m/t help 1991 celica - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

colbyjenner · 11-10-2009, 12:50 PM

Hi,

I have a 1991 celica gt manual and I cant find where to check the fluid. It is starting to when shifting from first to second if im above 2k rpm. Any suggestions to help the tranny last longer? And how long do you think it will last if i take it easy.

Thanks in advance,

Colby

RobMilkshakes · 11-10-2009, 02:43 PM

Im not sure what you are saying... I think you may have edited your post and left something out...

but to check the level, its like most other manual transmission. find the transaxle fill plug (NOT DRAIN PLUG), should be on the front of the transaxle, meaning facing the radiator, pointing down at about a 45 degree angle. Its been a while but I think it was a 17mm bolt head? maybe? once you get the fill plug out, stick a finger in. if you can feel he gear oil at the bottom of the fill plug hole, you're set. if not, fill until it begins to run out of the hole. Then put the fill plug back

gorckat · 11-10-2009, 03:26 PM

If you can get the fill plug out, shouldn't you just go for it and change the gear oil entirely?

colbyjenner · 11-10-2009, 03:55 PM

What type of oil do i use in there and is there a filter for it too>?

Thanks,

RobMilkshakes · 11-10-2009, 05:22 PM

nope no filter. its not like an automatic. It should be 75w90 gear oil in there. Currently I am actually using Pennzoil GM synchromesh gear oil though, I saw some speculation on oils to use for worn synchros (my tranny has 160k on it and 3rd gear was grinding on me) and that was mentioned a few times and worked rather well. It not completely gone but if its not a dramatic down shift it slips right in, it only grinds on dramatic downshifts, but I just double clutch those.

What is the actual issue that you are having?

colbyjenner · 11-10-2009, 05:25 PM

my 2nd and no 3rd gears are grinding if i shift when over 2k rpm. So i should change to a special oil to reduce the wear?

thanks,

TBayToyotaBoy · 11-10-2009, 08:44 PM

Using a better gear oil might help you as it did for Rob, but if your synchro(s) is/are going then it's just a matter of time before the transmission needs a replacement or rebuild.

That said, these transmissions (S53) are insanely robust. I recently heard a whining sound in fourth and fifth--when I dropped the fill plug I couldn't feel any fluid in there with my pinky. It was almost bone dry. I filled it with semi-synthetic gear oil, ran it for a day, and drained it again (like a flush). The oil was so filled with metal shavings it looked like a metallic paint. Despite this, it's going strong again with new output shaft seals and with no problems.

Here's a link to what Rob mentioned helped his synchro grind a bit:

http://www.pennzoil.com/documents/Sy...ns%20Fluid.pdf

Semi-synthetics like the one I used (from canadian Tire, but I guess that's not an option for you) can do wonders too. G'luck.

--Tim

RobMilkshakes · 11-10-2009, 10:41 PM

Yeah I know the GM synchromesh is only a bandaid but was honestly surprised at the difference, but if I keep the car around, it'll probably be seeing an engine/transmission swap within the next two years. Looking to get an S54 transmission actually.

Bdub215 · 11-11-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobMilkshakes

nope no filter. its not like an automatic. It should be 75w90 gear oil in there. Currently I am actually using Pennzoil GM synchromesh gear oil though, I saw some speculation on oils to use for worn synchros (my tranny has 160k on it and 3rd gear was grinding on me) and that was mentioned a few times and worked rather well. It not completely gone but if its not a dramatic down shift it slips right in, it only grinds on dramatic downshifts, but I just double clutch those.

What is the actual issue that you are having?

actually it should be two quarts or so of atf though gear oil i think should suffice.
http://rsgear.com/articles/2001_06.pdf page 5

RobMilkshakes · 11-11-2009, 06:57 PM

huh.

I have never seen that recommended before. Every source I've seen so far said 75w90. I know dexron II was what was recommended for my ae92's differential (the diff was actually a seperate compartment on the transaxle of that three speed)

Bdub215 · 11-11-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobMilkshakes

huh.

I have never seen that recommended before. Every source I've seen so far said 75w90. I know dexron II was what was recommended for my ae92's differential (the diff was actually a seperate compartment on the transaxle of that three speed)

i think its in the owner's book as well.

RobMilkshakes · 11-11-2009, 09:52 PM

thats lost somewhere down the line of about 3-4 other owners by now

colbyjenner · 11-14-2009, 09:50 AM

I changed it today and when i opened the fill plug alot of fluid came out. then I drained the rest trough the drain plug. Filled it with 2 quarts of syncromesh and it is working good. Just wanted to make sure 2 quarts is enought because there was alot more than that in there.

Thanks,

Colby

RobMilkshakes · 11-14-2009, 12:30 PM

well did you fill in until the new started pouring back out of the fill hole?

colbyjenner · 11-15-2009, 06:54 AM

I just used the 2 quarts. I had Another issue today when doing reverse donuts in a field. It would just stop going once i hit like 10 15 mph and would act as in nuteral. Once i put it back in nuteral and into reverse it would work but just stops after about 15 mph. Is this a safty feature? Ill buy more syncromesh and just change it out again in a couple weeks.

Thanks,

Colby