Transmission Breather, crack pressure?!?!

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 3 Transmission/Drivetrain' started by Mauro_Penguin, Oct 28, 2017.

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  1. JohnnyTightlips

    JohnnyTightlips Motorhead Silver Member

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    Thank you for this thread. My trans was leaking and I had just rebuilt it. Thought maybe I had messed up the RTV. Decided to add some more fluid as I thought maybe it needed more "side note full rebuild needs close to 4qts to fill" When I removed the fill cap I could hear air coming out for a good 2 seconds. I am sure this was not helping with the leaks. I decided to to do your AL mod to the breather. Now that the car shifts easier. I must have just gotten used to it over time and did not notice it was getting harder to get it into gear. Its like new again!
     
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  2. Db09ms3

    Db09ms3 Silver Member

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    Checking in to report that my breather was stuck closed. Been chasing a leak by the speed sensor and reverse switch sensors. Replaced the crush washers, no dice. I just poked a hole in the rubber and we'll see what happens.
     
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  3. JohnnyTightlips

    JohnnyTightlips Motorhead Silver Member

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    Good deal I have not had a single leak since fixing my breather.
     
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  4. jsilva

    jsilva Silver Member

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    I have been having issues with fluid being on the top of my transmission (MS6). I wondered if it was the breather valve and I came across this thread.

    When I removed the rubber piece I heard some air. I poked a hole in the rubber piece and it’s either fixed the problem or at least made it substantially better.

    I’m curious how the OP and JohnnyTightlips made the aluminium replacement. How thick the metal? What tools to cut it to shape?
     
  5. JohnnyTightlips

    JohnnyTightlips Motorhead Silver Member

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    I think it was just a but of soda can and I just used regular scissors to cut it. It really only needs to keep moisture out as far as I know so it doesn't need to form a great seal. It is more important that it is working to let pressure out for when the fluid warms up otherwise it finds other places to leak out.
     
  6. jsilva

    jsilva Silver Member

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    Do you think it’s an issue just leaving a hole in the rubber? The hole is small (maybe 2mm) but I wondered if condensation might find it’s way in.
     
  7. SharksInSpace

    SharksInSpace Planets and shit. Silver Member

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    I cut a piece out of a PBR can, lol. Haven't noticed any adverse effects. It does seem to have eased up on pushing transmission fluid out of the axle seal since I changed it, I think.
     
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  8. jsilva

    jsilva Silver Member

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    Thanks! Mine was coming out of the top, whether it be the breather valve itself or the pivot shaft thingy I’m not sure.

    Hopefully mine is fixed, I just wasn’t sure if it was ok to leave in the rubber piece with a hole.
     
  9. Db09ms3

    Db09ms3 Silver Member

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    No more leaks for me with the small hole I punched in the rubber. I'll leave mine that way for meow.
     
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  10. Mauro_Penguin

    Mauro_Penguin Punk in Drublic. #BlackLivesMatter Motorhead Platinum Member

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    The top cap of the breather valve holds it tight on the mating flange. You would need to submerse your MS6 in probably 2 feet of water before waters creeps upward into that hole.

    I used some aluminum sheeting that I had leftover from other projects. It was maybe 0.5mm thick and I cut it with tin snips. Soda/beer could work as well
     
    Mauro_Penguin, via a mobile device, Apr 13, 2021
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  11. jsilva

    jsilva Silver Member

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    Although it’s a lot better, it looks like fluid is still coming out some (I had completely dried it before I went out):

    C1AA8FD7-DEA8-4763-B06B-09A5E920999A.jpeg

    Previously those recessed areas would entirely fill up with fluid, so it’s a lot better. As you can see now it just has a bit.

    But I wonder if it’s coming out of the breather valve or somewhere else, and if replacing the breather valve would be a good idea?
     
  12. JohnnyTightlips

    JohnnyTightlips Motorhead Silver Member

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    The pivot shaft seal likes to leak as well. That is a common failure.
    https://mazdaspeeds.org/index.php?t...haft-seal-bearing-breather-replacement.10062/
     
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  13. jsilva

    jsilva Silver Member

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  14. jsilva

    jsilva Silver Member

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    I ordered the parts as described in Johnny’s thread. I’m not seeing any more fluid on the top of the transmission but interestingly to do smell transmission fluid sometimes when driving.

    I just happened to order a wireless camera (for diagnosing issues in tight spaces) so I think I’ll attach it and have a look at the breather valve area while driving.
     
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