Mk 3 Owners - stiff 6 speed gearbox?

[Flip Martian]

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?

[Flip Martian]

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.

[Flip Martian]

Thanks! Looking forward to picking it up and taking the top down before driving home. Apparently the clutch can be adjusted easily but I'll see if it bothers me.

[Flip Martian]

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!

[Flip Martian]

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.

[Flip Martian]

Cheers guys - will look into that when I pick it up - they do indeed look good in black. I'd better start enjoying washing cars too I suppose...

[Flip Martian]

Shaw Tarse said:

Black looks great when clean (doesn't last long )
I'd suggest getting it lowered

I'll be taking it out (when its dry and not gritted) when I can for a bit over the winter and will be looking to do that for the Spring. Looking forward to a good Summer next year...

[Flip Martian]

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 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

[Flip Martian]

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.

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.

[Flip Martian]

libs45 said:

Hi, My Mk3 sport was exactly the same when I got it, had to almost push the clutch pedal through the floor to get a decent change from cold.. after reading few forums, I tried manually adjusting the biting point, and it made a world of difference! it's just a question of loosening a locking bolt, turning the adjuster a couple of turns, tighten the bolt again... deffo worth a try!

http://www.miata.net/garage/adjust_clutch/index.ht...

Thanks - I did mention that in my first post - looks like you're the only one brave enough to try it so far Good to know it works.

[Flip Martian]

BIG DUNC said:

I think the 6 speed box in the mk3 is the same box as that in the Mazda MPS.

If you do a search on mpsowners.co.uk you will find lots of debate about which oil to use. It does make a difference, but when cold the box is stiff and notchy and 1st / 2nd can be a pain.

There is a well known mod to adjust the clutch biting point on the 6 MPS, but I have no idea whether or not it is applicable for the MX5

Will check out the link ta - yes - the clutch biting point mod applies also.