tranny fluid question

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Jun 2, 2007 | 11:20 AM

1955effie

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tranny fluid question

hey guys , i need some info . i have a 1994 ranger with the standard tranny with o/d . that has 83,000 on the clock . i am changing the fluid and boy by the looks it really needed it . the fluid that came out seems to be heavier than the atf that carquest says that needs to go back in ? also i need to know how much to put back in ,because there seemed to be alot that came out . so far i have gotten about two and a half quarts back in and it is ruuning back out the fill plug . is it possible to over fill these trannys ? i just got this truck and wanted to service everything before it goes on the road . thanks

Jun 2, 2007 | 11:37 AM

rubydist

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From: Denver

The oil in a manual trans will appear to thicken with use, since the syncros wear into very fine particles that get carried around in the oil, and eventually it seems to be 'sludge' that's in there. 2.5 qts is about the correct amount for the Ranger trans.

I'm not sure which trans you have in your 94, but the newer Mazda trans are the ones that use atf, the earlier Mitsubishi's took gear oil as I recall (although the viscosity isn't much different really).

Jun 2, 2007 | 04:55 PM

fflintstone

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From: Aurora

The fill plug hole is the level indicator. Over fill it a bit till it runs out the hole. When it turns to just a slow overflow, your done. Just make sure the truck is on a flat, level surface.

Fred

Jun 2, 2007 | 06:05 PM

MazdaRangerGuy

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Yes the 1994 uses ATF.. Mercon/DexronIII.

There are some "synthetic" alternatives available that will be slightly thicker, but the old fluid will get very thick on its own... It's also possible somebody in the past put gear oil in it, but I'd think the transmission would be fried by now if that was the case.

Jun 3, 2007 | 06:41 AM

1955effie

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thanks guys , i filled the trans with atf it took about 2.5 quarts . i drove it out of the shop and then backed it up . no weird sounds and everything seems to work ok . i don't have it registered yet . but when it gets the next oil change i am going to drop the tranny fluid also only because it looked crappy .

Jun 3, 2007 | 08:38 AM

fflintstone

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From: Aurora

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1955effie

Good plan. The detergents in the ATF should clean things well. After the next change, you can go back to the normal change interval for the tranny.

fred

Jun 3, 2007 | 09:53 AM

jimdandy

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I posted this elsewhere, but I'll give the brief version. The Mazda transmissions used in Ford vehicles are a little "finnicky" about what oil is used. Due to the cut of the syncro teeth, Ford's atf formulation is best for a smooth shift. I used Mobil 1 in my F150 and shifting became "draggy", somewhat hard to shift, and I would get an occasional "grind." I replaced the Mobil with "anybrand" atf with the same results. So, I wrote it off to imagination. I happened across an article explaining the teeth cut, and changed back to Motorcraft atf. Smooth, no-grind shifts returned. The only other oil recommended with the same formulation is Royal Purple. jd