I was going to change my diff oil last weekend but came across a problem, on a test run ( before I drained the oil ) I found that the rear brace bar fouled the access to the filler plug with the Redline bottle. So the only idea I could come up with was putting the oil into an oil can and squirting it in the hole, which would take ages. Is there an easy way that i'm overlooking?? (7/00)
Best way is to use an old washing up liquid bottle (well washed out first - and dry!) and some plastic tube which will fit on the nozzle. Put the oil in the bottle (the top will come off with a little persuasion) Then you can squeeze the bottle with the pipe in the hole, and it's really easy! No way can you pour it in from the top. (7/00)
I found the brace bar got in the way, as did the exhaust, etc. My oil bottle had a pull out thing that *just* let me do the job. I have a length of hose pipe and a funnel for those situations where the bottle nozzle doesn't work. (7/00)
I used a draper sython pump £2.50 from local factors, stick one end in the gearbox/diff the other in the bottle and pump!This method is ok with MTL but from previous experience the pump tends to explode if you try to pump thicker normal oil covering you and the surrounding area with nice new expensive oil! (7/00)
I had the same problem getting the Redline in the gearbox. A quick trip to the local car accessory shop saw the purchase of a metal hand pump with a couple of plastic hoses ... one sucks, the other blows (mmmm.... nice) Simply stick one end in the bottle, the other in the box/diff and a few pumps later, it's done. Cost, from memory, was under a fiver. (7/00)
. have a dodgy Citroen that has oil that comes in 500ml bottles with extended 6" pipes on it (about 6mm diameter).. clean old bottle, fill with Redline .. easy job... .. not much help I'm afraid but the gearbox has exactly the same problem .... .. oh .. a thought .. steal the turkey baster syringe from the kitchen... (7/00)

Is a syphon pump the right thing to be using anyway? Following talk on the list of using them I bought one, intended for emptying aquariums, from the local pet superstore for about eight quid I think.

However I couldn't make any use of it, other than the fact that in the end I used the tubing, combined with suitable funnel and helpful father, to get the gearbox oil in. The obvious trouble is that the syphoning action only works with gravity - you can't syphon upwards! - and there's nowhere under the car you can get your reservoir (bottle of oil) high enough. The 'pump' bit is only to expel air from the tubing to get the syphon action going.

I think it's far easier to recruit a helper for ten minutes and use a funnel and a couple of metres of tubing going down via the engine bay (follow the line of the exhaust manifold). Last time I checked the tubing was available off the reel at the pet shop as well as at the DIY shop (B&Q or similar). Was only about a quid a metre... (7/00)
What grade of oil is best for the diff? (7/00)
Redline 75w90 (that's what it's called) - it's a 75W-90 GL5 oil specially for diffs. OK even if you've got a limited slip (torsen or viscous) diff. (7/00)
Going to do a complete lube change on my car (diff, gearbox and engine). I know for the diff and gearbox, there is one hole for filling up and one hole for discharging. Do you need washers for all the holes, i.e. 5 in total? (6/01)
No, you need 4 - the gearbox filler has a tapered plug with no washer. Diff filler and drain both have washers (and sump plug, obviously) Make sure you get the correct ones - Mazda dealers are good at giving out the wrong size. There are basically three sizes of sump plug washers used on Mazdas. The Mk 1 MX-5 (and Roadster) uses the biggest one, and it fits the four places where you need one. It measures 24.0mm outside diameter, 18.3mm inside diameter Mk 2's use a smaller size on the sump plug, at least. (6/01)