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Did I underfill tranny fluid?

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Old 09-02-2013, 08:32 PM
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Did I underfill tranny fluid?

Hi Folks

I finally drained and filled my tranny and diff fluid on my '08 6mt for the first time today. I filled the diff to overflowing (about 1.4-1.5 quarts), but when I filled the transmission, I put in about 1.8-1.85 quarts (there was 4oz left in the bottle) when my pump broke. There was no overflow from the fill hole.

I decided that was enough, and closed up, but now I'm thinking - did I underfill it?

The car was on a little bit of an incline (driver's side about an inch higher than passenger side), so maybe that had something to do with it?

So, my question is, should I worry or just forget about it and drive?

thanks...
Old 09-02-2013, 08:36 PM
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It takes 2 quarts exactly. You probably aren't doing immediate harm, but you need to get it filled appropriately. Running with too low fluid will increase the heat saturation the fluid runs at.

The good news is that you can fill the transmission of a Series1 RX-8 through the shifter turret. Just remove the shifter, insert funnel, and pour in exactly 2 quarts (or the fluid you have left). No need for a pump.
Old 09-02-2013, 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by RIWWP
It takes 2 quarts exactly. You probably aren't doing immediate harm, but you need to get it filled appropriately. Running with too low fluid will increase the heat saturation the fluid runs at.

The good news is that you can fill the transmission of a Series1 RX-8 through the shifter turret. Just remove the shifter, insert funnel, and pour in exactly 2 quarts (or the fluid you have left). No need for a pump.
Thanks for the quick reply. For some reason (maybe I read it somewhere) I thought it was 1.8. I did waste a little oil flushing the pump (I did the diff first so wanted to clean off the leftvoer diff fluid), so I think I'll end up at 1.9 or 1.95, I'll try the shifter way next.
Old 09-03-2013, 10:45 AM
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Be careful when filling through the shifter not to spill that stuff inside your car, I used the OEM stuff that Mazda sells the first time I did mine and man does that stuff stink. It was a very small amount and I did not think that stuff was ever going to get out of the car. The last time I did it I actually got some tubing and put a small hole in the plastic quart bottle and pushed about 18 PSI of compressed air in through the other end and sent it up through the transmission that way. It was a little longer process, but at least if I spilled it I did not have to smell it for months.
Old 09-03-2013, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by mr80
Thanks for the quick reply. For some reason (maybe I read it somewhere) I thought it was 1.8. I did waste a little oil flushing the pump (I did the diff first so wanted to clean off the leftvoer diff fluid), so I think I'll end up at 1.9 or 1.95, I'll try the shifter way next.
You know what, I thought it was 1.8 as well. I think this is the guide most of us followed as its what is linked in the DIY.

2004 RX-8 Transmission & Differential Refill

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...acement-35115/

I'm gonna dig through the FSM unless RIWWP beats me too it.

I sure hope its right since I've had 1.8 quarts of Redline MT-90 in there for about 2 years.
Old 09-03-2013, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by rickeo
You know what, I thought it was 1.8 as well. I think this is the guide most of us followed as its what is linked in the DIY.

2004 RX-8 Transmission & Differential Refill

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...acement-35115/

I'm gonna dig through the FSM unless RIWWP beats me too it.
Well you know I just did mine a few weeks ago, and mine did not accept a full two quarts either. So either the three of us have cars that are not consistent with everyone else s, did not drain all the fluid or it simply does not quite hold two quarts.
Old 09-03-2013, 11:09 AM
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Hmm. The factory article does indeed say 1.85 US QT.

I have another source that says 2.4qt, which i know is wrong. And a 3rd source that says 2qt.

I guess I was wrong though.

I did...4 changes? with my 8 and used 2qt each time.
Old 09-03-2013, 11:10 AM
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I'f i'm reading this correctly, the 6-spd takes 1.85 US Quarts. So neither of us were correct. lol..

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Old 09-03-2013, 11:25 AM
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I have done a change in both the S1 and S2 m/t and notice that the S2 holds less fluid then the S1 if you use the filler plug, but the S2 can also be topped off more through the shifter were the S1 cannot either way they both are about 1.5-1.8L
Old 09-03-2013, 01:06 PM
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Interesting - so some folks are putting in 2 quarts, and others 1.8, with no issues as far as I can see. I think I'll now stick with what is in there right now (1.8-1.85).

I appreciate everyone's responses
Old 09-03-2013, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Carbon8
I have done a change in both the S1 and S2 m/t and notice that the S2 holds less fluid then the S1 if you use the filler plug, but the S2 can also be topped off more through the shifter were the S1 cannot either way they both are about 1.5-1.8L
erm, You cannot fill the S2 through the shifter hole.

it will just fill the trans tunnel with fluid, none of which goes to the transmission gears itself


Last edited by paimon.soror; 09-03-2013 at 01:17 PM.
Old 09-03-2013, 01:18 PM
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^^That's awesome.

Who is the unfortunate owner of that car?
Old 09-03-2013, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by paimon.soror
erm, You cannot fill the S2 through the shifter hole.

it will just fill the trans tunnel with fluid, none of which goes to the transmission gears itself
Never said I tried it, thought I saw it in a service manual, I used the filler hole and barely got 1.5L in my S2 trans and in all honestly the car drives like it needs more.
Old 09-03-2013, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by rickeo
^^That's awesome.

Who is the unfortunate owner of that car?
Lol that was me, doesn't do any damage, shifter just sits in it. Realized something wasn't right when i was filling it and it got near the top after like 0.2 qt lol.
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