Crunch in 2nd

[Airzone]

Hi,

I've noticed of late that when I go from first to second I get a crunch - regardless of if I'm pushing it or not (occasionally it doesn't happen though). From any other gear to second there's no crunch, and from second to any other gear is also crunchless. Actually, it's more of a feeling than a noise and it feels like one part is going faster than another. Once you get it in gear, it's fine.

Could this be the clutch playing up, or something in the 'box itself?

My previous car had a 3rd gear crunch for ages and it was OK. Mind you a new gearbox (or clutch for that matter) is worth more than the car itself. Is this likely to be a problem, or just a nusience?

[skyline33]

try changing the gearbox fluid

[Airzone]

Ok, sounds like a plan.

1) What fluid should I use.. Some sort of castrol oil I imagine, but what sort?

2) How do I change it? (lol!)

3) Would I be better off paying someone to do it, or is it a simple thing? I kinda want to learn how to do small maintenance tasks by myself.

[skyline33]

personally i dont touch the gearbox, but i hear Redline is a good fluid to use, do a search on the forum you'll find lots of info

[Pops]

I have the same problem , car has now done 56,000kms and is due for a g/box oil change .

I jacked both sides of the car (with poxy car jack grr) put car stands under them went to the shed to get 1/2" drive ratchet to undo the drain plugs , couldnt find it DOH !

I bought some VMX80 Castrol oil to go in as others have had good results with it . If it doesnt solve the problem i'll look for the redline oil .

[2fardown]

Put a decent lube in and see if that makes a difference.

I had exactly the same problem as you, ended up getting a full gearbox recondition under warranty $2000 - lucky I didn't have to pay for it.

[JimX]

Gearbox oil will help but won't cure it altogether. It's a very common problem on these cars, it's just worn synchro's, probably from too many Japanese boy racers flat-shifting before it arrived here. Redline heavy weight shockproof oil is the stuff to use if crunching is bad, if it's not too bad then try the light weight.

I find on mine that it crunches a lot less after the gearbox has warmed up. Until then I find that I can help stop crunching by not going straight into second from first, but going to the centre first (ie, where the gate for 3rd and 4th is). I can also stop crunching by doubling the clutch, but it's easier to do it the former way.

[Airzone]

Ok. So first port of call is gearbox oil. I'll try some VMX80 first and it there's no luck, go to Redline. If nothing else, the VMX80 will clean out the box. I believe 3.8 litres is the magic number here :-)

Now, (to prove my general ignorance of car mechanics), I assume the drain plug is on the bottom of the gearbox. And it would make sense that the fill hole is up the top of the gearbox. Just where abouts is it?

I think I might do it next weekend when I go to my old's place.. They have some ramps I can use to hold the car up and enough tools to get by.

I had the clutch replaced as part of buying the car, 'cause during testing it would slip under heavy load. And now there's this gearbox crunching... Perhaps I should look at changing the diff oil too?

[2fardown]

Originally posted by Airzone

And it would make sense that the fill hole is up the top of the gearbox. Just where abouts is it?

Drivers side up the top, you can't miss it.

[Duncan]

redline cured this problem for me, other oils had made no difference. do a search for redline, there's plenty of threads.

[Zahos]

the fill hole is on the side (drivers side), not the top.

[benm]

The Redline Shockproof Gearbox Oil is great stuff. Its very expensive but the quality is right there! It loosened up 1st and 2nd and i haven't had a 4th crunch yet.

One problem I am having though and i thought putting the redline gearbox oil would fix it but im starting to think its a clutch problem... hopefully someone could advise me.

About 5 times now (in 5mths) I have had this grinding type noise in 1st + 2nd only with the clutch is in. I can be upshifting, downshifting or just sitting at the lights and this noise will appear.

3 of these times its happened within 1km of driving so I was thinking maybe something is just abit cold and give it abit longer to warm up although Saturday night on my way home from the Palm Beach cruise (drove 100+ km that night) the noise was appearing in 1st+2nd it didnt matter how much driving the car had done.

The noise is quite loud and the first time it happened I sh1t myself, pulled over and switched off the car, infact that time I think I had it in neutral and the only way to stop the noise was to turn the car off (the noise continued for about 5sec after the ignition was off i guess as the engine/gearbox/whateva was winding down).

Does anybody have any idea what this noise is?

Its starting to scare me and its quite embarressing when you pull up at a set of lights in a nice looking car only to have this LOUD grinding noise appear. The clutch feels really nice and ive only ever dropped 1 proper burnout the rest is just hard accellerating in 2nd + 3rd + 4th and it feels fine to me.

[T0nyGTSt]

Stock clutch mate?

203kW thru a stock plate is prob. the cause.

Mine rings a bit in 1st, esp. in reverse. You might need your clutch inspected.

T.

[benm]

Actually its 186rwkw coz i only drive on std boost. But thats the thing i never launch it and i dont drop it.

I guess i'll have to get it inspected in a week or 2 when i get a lightened flywheel.

[Airzone]

Where do you get this redline stuff? I'll go for that instead.

[R31Nismoid]

I have the same problem!

going 1st to second i have to give it a shake in neutral before going to 2nd when the gearbox is cold and once it's warm it's pretty much OK.

Will i have to use differnet oil cause my gears have a shortened/quick shifter in it ?

Also... where are the seals?

As mine leaks a tiny bit of oil... not enough to hit the concrete, but you get a faint whif under high load from under the Shifter boot... and it's not the nicest smell.

[benm]

CRD in Silverwater sell Redline Shockproof Gearbox Oil.

$25/L and it comes as a 3.7L for $100 + $10 Courier fee.

So basically $110

[Airzone]

What is their phone number? I tried finding them in the phone books but they're not there.

[benm]

http://www.motorsportworld.com.au/outlets/croydon/

[Airzone]

Coolies. Oil ordered and expected tomorrow. Will replace on weekend.