I can't imagine that's a thing, but when I took the drain plug out a spring plopped into the oil pan, so here I am. The car'd been parked for a few months until I borrowed a hoist to hold the engine so I could replace the clutch and a motor mount, I started it up and let it run for a while just to make sure things were fine. I backed it into place and I didn't notice anything wrong (save for the clutch). Pretty sure there shouldn't be loose springs in the transmission though so I guess I'll be getting a new one of those to match the clutch. Are there any suggestions on how to store a transmission? Anything to it besides draining and keeping it from getting dirty? The spring wasn't chewed up, so it might be repairable, but I definitely want to know where it came from. Magical spring (re)placement incantations also welcome.

 

How big was the spring?

The only thing I could imagine it would be is one of the springs that go with the check *****. The springs I'm thinking of are pretty small, maybe only an inch high.

Nothing really special to store a tranny, unless of course you're storing outside where its susceptible to the weather.

 

That sounds right. The spring is 1" long, 1/4" diameter, coiled [edit]10[/edit] times, flat on the ends, and I found a 1/4" bearing had also fallen out.

 

Yep, that's definitely it then.

Wait - are you sure you didn't inadvertently remove the check-ball bolt instead of the drain plug?

There's a couple of them on transmission case and it wouldn't be out of the question to accidentally remove it instead of the drain plug.

That would explain why the check ball and the spring fell out. Otherwise there is physically no way for it to come out unless they were BOTH floating around inside the case and both happened to work perfectly through the drain hole (and the odds of that are slim).

I think we solved the case

 

Oh man would that be a relief. I have a Haynes manual, but that is about useless (especially for the VE). I just looked for what was lowest and figured it was nice and accessible (front-driverside). Can you correct me?

 

Actual drain plug is right under the front trans mount (facing the radiator). You have to use a 1/2" ratchet or extension to open it. Its the only one with a square recessed insert. If it hasn't been removed in a while use pb blaster, ratchet and cheater bar.

 

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/1994/
hope you can get her working, again.

 

The fill plug and drain plug are the same? Was I supposed to siphon out the fluid?

I badly need to get an FSM. Thanks for the .pdfs.

No wonder I had such trouble getting the clutch pedal aligned, Haynes doesn't mention you need to pull back the carpet for the proper measurement. >_> Thanks again for the e-FSM.

 

The DRAIN plug for the tranny is on the right rear corner, directly below the right side axle.
http://blehmco.com/pics/car/drivetra...y/IM001400.JPG

The FILL plug for the tranny is the recessed square head plug on the front of the tranny.

What you've removed is the check ball for the shifter linkage. DO NOT MOVE THE SHIFTER until you put that guy back in. just run it back in and don't torque it too much. I usually put a small dab of RTV on the threads just to ensure it doesn't leak.

As for storing the car, draining the tranny fluids is the worst thing you can do. you should leave all of the fluids topped off, except maybe the antifreeeze if it's going to be colder than 20 below. otherwise you have a tendency to get moisture in there as the parts warm and cool in the humid air. they'll suck air (and moisture) in through the breather vents.. the more volume of air inside, the more condensation you'll get. much better off to leave everything topped off and put some caps over the breathers to keep bugs and moisture out.

same for the fuel. add some StaBil to the tank, then start and run the car for a few minutes to make sure it gets distributed through the fuel system all the way thorugh to the injectors.