Changing into 3rd gear

[arashyyy_88]

Hello guys,

I want to know whether anyone experiences the problem of not being able to change into 3rd gear when pretty much giving it in the mazda 3 mps. E.g. trying to change into 3rd gear when 5k-6k revs. Almost everytime I try and change into 3rd when I am accelerating hard, it never goes into 3rd. It is like it hits a brick wall. I had the EXACT problem when I had a 2008 mps in the past. And now I am suffering from the same thing in this 2008 mps 3 that I have now.

Am I doing something wrong? I have never had this problem in any of my other cars such as mini coopers, wrx etc.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW sorry if this thread is in the wrong forum. Didn't know where else to put it

[kh92]

I had this problem when I would give it hard on gear 1 and trying to change to gear 2, it would grind.. this was in an 280rkw S15 though

[darkness]

if you'd read around on the forums, you'd see this is one of the reasons the rear engine mount is changed. The original mount is quite soft allowing the engine/gearbox to twist probably a little too much.

I've had the same problem, and the engine mount helped a lot.

[arashyyy_88]

Thanks for the reply guys. I think that is pretty stupid that we have to replace an engine mount to rectify a problem like this. At the end of a day, it is a sports car and I am surprised Mazda never done anything to rectify this problem.

How much does an engine mount cost roughly and wheres the best place in sydney to get it installed maybe? Does it affect warranty?

Thanks

[mech81]

The normal engine mounts quite soft. U will notice some vibrations from the engine after changing over to a aftermarket one. About cost and which ones to get, i've added some links here to give you a head start. Search is your best friend here and the forum staff here have improved the search function tremendously.. Most of the time fitting an aftermarket one shouldnt void your warranty as the dealers know how crap the engine mounts are so if you change it there's one less thing they need to worry about instead of getting a car later with the engine halfway out the below end. See how you go with these links...

Engine mounts ??
CPE 60duro rear engine mount installed (rough install guide and impressions)
Improving my shift
Rear Engine Mount !!!!!!!

[arashyyy_88]

You are a legend mech81. Many thanks for those helpful links lol. And I completely agree with everything you wrote. I will try to get my hands on one. Don't know where but hopefully it doesn't cost that much.

cheers dude

[Caffeine Fiend]

The MPS is a performance car, but it's still based on a mass market car (Mazda 3). So there are always going to be some compromises in that respect, both to retain mass market appeal, and also to ensure cost remains competitive with the rest of the market.


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[kccortez]

I had exactly your problem till yesterday. Would either crunch or get locked out at WOT at 5000rpm plus.

I have changed to a cpe motor mount which made shifts alot nicer but did not fix the problem. Even tried the ssp but this made it even worse( yes i adjusted the shifter cable, for hours).
It all helped gear changes but didn't not help my 3rd gear lockout/crunch.

This was the worst part of the car, almost 200 fwkw and a cluncky and fussy gearbox.

Yesterday i changed my gearbox fluid. After reading on us forums and here i thought bugger it, I bought castrol vmx80 from supercheap and changed the oil.

WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS EARLIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a new gearbox! No WOT crunch or lockout! And the shifts, oh my god so smooth and alot less notchy. I'm actually starting to fall in love with the car again and all for $50.

So easy to do and the best mod i have done to the car by far!!!!

Change your gearbox oil!!!

[Crayon]

Yeah ima going to have to sort out my gb oil too I think - very crunchy into 2nd at any revs.. Though not too bad for the rest.
Next service!! (I dont have anywhere to do it myself)

[Lachlan]

I had exactly your problem till yesterday. Would either crunch or get locked out at WOT at 5000rpm plus.

I have changed to a cpe motor mount which made shifts alot nicer but did not fix the problem. Even tried the ssp but this made it even worse( yes i adjusted the shifter cable, for hours).
It all helped gear changes but didn't not help my 3rd gear lockout/crunch.

This was the worst part of the car, almost 200 fwkw and a cluncky and fussy gearbox.

Yesterday i changed my gearbox fluid. After reading on us forums and here i thought bugger it, I bought castrol vmx80 from supercheap and changed the oil.

WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS EARLIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a new gearbox! No WOT crunch or lockout! And the shifts, oh my god so smooth and alot less notchy. I'm actually starting to fall in love with the car again and all for $50.

So easy to do and the best mod i have done to the car by far!!!!

Change your gearbox oil!!!

+1
The vmx80 is brilliant. No 'Wong Wong' diff noise either


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