6 speed transmission question for ya

Hello again, This is a question about the "ease" of shifting, when first driving (example: this being after Axel is sitting in the garage all night), being very hard. Like the clutch isn't all the way engaged; I push the clutch peddle all the way down, and I have to pull really hard to get into second, third gear. It is also very hard to down shift, to third - second gear, and almost can't get into first gear. After about four minutes, or so, (maybe the fluid is warmer) the shifting is "back to the should", and there is no issues the rest of the day. (by the way, temperture around here is in the high 40s to low 50s over night, so it really isn't that cold) So, question is; does the clutch need to be bleed? Does the transmission fluid need to be warm? Do I need to replace the fluid, if so, what's best? OR, is there something else? Thanks for your time, Patrick

Fluid needs to be warm. 40 - 50F is cold for tranny fluid. If you have never changed the fluid, you might consider it.

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Ding....WINNAR! Warm fluid / parts makes ALL the difference. C.

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My car shifts fine and easy until temp reaches around zero then starts to get sluggish on initial start. I would change fluid (cheap) and see if that helps. Make sure you have the right amount of fluid in it also for the synchros. 2.7 liters or to the fill hole when car is resting on level ground. Synchro's when not spinning free may be a culprit (expensive - rebuild) When you say hard to shift, do you mean really hard, like pull on the thing or just slight friction drag? Synchros always work better when warm even when they are wearing, so I agree with the above resonses, but at 40-50 degrees the car should shift fine right from start. Really hard to know for sure unless you have a specialist test drive the baby. Good Luck!

Yes, the clearances and tolerances of the slider hub/ syncros need to be at operating temp to efficiently syncronized the next gear you are engaging. My theory is that the brass syncros expand more than the steel hub does, so when cold, it does not have the interference friction that it would once expanded.

Thanks ya'll, Okay, so warm = better shift; I understand that, but with all my other 6 speeds (90 Corvette, 95 Corvette, 91 850i BMW) I never had this problem?? "gregorycarl" your wrote "when you say had to shift?"; what it's like is very hard, all most can't get it into higher/lower gear. There is no grinding, but I really do have to "push/pull" shifter ****, so I just get Axel rolling then put transmission into neutral until I get to the bottom of my hill (takes about two to three minutes if I just coast) and then get on main drive and the shift into second is a little 'hard' then it's okay after that. I know that there is info on fluid type but what is the "best" ya'll recommend to put in? Axel has a little over 55,000 miles and I don't think the fluid has been changed. Thanks again for your replies,

Transmission fluid at a temperture of 40-50F is very cold and will always make it harder to shift. Remember that you have a a 90 weight oil in there. You may also hear the gears engaguing while the trany is cold. Many componants are quite loose until warm up. Sitting in neutral for a few minutes with the clutch engaged will help warm it up if you don't want to drive it right away. Shifting quickly with a cold transmission can do as much damage as would reving your engine while cold.

i can't see how you guys would even have the notchier shifting be an issue on a cold start. are you guys running away from the police straight outta the garage or something? you should be easy on the car under 4RPMs per porsche (actually keep it under 3K) until everything gets up to temp and don't go by the temp gauge alone. only after a good 5+miles do I open it up and by that time, the shifts are great and this is coming from a guy who put 60K miles on an s2000 which has the best shift action in all of automotivedom.

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I would take it in and have it looked at. Sorry, I can't be of further assistance on the diagnosis. It obviously is not a fluid temperature problem if you are having that much trouble at 40-50 degrees. It may be a "fluid level" problem though...once you get it moving a bit the low level is up and working and is easier to shift...just a hunch. I would wait for a few more responses to see if anyone else has had this same exact problem.

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Ben, I assure you that I don't "run hard on a cold start"! What I'm talking about is this: I start the engine, push the garage door opener to open the door, put the clutch in, and have to 'force' into first gear, drive (slow) out of the garage, stop and push the garage door opener again to close door, then with the clutch still in, let the car coast down my drive way - onto the drive leading out of my housing area (then move transmission into neutral), until I get to the bottom of the hil (about two miles), then stop at stop sign put in first gear and proceed on to the highway. Even then I never get the RPMs over 3 grand. So, all this hard shifting question is at very low - non speeds. One thing I didn't know (as compaired to the other 6 speed transmissions) [these used 30 weight oils], is that the oil weight is much heaver (like in my old Corvettes and Impalas). I thank you for your input, I hope I've explained myself better. Patrick

Something sounds wrong. Yes, the low temperature will increase the effort for shifts, but it sounds like engaging gears is actually difficult as opposed to slightly stiffer. My car has sat outside during my work day in temperatures well below freezing. It's never been hard to engage a gear. Is it easier at operating temperature, yes. But I never have to force it like you're describing. I'd start with new fluid and go from there.

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Thanks, that is my plan......anyone recommend what brand is best (as in, those of you that have done the changing of transmission fluid)? Patrick

Your shift cable might need adjustement... you shouldnt have to force any shifting at all when cold

Just use the Shell transaxle Lube. Get 3 liters from dealer for about $90.

The f-car transmission is 10 times worst shifting when cold, you almost can't get into 2nd when it is cold. So I follow the old school method of 1st - 3rd until the tranny is warmed up, then it is buttery smooth. My 996 transmission shifts a lot better regardless of temp compared to my 993, I have been very happy with how it shifts. Depending on the outside temp I still follow the 1st-3rd method.

Thanks again ya'll, As I've already stated, I think I'll change the transmission fluid (and look at all the cables) and see what happens. Your replies have been very helpful, Respectfully, Patrick