1988 Ranger XLT 2.3 5 speed manual tranny fluid

[rosscob]

This is my third Ranger but the first one with a manual transmission. The transmission code on the door stick says "M" so I'm assuming that's the Mazda transmission. From what I read they're supposed to use Mercon ATF for tranny fluid but I went to top mine off and somebody has used just regular gear oil. It seems to be working fine other than it grinds a little going in to second and third until t gets warmed up. Is that gear oil going to hurt anything, should I drain it and refill it with Mercon? Do I need to flush it before I fill it?

 

[franklin2]

I would take the gear oil out and put the ATF in it. It will shift better, and get better fuel mileage. The tolerances are closer on these transmissions, the ATF flows into these closer tolerances better than the gear oil. If you want to spring for the extra money, put synthetic ATF in it.

 

[racsan]

I had a ‘88 2.3 & it was the (mazda) M5OD, just drain whats in it and put atf in. Ive also ran pennzoil syncromesh fluid in my ranger manual transmissions.

 

[RonD]

Yes, warm it up first by driving it, then drain it

M5R1(M5OD-R1) holds 2.8 quarts Bone Dry, so maybe just over 2 quarts of ATF on refill

Drain and fill plugs are both 15/16th if memory serves

Need a pump bottle to refill or a funnel with a longer hose that fits in the fill hole

 

[rosscob]

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for. When I went to check the fluid level the fill plug was so tight that I had to hold my ratchet on the plug while I jacketed the ratchet handle up with my floor jack. The aluminum washer under the plug was crushed so bad I had to replace it. I bought a transfer pump from Harbor Freight for $7.45 to do the job then found an adapter with a long hose and one way valve at WalMart for $4.59 that will fit any bottle of fluid. It looks like it will work much better. Looks like it's going to be a weekend project. Supposed to be in the high 60's on the coast this weekend.