MS3 Transmission acting very odd.
 

Hi everybody,

First I'd like to introduce myself as this is my first post of these forums. My name is Matt and I am 19 years old and drive a 2008 Mazda Speed 3 and a 2003 Evo 8.

Anyway here's my question(s). Recently I replaced my engine in the Speed. It threw a rod and all up to this happening my transmission was solid. After many long days I finally have been able to get the motor back to working order but now my transmission is acting way off.

When I was replacing the engine I obviously took the transmission apart and everything looked great. Clutch was brand new as I just replaced it. No damage or anything out of the norm to the flywheel etc etc.

Currently it has the wrong transmission fluid in it. I had my GF pick me up some fluid and after realizing something was wrong with the tranny, I figured out the transmission fluid was the wrong type.

The first problem when driving is only noted at going speeds of 60 MPH+. There's a rattle coming from the transmission that grows louder and louder with speed. The second being that once the turbo actually spools up it starts to buck a bit and the transmission gives out not producing power to the ground. The third is when going up a large hill here in CA if the turbo spools it again starts to lose power to the ground starts bucking. The bucks are very small. Nothing horrendous but you can clearly tell it's not getting the power to the ground.

The clutch and gearbox are solid currently. It feels perfect as always pushing the clutch in and running through the gears. But once you get into even a couple pounds of boost or get over 60MPH things change.

Is it possible all of this is because of the wrong transmission fluid or is it something larger than that?

Let me know if you guys have any ideas of have had similar troubles. I know when my Evo 8's transfer case went out there were some similar signs of what's going on right now. I just really want my Speed to work again because the way I have to drive it right now it's pretty much a regular 3 with no SPEED!

Thanks so much everybody!

Sounds like your clutch - its the only thing that can slip between your engine and yout tires.

When the engine produces more power its "not getting the power to the ground" = clutch.

Its definitely not your transmission fluid causing the issue. Something sounds wrong with clutch engagement and it doesn't seem to be having all the clamping force it needs.

You sure you got the PP and clutch installed and everything put back together right?

You sure no oil got on friction surfaces, possibly rear main leak?

Try this and report back with your findings.....

-While driving down the road in 3rd gear, put the car in 2nd gear, then let out the clutch. If the RPMs of the engine don't immediately go up, it may be time to replace the clutch.

-Test it in a parking lot, with it stopped but running, put the car in 2nd or 3rd gear and let out the clutch. If it does not stall, but the RPMs go up and the vehicle does not move, the clutch is bad and needs to be replaced.

I will test the clutch out like "Scare Dem" recommended and let you know.

I know for a fact I replaced the rear main seal when I was switching everything from my old engine to my new, working one, over.

It's definitely possible something was installed incorrectly. I'm by no means an expert in swapping engines.

If it is the clutch would that also be the reason for the loud vibration going 60+ or does that point to something else as well?