Difficulty Getting Into 2nd Gear
10-06-2009, 04:26 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Difficulty Getting Into 2nd Gear
I replaced my transmission fluid 20k miles ago and it's worked flawlessly until now. I'm going to replace the fluid again, but am getting concerned that might not be all the problem. Just like before, it's worse when the tranny is cold and goes away as it warms. My car has 95k miles on it and the clutch was replaced at 90k.
Isn't this a fairly common issue with the 996? What's the cause and estimated repair cost.
Isn't this a fairly common issue with the 996? What's the cause and estimated repair cost.
10-06-2009, 04:30 PM
#2
Parts Specialist
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I switched to Swepco 210 (IIRC) and my tranny has been smooth as silk every since (currently 113k miles) - Wasnt cheap stuff - it made a noticable differance instantly - I was/am shocked that it would have such an effect
10-06-2009, 05:31 PM
#3
I've heard the 2nd gear syncros have issues on these transmissions, and when they get real bad you can pop out of second gear.
If my trans is cold, DOWNshifting to 2nd will grind unless I do it very slow and at a ground speed of 30 or less. Upshifting to 2nd when cold won't grind unless I miss the clutch or am careless. Is a liiiiitle bit harder (effort-wise) to upshift to second than other gears when cold, but no grinding or anything.
When the trans is hot, no issues at all.
I've heard going to a oil that has less to no friction modifiers can help (like Red Line 75-90WNS, the 'NS' standing for No Slip; none to 1% friction modifiers added).
Ed, what's the dealio with that oil you're talking about ? What are it's properties? What issues were you having that this oil made such a diff with?
If my trans is cold, DOWNshifting to 2nd will grind unless I do it very slow and at a ground speed of 30 or less. Upshifting to 2nd when cold won't grind unless I miss the clutch or am careless. Is a liiiiitle bit harder (effort-wise) to upshift to second than other gears when cold, but no grinding or anything.
When the trans is hot, no issues at all.
I've heard going to a oil that has less to no friction modifiers can help (like Red Line 75-90WNS, the 'NS' standing for No Slip; none to 1% friction modifiers added).
Ed, what's the dealio with that oil you're talking about ? What are it's properties? What issues were you having that this oil made such a diff with?
10-06-2009, 05:56 PM
#4
Parts Specialist
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I had a squeal I was chasing - as a step in the process I opted to change the oil. My indy shop said "use this" (then stuffed a 2x4 up my backside and removed my wallet)
reluctantly I swapped the oil out and OMG !! I didnt even think I was having shift issues but it was SOOO much smoother and eliminated the cold "cant get in gear" problem. I would not say I was having "problems" but I will say it really made a differance... again, I was/am shocked that would be even noticable -
reluctantly I swapped the oil out and OMG !! I didnt even think I was having shift issues but it was SOOO much smoother and eliminated the cold "cant get in gear" problem. I would not say I was having "problems" but I will say it really made a differance... again, I was/am shocked that would be even noticable -
10-06-2009, 06:23 PM
#6
Ed, other than the 2x4, I'd say you had a pretty good experience.
I can't wait to get it! The oil that is, not the 2x4. 
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10-06-2009, 09:28 PM
#8
Ed, maybe it's Swepco 201 instead of 210? 210 is 80W-140. Yikes! 201 is 80W-90. Looks like it's made for some heavy duty industrial applications. Maybe I'll give it a shot!
10-06-2009, 11:40 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
Swepco 201 is the "go to" lube for the old 915 transmissions. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure, when anyone talks about the 915, the word balky is also used 99% of the time. Swepco makes it all better. A miracle lube.
That said, the G96 is a different animal all together. Evolved from the G50 of course...I'm not sure what those guys were using.
That said, the G96 is a different animal all together. Evolved from the G50 of course...I'm not sure what those guys were using.
10-06-2009, 11:43 PM
#11
Three Wheelin'
Oh yeah...I'm just starting to notice a little balkiness shifting my car into second when cold. I'm just turning 130K kilometres now.
I thought it might have been a shifter adjustment issue, but no definitely not. I guess a gear oil change should be in my near future. Please advise on that gear oil Ed.
I thought it might have been a shifter adjustment issue, but no definitely not. I guess a gear oil change should be in my near future. Please advise on that gear oil Ed.
10-07-2009, 12:27 AM
#12
Parts Specialist
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YUP - Swepco 210 - 8 qts - $79.12, just found the receipt -
My indy has it in a 55 gal drum so I had to get a jug and dedicated it just for this oil (lube) - I also buy my engine oil the same way from him. He tells me he makes money selling it to me, but then again since I am doing the work and he gives free advise - I dont mind. We even have beers on fridays once in a while. Pretty good people..and they have to stay in business too
My indy has it in a 55 gal drum so I had to get a jug and dedicated it just for this oil (lube) - I also buy my engine oil the same way from him. He tells me he makes money selling it to me, but then again since I am doing the work and he gives free advise - I dont mind. We even have beers on fridays once in a while. Pretty good people..and they have to stay in business too
10-07-2009, 11:23 AM
#13
I had the same issue. When cold I would have a slight resistance going into second. It wasn't bad or anything but I changed the trans fluid and it's pretty much gone away. It only surfaces if I don't drive the car for a few weeks.
I was a bit concerned when I noticed this over the summer as the car only had 39k on the ticker. Thankfully, it's been fine ever since the fluid change. Like the engine fear syndrome, I was having trans rebuild fear dashing through my head before I took it in.
I was a bit concerned when I noticed this over the summer as the car only had 39k on the ticker. Thankfully, it's been fine ever since the fluid change. Like the engine fear syndrome, I was having trans rebuild fear dashing through my head before I took it in.
10-07-2009, 01:42 PM
#14
Awesome, thanks guys. I might try Swepco then. That seems like a good price, Ed, only $10/qt. I'm seeing it for more like $14-$15, so your indy is cutting you a bit of a break. Although the markup on stuff is always huge.
LJpete, thanks for the input. That makes me feel a little better about it. Although with the grinding in downshifting, I know the syn5ros are warn to the point where oil won't be able to fix it all up, trans was prob just worked hard by previous owner. But I have hope! I'll update once I get the oil and do the change.
LJpete, thanks for the input. That makes me feel a little better about it. Although with the grinding in downshifting, I know the syn5ros are warn to the point where oil won't be able to fix it all up, trans was prob just worked hard by previous owner. But I have hope! I'll update once I get the oil and do the change.