Oh my tranny! It did not sound good!

[TallPaul]

Dropped to 0F last evening, then was around 5 above this am. When I started my F150, which is parked outdoors, there was a squeeling noise from the tranny for about 10 seconds.

I figure it must have been some bearing starved of oil briefly due to the cold. I am running 9.5 cSt synthetic manual tranny fluid (spec is ATF Mercon), which has been in there for 35,000 miles which spanned 2.5 winters, so I don't get why now it is making the noise. Will have to see if it does it again.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm guessing you have the M5OD Mazda transmission? I had slight noise in extreme cold with mine. It calls for Mercon 111 IIRC. I changed it out to Mobil 1 ATF about 2 years ago and it's working well, even in extreme cold during a trip to the Adirondacks last year. I think I would change that fluid out, or check for the leak they were notorious for at the top of the transmission. Have you checked the fluid level? They had all kinds leak problems from that gasket, did you replace it?

The thing with that leak is it only leaks when the truck is driven, and it slings and tosses it making it hard to detect.

Frank D

 

[oilboy123]

Could it possibly have been the throw out bearing?

 

[demarpaint]

You would hear that only when the clutch was depressed, as soon as you release it the noise would stop.

Frank D

 

[01rangerxl]

From what I have read, the M5OD has some splash lubricated bearings that don't like anything much thicker than ATF.

The leaks occur at the shift rail plugs. They are three circular rubber plugs just behind the shifter. It's a good idea to replace them as preventive maintenance every few years. It's an easy job. You just pry the old ones out and push new ones in. Most M5OD failures occur because of the shift rail plugs leaking or gear oil being used.

 

[TallPaul]

Thanks. Yes, M5OD tranny. Always start with clutch pedal down because of the starter lockout that requires clutch down. Often start with in gear too, and I believe it was in gear this am when I started it. Fluid and plugs were checked recently (few months) and were fine, but worth another check for sure. I think it is okay with even Redline MTL at 10.5 cSt as the dealer service rep told me I could run 10w30 motor oil in it. Think they even said I could run 10w40.

I have run M1 ATF in the past as well as Redline D4 ATF. Now it has Specialty Formulaton's Syncroglide, but they usually recommen change out in 30,000 miles just because there is no filter. I am past that and am planning to change in the spring, to try MTL.

 

[mechtech2]

This noise was probably the throwout bearing.

 

[TallPaul]

I think she's going to be all right. Too cold and busy to check yet, but not driving for a few days, so will park in garage and sometime kick on the garage furnace and when she's done dripping, crawl under and check the fluid.

 

[TallPaul]

Finally got under there. Seems was a bit low as none ran out the fill hole and a screwdrive in the hole indicated maybe half inch below the hole. It only took less than half a quart, minus all I spilled on the ground (plus managed to land my hair in a pool of tranny fluid), put plug back in with fluid coming back out, so I guess she's full. Seems to be some oil residue on the top, but none dripped down, maybe leaking.

After that experience, I want a permanent tube up into the engine bay and a dipstick. Wonder if any company makes an add on kit. Or can I cobble together something?

 

[Gary Allan]

Just put custom length dipstick into google and there are plenty that require on a 1/4NPT thread to work. You need to bushing your fill hole down to that. I imagine that your stick would be at near level with the fluid plane ..so it would probably mean that anything showing on the stick would be a bit over filled.

You should also be able to use (in some cases) the drain bung to do this. It would then be possible to elbow it and whatnot so that a true proper level could be calibrated on the stick with it in the near vertical position.

Oh, and if you really did any damage to your trans bearings, listen at idle with the clutch out. If you near an idling diesel off in the distance ..that isn't there when you push in the clutch ..the input bearing is a little loose. Don't worry. It's got a long time to go before requiring replacement.

 

[Tempest]

I have a M5OD on a Ranger using Amsoil MTL. We've been down into the high twenties here (that's very cold for here) with no problems shifting or strange noises.

 

[Buffman]

when I had my ranger with the M50D, I used Mobil 1 ATF and Pennzoil Syncromesh. I think I used 1 quart of Syncromesh and 1.5 qts of ATF. It Shifted quite nice in any temperature, especially with over 240K.

 

[TallPaul]

You're right Gary. Would only wet the tip of the stick and that with slight overfill. Maybe I can look into automatic tranny dipstick tubes, they are fatter, still have to make the connection at the tranny fill hole and support the tube with a bracket off the engine.

Oh, and the tranny seems to be fine. Working just like before. I don't think it was low enough, long enough to matter.