iloveporsches

Yesterday when I was driving around, I noticed something that seemed strange to me. When I shift into either 2nd or 3rd, there's a slight resistance right before it gets into the gear. It's just for maybe .5mm, and doesn't make any noise. It just felt weird.

There's no problem going into 1st, 4th, or 5th. The shifter doesn't vibrate, there's no noise, no play in the clutch or the shifter. This is the first manual car I've driven, so I'm not quite sure what to expect.

Also, once when shifting into 3rd, there was a slight grinding of the gears. It only lasted for a very short time, and I'm not sure if it's even related to this (or another problem entirely), or me just having a lazy foot and not getting the clutch down all the way that time.

JLeake

It's possible your syncros are starting to go out, but it's odd that all of a sudden you feel the resistance in two gears. I think it's unlikely that two would start to go out at once. Perhaps the cool weather is making your oil more viscous resulting in the change in feeling. I'm no tranny expert, so take my opinion for what it's worth.

Z-man

Our trannies are quite notchy compared to other shifters, and this is especially evident in the 1-2 shift. Colder weather only compounds this notchiness.

I recommend swapping out your tranny fluid to a synthetic oil: swepco makes a great synthetic tranny fluid. That should help the notchiness.

If I drive my 944 on real cold days, I will double clutch from first to second. That also helps alot.

Regards,
-Z-man.

FSTPRSH

May or may not apply, but before my linkage screwed up, I noticed a resistance from either 1-2 or from 3-2. Only when going into second I noticed it, then my linkage crapped out and I had no gears, thank goodness it happened after I was in a parking space at school.

iloveporsches

[quote]Originally posted by Z-man:
<strong>Our trannies are quite notchy compared to other shifters, and this is especially evident in the 1-2 shift. Colder weather only compounds this notchiness.

I recommend swapping out your tranny fluid to a synthetic oil: swepco makes a great synthetic tranny fluid. That should help the notchiness.

If I drive my 944 on real cold days, I will double clutch from first to second. That also helps alot.

Regards,
-Z-man.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Notchy! There's the word I was looking for!

Well, it has gotten relatively cold here lately. How much does tranny fluid cost, and how hard is it to change?

FST-I wouldn't really say it's any signifigant resistance, it's just...uh, 'notchy'

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

SoCal Driver

Think about the linkage. There are several bolts that connect the long link from the shifter to the trans. Seen the lateral link bolts come loose as well as the linear coupling.

You can get to them from the drivers side of the trans. They are on the top. One in front of the axle the lateral is behind the axle.

Check them!

Also do the synthetic lube thing.

early85944

Not to scare you but when was the last time your clutch was changed?

944Play

[quote]Originally posted by iloveporsches:
How much does tranny fluid cost, and how hard is it to change?
<hr></blockquote>

<a href="http://www.tech-session.com/Paragon/Tech/944_transaxle_fluid_change.htm" target="_blank">Here</a> is some good info on trans fluid changing. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Ahmet

Why/how do you 'doubleclutch' into second, out of first?
Ahmet

Hans

[quote]944play: Here is some good info on trans fluid changing <hr></blockquote>Procedure is good, but you should add following to it:
- Check hex size of BOTH drain & fill plug before you do anything. They seem to come in both 17 mm and 17,5 mm, mixed at random.
- Get the right size tool (alan socket preferred), not a crappy half fit and dont try the 17 mm with the 17,5 mm plug.
If required, make something from a extra high nut or so. The fit in the plug should be tight.

- Then: UNDO THD FILL PLUG FIRST.
If an (insert proper word here) idiot has over-tightened the plugs in the past you will have a lot of trouble getting these out.
I think it is wise to be sure that you can re-fill before you attempt to drain.

The tranny oil will warm up pretty soon, the problem should be gone when everything is on operating temperature.
If not, low tranny oil level can do funny things.

Since you have the problem with two gears, it might be advisable to have the clutch checked.
TakeCare

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by over1g:
<strong>Why/how do you 'doubleclutch' into second, out of first?
Ahmet</strong><hr></blockquote>
How:
When ready to shift from 1st to 2nd:
Clutch in, move shifter from 1st to neutral.
Clutch out. (Keep shifter in neutral)
Clutch in, select 2nd gear.

Why?
-Less stress on the clutch.
-Lines up some-thingy in the system (Gotta love my technical description: syncros? throw-out bearing? Not sure... )
-Eliminates a lot of the notchiness of the 1-2 shift that I get when my car is really cold.

Note: I don't do this technique ALL the time, only on the first 5 minutes (1 or 2 shifts) on a really cold day. All other times, I shift normally.

And yes, double clutching will slow you down in the 1-2 upshift. But on cold mornings, you should be taking it easy anyway!

Here in NJ it can get pretty cold: not sure if it's cold enough in the 'Carolinas where this would make any difference...

Hope that explains it.
-Zoltan.

OC Porsche

I have seen the same thing here in FL. It is starting to get cool in the mornings (high 50's), and specifically between 1st and 2nd there's a slight hang/bump/notch. Usually helps if I let the car warm up for 30 seconds more than normal, then the first couple of shifts hang in 1st a bit longer and double clutch. Never had the grinding though.

my .02

Peckster

My old S was a little notchy shifting up, but didn't get any worse, until my clutch master started to go. Changes are a good indication you need to do something.

Downshifting resistance in ower gears on my current 951 is probably due to worn syncromesh problems, and seems it be worse in colder weather when the car is still cold. I expect it will get better bext spring. The lower gears are changed a lot more, so it would seem to make sense that their syncromeshes would wear faster.

Re: double clutching advice--When ready to shift from 1st to 2nd:
Clutch in, move shifter from 1st to neutral.
Clutch out. (Keep shifter in neutral)
Clutch in, select 2nd gear.

When the syncros get worse, it helps to rev the engine slightly during step 2.

Ahmet

I understand the process of double clutching, I pictured giving it gas---to upshift! ofcourse that'd be a little wrong... Anyway, I use shockproof racing fluid (redline), and no notchiness on my 185k 951 at all on the coldest mornings in the carolinas (the coldest this car has seen would be around 35 degrees so far).

I do doubleclutch sometimes, but never on an upshift. You're giving the syncros more time, and letting the revs drop some more but I don't think this helps in any other way (whereas double de-clutching during downshifts does help the syncros by getting the speed of the pinion closer to that of the gear).
Ahmet

Peckster

Right, I see what you mean. I only do it downshifting too.