characteristic of the Mazda and other marques another example being the GT86. Off topic, I got to try a modified Juke Nismo and what a wolf in sheep's clothing that is!! 
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