How-to: Transmission magnetic drain plug and fluid change

[RallySportDirect]

Transmission Fluid and Dimple Magnetic Drain Plug


There have been alot of questions about the drain plug size for the MS3 but I've never found an answer so I figured now would be a good time to get some high performance fluid and toss in a Dimple Magnetic drain plug.

I tossed in Motul Gear 300 oil since Motul is known for making some of the best oils on the market and we've had awesome results especially with this gear fluid.





Here is the drain plug once you get the under panel removed from your car. You'll need a 24mm sock and wrench to get this out. You'll also need the 24mm to remove the fill plug.

Drain plug:


Fill Plug:





Here is the Dimple M18x1.5x12 on the left and the stock fill and drain plugs on the right and middle.






I opted to reuse the factory drain plug washer in place of the one that Dimple includes since it is much beefier.






Once the fluid is drained install the Dimple drain plug ensure you torque it down properly.

Dimple Drain Plug Socket Size is 17mm
Tightening torque
28-S0 N·m {2.9-S.1 kgf·m, 21-37 ft·lbf}

Fill the new fluid while the car is level and only fill it to the bottom of the fill hole. Torque the fill plug down reinstall your under tray and you are done.
What is really cool is you don't need any special funnel or hoses to fill the transmission with Motul. Their bottles actually have a built in next that extends once you open the bottle and I was able to feed it to the fill hole and squeeze the fluid in very easily.




Manual transaxle oil capacity (approx.
quantity)
2.4-2.6 L {2.6-2.7 US qt, 2.12-2.28 Imp qt}


Thanks,
Tanner

For more information click here:



For more information click here:

[[R]usty]

Any LSD noise with Motul?

[RallySportDirect]

Originally Posted by rustysurfsa Any LSD noise with Motul?

No changes on my car from the stock fluid to the Motul. I could hear the LSD a tiny bit before and after.

[pixelNate]

I am about to change my transmission fluid and I just want to say thanks for this quick write-up. Thinking about getting one of those drain plugs as well.

[RallySportDirect]

Originally Posted by pixelNate I am about to change my transmission fluid and I just want to say thanks for this quick write-up. Thinking about getting one of those drain plugs as well.

You are welcome sir. I appreciate the feedback

[pixelNate]

Originally Posted by RallySportDirect You are welcome sir. I appreciate the feedback

Ordered the plug this morning. Using the magical Ford unicorn juice, though.

[RallySportDirect]

Originally Posted by pixelNate Ordered the plug this morning. Using the magical Ford unicorn juice, though.

Will you be swapping from stock fluid to the Fomoco juice or do you have something else in there at the moment you are swapping to go to Fomoco?

[pixelNate]

Swapping from stock to Fomoco.

Tappa who?

[BPASPEED]

Although an old thread, a very useful thread. Thanks @RallySportDirect;

[ABOSWORTH]

Nice write up. I plan I swapping with this or the fomoco juice soon but I have a question. How are you supposed to fill it only when the car is level without a lift? Even at stock height, there is no way I could access the fill plug unless the car was on jack stands. If you just use 4 jack stands to keep it level, what points are you using to support the car because I can't imagine that it would be perfectly level when supported on stands.

[BPASPEED]

Originally Posted by ABOSWORTH Nice write up. I plan I swapping with this or the fomoco juice soon but I have a question. How are you supposed to fill it only when the car is level without a lift? Even at stock height, there is no way I could access the fill plug unless the car was on jack stands. If you just use 4 jack stands to keep it level, what points are you using to support the car because I can't imagine that it would be perfectly level when supported on stands.

$5 at autozone. No lift or jack stands needed.

[ABOSWORTH]

Originally Posted by BPASPEED $5 at autozone. No lift or jack stands needed.

Really? You can get far enough under the car to pull the two plugs and then fill it with that thing without jacking the car up?

[BPASPEED]

Originally Posted by ABOSWORTH Really? You can get far enough under the car to pull the two plugs and then fill it with that thing without jacking the car up?

You said fill. If you followed institutions it says to drain the tranny, replace the drain plug, then while the car is leveled to fill with fluid. I used a jack to remove the plugs, replaced the draing plug, lowered car, THEN filled the tranny with fluid from the top.

[motoman]

To add to this thread...

I bought one of those funnels above, very handy. From the top of the engine bay I was able to feed the tube into the fill hole. It helps that I have the CS SRI installed. I don't think you'd be able to do it with the stock air box. I still had the car jacked up with a drain pan under the fill hole.

I was able to rest the funnel between the air filter and battery box and the tube stayed in the fill hole well. So that funnel was now hands free. To make it easier to pour the fluid, I used a second funnel to feed the tubed funnel. It was an extension, if you will. It worked flawlessly.

When the tranny was full I could see and hear it dripping onto the drain pan. So I stopped and then put in the Dimple magnetic plug.

By the way, for those not familiar with how to remove the under body panel, it's easy. I think it's 7 bolts and 5 screws. There is a pain in the ass plastic push connector up front in the middle. I have no idea how to get that thing out properly, so I just broke it off and replaced it with a zip tie. Much easier that way.

[BPASPEED]

Originally Posted by motoman To add to this thread... I bought one of those funnels above, very handy. From the top of the engine bay I was able to feed the tube into the fill hole. It helps that I have the CS SRI installed. I don't think you'd be able to do it with the stock air box. I still had the car jacked up with a drain pan under the fill hole. I was able to rest the funnel between the air filter and battery box and the tube stayed in the fill hole well. So that funnel was now hands free. To make it easier to pour the fluid, I used a second funnel to feed the tubed funnel. It was an extension, if you will. It worked flawlessly. When the tranny was full I could see and hear it dripping onto the drain pan. So I stopped and then put in the Dimple magnetic plug. By the way, for those not familiar with how to remove the under body panel, it's easy. I think it's 7 bolts and 5 screws. There is a pain in the ass plastic push connector up front in the middle. I have no idea how to get that thing out properly, so I just broke it off and replaced it with a zip tie. Much easier that way.

I'm glad my funnel input was usefull for you. I hope you put the dimple magnetic plug on the right side, it goes on the drain plug side, not the fill plug side.

[someguy]

Originally Posted by ABOSWORTH Nice write up. I plan I swapping with this or the fomoco juice soon but I have a question. How are you supposed to fill it only when the car is level without a lift? Even at stock height, there is no way I could access the fill plug unless the car was on jack stands. If you just use 4 jack stands to keep it level, what points are you using to support the car because I can't imagine that it would be perfectly level when supported on stands.

Not sure if you got to this yet but...put the car on jack stands at the front. Do everything like that, fill up the trans, it will slightly overfill because of the angle the car is on, and then take your jack around to the rear center jack point and lift it up until level, let the fluid dribble out and you'll have the perfect fill. Then just lower the rear again, plug it up and all good.



Also, it wasn't mentioned but ALWAYS take the fill plug out first. That way if you can't get it out or some shit happens, you aren't stuck with an empty transmission.

[motoman]

Originally Posted by BPASPEED I'm glad my funnel input was usefull for you. I hope you put the dimple magnetic plug on the right side, it goes on the drain plug side, not the fill plug side.

I replaced both with Dimples. Same sized plug for both.

[iSmile]

Where can order online Dimpes 17mm bolts?

[motoman]

Originally Posted by iSmile Where can order online Dimpes 17mm bolts?

From the Dimple website.

[iSmile]

Originally Posted by motoman From the Dimple website.

Send link me to PM.
Thanks!

[motoman]

Not to be a dick, but you could have used every search engine available to find the link in the time it took you to post your last two posts.

[krimsonviper]

Sorry for reviving dead thread.

Thank you for making this thread, but I have a question. Manual says to use something lower than 90 viscosity. Is there a reason to use a higher viscosity?