Manual trans fluid too thick ?

[ericthepig]

Guys, need help! I just sold my 1988 Mazda 323 (heartbreaking). I noticed that it wasn't shifting as smooth as it used too, so before I sold it I drained the T fluid and added some Lucas, and about 3/4 qt of 85/140 wt Wally gear fluid, and the rest I used 80/90 Wally gear fluid. I was thinking the thicker fluid would make things smoother (stuff I've been told way way back). Well, I didn't know anything about Lucas, so I just pick up a qt bottle of the manual gear fluid. When I put it in, it was VERY thick (almost like cold honey). I did these chges last wk. I sold the car tonite, and then I started worrying that about my chemistry experiment. I looked on the Lucas web site, and noticed they have the 80/90 and 85/140 wt fluids - I didn't know about this (till now) - I thought Lucas gear was Lucas gear. So I'm thinking I must've got the thick stuff. I read an online owners manual for the 323 - it calls for 80/90 wt.

So, have I just set off a time bomb in the new owners transmission? If so, I will call them and offer to chg it out.

Thanks for any help!! (btw, I live in LR - temps can get down to 20degF (& lower) in winter.)

 

[INDYMAC]

If you have the new owner's phone #, call and discuss with him/her what happened and offer to correct the issue. That transmission probably won't shift too well, and maybe not at all once the weather turns cold.

 

[hate2work]

Yeah, cold weather is going to be a problem. Offer to change it out. Better yet, put some good synthetic in it

 

[d00df00d]

Agreed on the cold weather point. Unless the new owner is going to drive the car hard all the time, I think that's the only real problem; shifting might also be a bit crunchy sometimes, but that's about it.

I don't think you've set off a ticking time bomb. It's just not the best thing for the transmission.

Did you tell the buyer that you just changed the fluid?

 

[ericthepig]

After I posted I remembered a transmission shop that's reputable around here - I just talked a mechanic there - he said "should be no problem, just harder to shift in the winter".

The girl showed up yesterday with a boyfriend (or at least a guy helping her pick out a car) - I'm pondering whether to call and let them know - if it was a definite mess, then I would call. But if it's not - then calling someone with an "issue" after you've made the sale - then that could open a can of worms. (?)

 

[mechtech2]

Tell them that if the shifting is sluggish when it is really cold out, get a thinner fluid in there.
Tell them you put in a thicker oil for good protection of the parts, but you have not tested in the cold for that transmission yet.
Everybody's happy then.

 

[ericthepig]

Sounds like a plan Mechtech. That's what I'm going to do. Thanks!

 

[ericthepig]

Made the call. Read from Mechtech's script. Talked to her boyfriend - very understanding guy. Now feel like there's closure with that car.

 

[daves66nova]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Tell them that if the shifting is sluggish when it is really cold out, get a thinner fluid in there.
Tell them you put in a thicker oil for good protection of the parts, but you have not tested in the cold for that transmission yet.
offer to change it out if it does shift sluggish, that'll make 'em happy.

 

[mechtech2]

Naw...
Offer to take the girlfriend out to dinner!

 

[ericthepig]

I'm married & three kids. No more girlfriend hassles.

I thought about making that offer (to chg the T fluid) - if they called me back w/ a complaint, I'd do it. But they were (apparently) a fairly poor couple from the inner city - getting involved in ongoing maintenance could be a slippery slope.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Naw...
Offer to take the girlfriend out to dinner!