OK,

I finally got around to changing my manual tranny gear oil. Piece of cake, followed Russ' instructions. BUT, (isnt there always a but) I noticed a few things and was hoping for some feedback from those that have done this:

1)Reason for change of oil is notchy shifting and unable to get into first without playing "games" when its cold. I have 20,500K on the car
2)When I drained the oil, it was very metalic. I.E. it looked like gold metal flake paint. Has anybody else seen this? Should I be worried or is it "normal wear and tear"?
3)When I filled the case with MT-90, in Russ' pics the oil is very distinctly red, but mine was an off amber color. Not the vibrant red as shown in the pics. Did they remove the red dye? I read the bottle and it seems by the packaging that I got MT-90 75w90 Syn, but was curious why color was different.
4)I now have about 50 miles on the change, and woke up this morn anxious to try the new oil and I still had to play game to get it in gear. I.E. blip the throttle or go to 4-2-1 to get it in gear.
5)Also when I shift, it seems that I bang off the "gates" more than I should. Its hard to explain but unless I am extremely slow and deliberate, when I shift, it kinda "chunks" into gear. This has not changed from the OEM to redline. I just came back from Europe and drove a Lancia over there. I did not have this feeling at all. Comments, opinions? Could my tranny be showing signs of problems?

Also please keep in mind I have been driving a manual since I was 13 and now 29, so I think I have a good idea how to shift in a non-race fashion.

Any useful comments and observations would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Give it some more time. I know from when I changed it that it took some time before I could really notice a change. Of course I changed mine at about 2500 miles so I don't think everything was broken in yet either.

 

Yea, give it some time. About a year ago I was having problems downshifting to 2nd gear. The car had about 17k miles on it at the time. Last December I switched to the MT-90 and at first I thought that it didn't work, but a year later it downshifts to 1st and 2nd very easily. I know have about 37k miles. You might not notice much of a difference in the first few thousand miles, but after that I think you will see that it does help.

 

That is not a good sign, I've changed the oil in several manual trannies and have never noticed any flakes like that. I think the flakes are brass from the synchros and there's no telling how much wear they got unless you open the tranny. From your description (gold metal flake paint) the amount of wear may be alot already. If the shifting doesn't improve, you may have serious synchro problems that no oil will fix.

 

Jon,

Mine had EXACTLY 15K on it and the fluid looked brand new. Nissan uses some GOOD MT fluid if you ask me. You should send in a sample of the OEM fluid to Blackstone, if you still have it, to find out more about the flakes. I've got mine ready to ship off, so we would have something to compare it too.

The MT-90 was PINK more than Red. I think Russ's camera added a little color to it.

It took about 600-700 miles before the shifting feel changed, but 400-500 was an immediate hwy road trip, so I don't really shift too much. I think residual OEM fluid takes a little time before the MT-90 disperses it and that's why it takes a little driving to "feel" anything change. I've been driving to work, since I got pulled over on my scooter and I've noticed the "clunk" into gear. I think it's because the MT-90 is thinner and you feel more of the metal/metal contact. Just a guess though.

So did you try my trick?

 

VOila... I too have the same problem..

I changed over to AMSOIL 2000 syntehtic for my 6speed and thought it would make a difference..

Changed at 7000kms, now i am at 23,000 kms... And still my 6speed is the worst shifting piece of $hit grinding nothcy tranny in the world..

WHAT THE HELL DO I DO?

I get stuck in traffic on a daily basis.. its not that i am complaining that i have a stick in traffic, but because i have difficulty shiftting smoooth..

As a comparison... My old mazda protege with 215,000kms and broken synchros (i sold it becuase my tranny finally blew up from racing and improper repairs).. shifted like this.. HOW CAN my brand new 2k2 maxima shift this bad... I don't understand..

I take it to the dealer and 3 dealers told me this is normal...

So I hope one day my tranny will blow up so nissan will give me a new tranny..

ED

 

I have read on the board that 6spd owners have either liked or hated the fluid change over. Not many have said it makes a dramatic difference.

Ummm, refresh my memory? I cant seem to recall what you are referencing.

I have also noticed, now that I am paying extreme attention, that I have to finagle (sp?) the shifter into gear while riding also. Kinda like its waiting for something before letting me into the gear. Any body else with additional input or help? I am worried about the syncros and am not happy at this point with the tranny. I am worried about the amound of "metal" I found in the fluid.

Alex, did you see that kind of "metal" in your fluid change?

Thanks

 

I noticed an improvement right away andc there were no flakes in the old oil. That doesn't seem normal at all.

 

This is what I was afraid of. So when you drained yours, it was not like gold metal flake paint...just a gold color?

 

Removing the intake scoop....

Yeah, I was the same way. I had convinced myself the clutch/flywheel chatter had drastically improved UNTIL my friend explained that's impossible. Now I notice it's the same as before.

As for this question, GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOW!!!!!!! Hehe. No, I didn't see any flakes, but I did take a sample so maybe Blackstone will find something. I did notice the fluid looked BRAND NEW.

 

Yeah, lol, I used your remove the intake idea. 2 seconds and it did make the job easier.

Yeah, the fluid never touches the flywheel/clutch assembly.

I am going to call my service manager after I have run awhile (its winter now so no more bike for a while) and drain and inspect the fluid with him. I think thats the only course of action I have at this point.

My fluid looked "new" but as in all the oil discussions, looking new does not mean it has the lubricating properties or metal floating around in it.

 

Yeah it was just gold in color, no flakes. I also helped out with another Max at about the same time and it was also the same, no flakes.

Then again, maybe it's no cause for concern, could be your tranny came particularly "tight" clearance-wise from the factory and thus had a more severe break in.

 

So, how long should I run the current fluid before rechecking it? Also what should I do to recheck it? Complete change...Drain enough for a Blackstone sample?

If just drain enough for Blackstone sample...what procedure should I use as when you drain it, it comes into contact with the crossmember...will it contaminate the sample?

Sigh...

 

You can place a funnel against the bolt as you remove it to prevent the fluid from hitting anyhting else. The best way to take a sample is to catch the fluid that comes out during the middle of the drain.

 

I could tell just by feel and smell the old fluid was perfectly fine and didn't need replaced.

As for the flakes, I took a sample and none are visible with my eyes, but then again I'm pretty blind.

I'd drive the car for AT LEAST 3K-5K and then take a sample withOUT draining. It's best to take a sample as iwannabmw recommeded, but I'd siphon or drain a little out after driving for 15mins. or so and send it to Blackstone once you've got at least 3K-5K miles on the Redline.

 

Ugg, this is not good. I am dreading this a whole bunch. I am trying how to figure out how to get my SM involved in this process.

 

Sorry to say, but I'd go back to OEM MT fluid BEFORE you do that.

They might try to blame the Redline.

 

Actually I got his permission before I changed it, just to be sure. I called him and he said he would have to check it out but to continue to drive it for about another 1k and bring it in. I also told him I only have about 200 on it and he said that to little to do a fluid analysis on.

And since I am having my FORD and my NISSAN serviced at Falhaber (cause they are just that good), he seems to be willing to work with the situation. But he agreed with the notion that a 2k1 with 20.5K on it should NOT be doing this at all. Fluid or not. And he said, if anything, it should be discolored NOT have flakes in it.

So in 1K I will take it to them, they will drain, Ill get my sample, and then we will go from there. Hopefully it will all be in my head...but I am doubting it.

 

Good luck Jon!

It looks like you've got the SM on your side and that's half the battle in my book. The other half is trying to tell them how to do their job withOUT telling them how to do their job.

 

LOL...Know that...they guy said I was a fastidious about my car...I laughed and said "call it like you see it, I am **** retentive!" We both laughed.