Hi folks. My 1993 car has developed a bearing-type noise which gets worse with acceleration. It's not too bad at the moment but I guess it will get worse. (The car has only done 43,000 miles). I thought it was a wheel bearing but my garage mechanic says it's not. He reckons it could be the automatic gearbox because there is no noise when moving in neutral. Is there anything else it might be (perhaps something a lot less expensive)?. Has anyone solved a similar problem?
If it is the gearbox, does any other Mazda car use the same auto box? I guess a good one will be hard to find.

Roger.

Hi,
I believe the auto version of the early MX3 used the same gearbox, but they are quite rare.

If you need one then buy another BG auto, they are quite cheap!

Thanks jinglebells. I probably would do that but BG autos are also quite rare.

Then convert it to a manual :P

[quote="strathmore22"]Thanks jinglebells. I probably would do that but BG autos are also quite rare.[/quote]

There's one BG auto on a well-known auto-trading web site now for £245 ... not a recommendation though because I haven't seen the car, but just an example of how much they are when they come up for sale - and that one is claimed to have an MoT and tax, and is from a trader!

Many thanks M4iden and jinglebells. I prefer autos so wouldn't consider changing to manual. Thanks for the info about one for sale. I'll try and find that.

Hi jinglebells. I haven't been able to find the one you mention. Can you tell me the website?

[quote="strathmore22"]Hi jinglebells. I haven't been able to find the one you mention. Can you tell me the website?[/quote]

It's the well-known one with "Auto" and "Trader" and ".co.uk" in the name, but I couldn't possibly advertise it .. that would probably bend the Forum rules ??

Just checked and the car is still on there, it's in Hayes Middlesex.

If you search by "Mazda" then "323" then "under £1000" you should find it quite quickly.

Many thanks jinglebells. I've found it now. I will look into it next week if they still have it, although it's nearly 100 miles from Bristol where I am.

Hi jinglebells.

I didn't buy the car as the costs of buying and having the gearboxes transferred
didn't make sense.

I drained the gearbox and the oil was black, so I refilled it. However, as you probably know, when you drain an auto gearbox only about a quarter of the oil comes out, so when I drained it again after driving it a few miles it was still black. I kept on doing this and every time I did it the noise reduced noticeably. After 5 times the noise is now practically gone. I will continue doing this until the oil is really clean, then add some Xado which I hope will preserve it in case there is some problem which I can't hear.

Thanks for your interest.

Roger.

ok, I'm pleased you're getting it sorted, thank you for the update.

Hi folks.

Pleased to say Xado removed the last traces of any noise.

Can you tell us how much oil you went through doing this rolling change?

I used two 5 litre cans of oil.

Thanks, that's make my life a lot easier to plan.