Question on manual transmissions & oil

InnerDragon10 · 12-01-2014, 07:48 AM

So I replaced the oil in my rear diff as well as my transmission this weekend. I used Red Line oils, so I bought everything online. Well, I ran out of transmission oil to fill the gearbox up with

. I filled it with 3 quarts and still didn't have any overflowing out. Unfortunately, I had to button it all back up and rush order some oil (arriving today).

I started wondering about how oils circulate in manual transmissions. Is it just a sump that the gears run in, slinging oil around? Anyone have an idea as to how submerged everything is in the box when you have the proper oil level? I'm doing my best not to drive the car until I have the proper oil level in the box, but I'm wondering if I'm at any real risk of starving gearing/bearings if I'm missing less than half a quart (supposedly what it takes to properly fill the gearbox up).

SouthArk370Z · 12-01-2014, 08:35 AM

For short trips at slow speed, being a little low on lube for a few days will not be a problem. I wouldn't make any long trips.

Not sure about how lube is distributed in the 370Z 6MT but the old Ford Toploader had the gears partially submerged and the gears slung the oil to the high places. The FSM should have 'sploded diagrams of the tranny and maybe you can suss it out.

Read T · 12-01-2014, 10:11 AM

You may be able to find it locally if there are any race shops in your town. I'm lucky to live in the heart of NASCAR lol. Any car part I need is a short trip away.

Akurei · 12-01-2014, 11:41 AM

My local Napa Auto Parts had red line. I think what they mean about filling to overfill is that indicates it is full, although you have to let it drain the excess and then plug it up. If you put your finger in the hole, like your pinky and you try to dip your finger down to the oil, if your finger is wet, your golden, if it is only a little bit wet like the tip, then you need to fill more, if nothing at all then yeah.

The FSM and Nissan states 3 quarts fills it up otherwise, so at least through an manufacturer/engineering perspective, you have met the requirements. So don't get too worried, unless you spilled a lot of oil.

12-01-2014, 07:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
InnerDragon10 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA Posts: 90 Drives: '14 Black 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 11	Question on manual transmissions & oil So I replaced the oil in my rear diff as well as my transmission this weekend. I used Red Line oils, so I bought everything online. Well, I ran out of transmission oil to fill the gearbox up with . I filled it with 3 quarts and still didn't have any overflowing out. Unfortunately, I had to button it all back up and rush order some oil (arriving today). I started wondering about how oils circulate in manual transmissions. Is it just a sump that the gears run in, slinging oil around? Anyone have an idea as to how submerged everything is in the box when you have the proper oil level? I'm doing my best not to drive the car until I have the proper oil level in the box, but I'm wondering if I'm at any real risk of starving gearing/bearings if I'm missing less than half a quart (supposedly what it takes to properly fill the gearbox up).

12-01-2014, 08:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	For short trips at slow speed, being a little low on lube for a few days will not be a problem. I wouldn't make any long trips. Not sure about how lube is distributed in the 370Z 6MT but the old Ford Toploader had the gears partially submerged and the gears slung the oil to the high places. The FSM should have 'sploded diagrams of the tranny and maybe you can suss it out. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

12-01-2014, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	You may be able to find it locally if there are any race shops in your town. I'm lucky to live in the heart of NASCAR lol. Any car part I need is a short trip away. TreeSemdyZee likes this. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

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12-01-2014, 11:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Akurei Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: California Posts: 319 Drives: 14 370z Rep Power: 11	My local Napa Auto Parts had red line. I think what they mean about filling to overfill is that indicates it is full, although you have to let it drain the excess and then plug it up. If you put your finger in the hole, like your pinky and you try to dip your finger down to the oil, if your finger is wet, your golden, if it is only a little bit wet like the tip, then you need to fill more, if nothing at all then yeah. The FSM and Nissan states 3 quarts fills it up otherwise, so at least through an manufacturer/engineering perspective, you have met the requirements. So don't get too worried, unless you spilled a lot of oil.