Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Mazda gearbox turret oil change

This subject seems to be fairly well covered on the Mazda MX5 website. A poultry baster seems to be the chosen method for getting the old oil out and new clean oil in, possibly doing a couple of fills and extractions so as to ensure the turret internals are cleaned. Same oil as the gearbox seems to be what's used.
My question: what's involved in removing the Morgan transmission cover in order to access the turret, do the seats need to be removed, is there anything else to check / adjust / lubricate while you're in there.
It appears that the turret can function satisfactorily for a long time without attention but at 6 years old I'd like to have look at mine.
Any tips or pointers appreciated

The transmission housing more than likely has service I section plates allowing access, if you unpopper the leather covering it should allow you to see if that is the case. The tunnel screws to the floor and bulkhead.

As for draining with an oil baster? surely a pela marine pump would be better?

Are you sure it has one in the Morgan?

I have a vague memory that the remote linkage is different.

My recommendation is don't even think about it. It is not designed to be a service item and unless you have done a zillion gear changes over a zillion miles it does not need changing.

If you really insist it is a matter of removing the the carpets, removing the gear knob, removing the leather cover off the gearbox cover, removing the seats (first unplug the seat belt sensor wire) , peeling the leather off the transmission tunnel (it is glued), removing the transmission tunnel (Morgan in their wisdom fitted it over the back of the gearbox case) .

Then the fun starts! Remove all the screws on the gearbox cover, then struggle and swear to free the mastic that effectively glues it in place. That is when you discover that you can't actually remove the gearbox cover because the bottom of the heater air box is in the road. At the factory I understand that they remove the heater box. You may be lucky and be able to force it off by lifting at the back and pulling and risking a bit of damage. I couldn't get mine off. With the cover propped up and arms like an octopus you can then remove the remote, if a Plus 4, or whatever a 4/4 uses. You can then expect a bit of swearing as you clean the spilt oil off the carpet that is fixed in the under seat area.

Having done all that you can faff around with the oil of your choice and then reverse the procedure. Oh! Don't forget that you will need new gaskets.

I know all this because I had a gearbox problem that eventually required removal of the entire gearbox.

I don't anticipate ever changing the oil in the top of the gearbox. After my experience, at the very most, I would only do it if the gearbox has to come out.

All I can say if you decide to do it is "Good luck and keep smiling."

PS. It is a bl**dy awful bit of design that could be fixed with 2 minutes of thought and a bit of tha very rare common sense

Many Triumphs were built like that, including the Dolomite.

The grey mastic around the gearbox cover was legendary......

An unforgettable job.............

That was to stop them falling apart within the first couple of miles Dave

Some information on MX5 gearboxes

The gearbox that Morgan use is from the 5 speed Mk3 MX5.

There have been virtually no issues with the 5 speed unit made by Mazda for the Mk3 when fitted in MX5's. 2005 to 2015.

I believe the UK supplier of these boxes to Morgan do indeed modify them for use in Morgans, therefore checking out the MX5 forums may or may not be that much use depending on what the supplier has changed on the transmission.

There were gear change issues usually when cold with the 6 speed box in the MK3 that was made by Asian which were usually solved by replacing the gearbox oil with Redline MT90 or Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle, this box had a selector chamber with oil in it and some owners have replaced a plastic collar and changed oil with some good results and others with no improvement. 2005 2015. This box is not used by Morgan.

There are issues in the MK1 and MK2 5 speed box selector and the gear change was improved by replacing a selector chamber boot and a plastic collar and while you are in the selector gubbins the oil is changed. 1989 to 2005. Again not used by Morgan.

There were also issues with the Asian manufactured 6 speed box installed in certain high spec MK2 and Mk2.5 cars, these did not have any oil held in the selector chamber as it was open to the gearbox. The main fix there was to replace the gearbox oil with either Redline MT90, Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle or a Ford gear oil that I do not have the details of. 1989 to 2005. Again not used by Morgan.

The gearbox on the MK4 or ND has had quite a few issues and is now on to revision 4. Mazda have had to change a number of the boxes in the UK. Europe and the US. Again not used by Morgan.2015 to present.

Thanks for that detailed explanation Eddie, I was beginning to think I was remiss in not doing this work. I am now very happy to leave well along.

Is there a difference between the MX5 gearbox installed in the +4 and that in the 4/4?

Pop down to the factory Paul and let us know whet you find!!

I suspect not, but you never know.