Hard to put into 1st gear when cold.

[Mdriver]

When I start my car and try to put it into 1st gear, I am literally fighting with the stick to force it into 1st gear. I notice that when the car drives for ten minutes, the stick will slide into 1st gear much smoother.

What is the technical explanation for this?

-gabor

[noro]

Do I search.. I have the same issue.. there is ton of info about it. Could be caused by all sorts of clutch retraction pieces. Fork, TO Bearing, Clutch disk, Slave cylinder, Pressure Plate.

My car is going in for this next week

[2002maniac]

Most temperature related transmission problems are have to do with the oil in your tranny.

What tranny oil are you using? Redline MTL should help significantly.

[Mdriver]

As a matter of fact, this Sunday I am putting in new Redline MTL transmission oil. I went over the PO's receipts and I do not see any transmission oil change at all.

Now I need to locate a 17mm hex piece.

[rich_w]

Originally posted by 2002maniac
Most temperature related transmission problems are have to do with the oil in your tranny.

What tranny oil are you using? Redline MTL should help significantly.

Now, I don't want to appear rude. Especially given you are just repeating the oft said information. But I don't tend to subscribe to this "its all down to the oil" fix.

The way I see it, is that when the car was initially launched. Be that Germany, the UK or even the US. I don't recall ANY of the various reviews in magazines or on TV mentioning this fault. And AFAIK BMW never issued a recall campaign to solve cold shifting issues.

So to get back on track, its my opinion that cold shifting problems are NOT a fault that should be cured by running different oils. Sure it will probably have the desired result, but its not the cure, Its a cover up. Especially since I've read (on this very forum) doubts over suitability of this oil if you live in a changeable climate, (read goes down to freezing during the winter) or regarding increased noise from the transmission, possible increased wear problems and a risk of crunching other gears when hot.

If you bought a brand new gearbox from BMW or Gertrag tomorrow, I would not expect it to have any faults whatsoever. IMO Cold shifting difficulty is a mechanical fault thats (probably) manifested itself over time through wear and tear. And the ideal thing would be to investigate.

For example, maybe you'd find the 1st gear synchro ring is damaged and replacing that will cure it.

2p (sterling )

[2002maniac]

The way I see it, is that when the car was initially launched. Be that Germany, the UK or even the US. I don't recall ANY of the various reviews in magazines or on TV mentioning this fault. And AFAIK BMW never issued a recall campaign to solve cold shifting issues.

When thy were reased they didnt have 15 year old ATF in them like his might.

[rich_w]

Originally posted by 2002maniac
When thy were reased they didnt have 15 year old ATF in them like his might.

That's exactly my point. :D

His gearbox has done 15 years and X number of miles. So whilst replacing the oil for the 75/90 stuff, may help cure the shifting issue. It doesnt actually address the issue that the internals of the gearbox are worn. And they should be inspected.

[voltron88x]

I have the same issue... How many quarts do our trannys require?

[///Mflossin]

I haven't met a German gearbox yet that likes to go into any gear when cold.

[rich_w]

Originally posted by ///Mflossin
I haven't met a German gearbox yet that likes to go into any gear when cold.

Have to say our experiences differ then. I have dealt with hundreds of VAG vehicles and its not a common occurance within their range. Going back to the age of the Mark 2 Golf.

Leaks certainly. Sloppy linkages even. But not difficulty in selecting gears.

[///Mflossin]

I have NEVER seen/felt a VAG box, NEW or OLD that liked to get into first when cold.

[2002maniac]

Originally posted by rich_w
That's exactly my point. :D

His gearbox has done 15 years and X number of miles. So whilst replacing the oil for the 75/90 stuff, may help cure the shifting issue. It doesnt actually address the issue that the internals of the gearbox are worn. And they should be inspected.

I think changing his fluid period would help his problem. I just suggested MTL because it has worked well for me in all my cars.

[TheModernMtnMan]

First off lets not fight, second off yes this is probebly a worn out 1st gear synchro ring, third yes changeing the fluid will help, and finally changing the fluid is much faster, cheaper, and easier that inspecting the tranny and most likely changing the worn out 1st gear synchro ring. BTW to who ever may be changing their tranny fuild remember FIRST take out the FILL plug and THEN the drain plug, also you will need a VERY short 17mm hex and the capacity is between 1.0 and 2.0 quarts.

[///Mflossin]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TheModernMtnMan
First off lets not fight, second off yes this is probebly a worn out 1st gear synchro ring[QUOTE]

I never got the impression that anybody was/is fighting? What makes you say that it's probably a worn ring? It could just as easily be fluid, slave cylinder, linkage, pressure plate or just plain cold...which I believe was the original intent of the post. The car is hard to put in gear when it's COLD. I guess cold is relative but mechanically....NOTHING that moves like to be cold.

[ogi///M3]

gabor,
have you solved your problem yet? I have the same problem, but it's when I change to 2nd gear @ over 2000 rpm..it grinds really bad. I know it's the syncro that's gone. I'm putting the new used tranny I bought from bennetts22 next week. if you need to change your 1st gear let me know. I might sell my old tranny for cheap. the rest of the gears shifts very well.
Ogi.