This is being posted as the result of a discussion on another thread. My '85 5 speed is tough to shift from 1st to 2nd when cold. 2nd to 3rd is too but not as bad. Prewarming the car or driving for a few minutes seems to solve the problem. I have changed the transmission fluid with no resolution. Currently I prewarm or double clutch. According to the previous disccusion the problem exists on '82, '85 and '88. Are the synchros a problem on '85s and '88s too? Any ideas?

 

mine too. When cold outside (I stop driving it by the end of November)and a cold tranny, I run 1st gear up a bit higher on the tach and then shift. I believe it is the synchros, or something like that. Once the tranny is warn, the problem goes away. I always chaulked it up to "Gretch" bitchin' about having to go out in the cold......

 

I just think that it is the way of these beasts. If it works fine after a few minutes warming up, I think you're good. I wouldn't worry about it.
Here's still another thread where this was discussed: <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=000578#000000" target="_blank">Similar thread</a>

 

Hi,
It may be worth considering a fully synthetic oil for your transmission. They are available and depending on the distance covered and condition of your vehicle's box, may make a significant difference. They are especially good at low and high temperatures
Regards
Doug Hillary

 

My S does this in the cold. I double-clutch the 1-2 shift the first couple times, then it's fine. Like the tranny bogs down when it's cold. The car's synchros are new as of August.

My GT doesn't do this. Go figure. [Actually, my S has heavy-duty goo in the tranny.]

 

I've tried synthetic (Redline) but no improvement. A rebuild (after only 80K) helped but not that much better. I always go 1st to 3rd until it warms-up. It is the only major dislike I have with the car. I was used to my old 944 that shifted like butter.

 

It could be the lock out pins on the selector forks. With cold weather and after sitting the lubrication draining away from these pins causing their movement to be stiff until the oil warms up enough to be sufficiently splashed into that area.