Sticky Gears

[sinlessgunner]

Hi lads,

I presume this is probably a simple fix but basically my manual GPX seems to be sticking in certain gears, especially third, and going into reverse. 1st is fine, 2nd is fine, 2nd to 3rd is sticky and 3rd to 4th then 4th to 5th is fine. Selecting reverse can be very bad at times too.

Going back through them is the same thing. Doesn't seem to be a major issue right now but I'm hoping there isn't a dangerous underlying problem...

[Myfeckin FTO]

.......1st is fine, 2nd is fine, 2nd to 3rd is sticky and 3rd to 4th then 4th to 5th is fine. Selecting reverse can be very bad at times too....

May be a problem with Syncros - however - a gearbox oil change is quite likely to help - when was the last time the gearbox oil was changed?

[Mustang]

.......1st is fine, 2nd is fine, 2nd to 3rd is sticky and 3rd to 4th then 4th to 5th is fine. Selecting reverse can be very bad at times too....

May be a problem with Syncros - however - a gearbox oil change is quite likely to help - when was the last time the gearbox oil was changed?

I'm with MyfeckinFTO on this. By sticky if you mean that the car is not inclined to come out of gear and the lever doesn't move as smoothly as it might, then change the gear oil. On the 2l cars and I guess the 1.8 also, the gearbox holds 2.2l of oil (they come in 1L bottles so you'll need to buy 3L). Buy a good synthetic based oil. Castrol syntrax or smx-s, etc. Do not buy a mineal or hypoid gear oil.

[Masa]

.......1st is fine, 2nd is fine, 2nd to 3rd is sticky and 3rd to 4th then 4th to 5th is fine. Selecting reverse can be very bad at times too....

May be a problem with Syncros - however - a gearbox oil change is quite likely to help - when was the last time the gearbox oil was changed?

I'm with MyfeckinFTO on this. By sticky if you mean that the car is not inclined to come out of gear and the lever doesn't move as smoothly as it might, then change the gear oil. On the 2l cars and I guess the 1.8 also, the gearbox holds 2.2l of oil (they come in 1L bottles so you'll need to buy 3L). Buy a good synthetic based oil. Castrol syntrax or smx-s, etc. Do not buy a mineal or hypoid gear oil.

Where can we access the gear oil tank to replace it?

I have no clue ^^

[sinlessgunner]

Yeah good question Masa!! I don't know when it was last changed, not since I bought the car in Feburary anyway!! But that's what it sounds like alright, where can I get access to the tank?

[Myfeckin FTO]

Where can we access the gear oil tank to replace it?...........

From what I remember on my FTO there was two plugs on the manual gearbox - One on top for checking the level and one on the Bottom/side for draining the gearbox. If your FTO has never had a gearbox oil change then it may be very short of oil - don't be surprised when you take off the draining plug to find little or no oil coming out.

[Mustang]

The filler plug has the word oil written on it. it is on one of the vertical faces of the gearbox, think it on the front (or maybe the side). The drain plug is located about 2 or 3 inches lower. But is located towards the back of the box IIRC.
Ref to workshop manual 1, page 22-3 (pg 272 of 351 pdf) Recommended grade 75W-90 or 75W-85W conforming to API GL-4.
NOTE make sure you can open the filler plug BEFORE you drain the oil. Last thing you want is an empty gearbox and no way of illing it. Car should be on level ground when refilling.

[miss-enzo]

must get mine done sson os cause im havin the same problem!

[Dragonheart]

Dont you just pour the oil in where the dipstick comes out? Thats what I was told anyway.

[CJ]

Dont you just pour the oil in where the dipstick comes out? Thats what I was told anyway.

The guys are talking about the manual box MJ....


CJ

[Dragonheart]

Oh right, thats ok then.

[steelroe]

I doubt the oil is at fault here. Still is is worth a change periodically.
The oil has nowhere to escape to, so your box will always have more or less what was put in it when oit was filled.

Oil capacity for manual box is 2.2L. Drain plug is on the bottom right hand side of the box as you look in from the passenger side. 24mm socket or spanner will do the trick.

Filler plug is middle ways up the box at the front, it is marked "OIL". Once you have removed the old oil and sealed up the nut, start to fill the new oil until oil flows out the bottom of the filler hole (Approx 2.2L).

As regards the problem you guys are having I would think it is either one of two things.

Firstly and most likely, Gear linkage on top of the box, I ordered one today from Camskill. This item wears over time and causes gear selection problems. You also need the rubber washer kit. There are 2 diff versions, chassis no. check needed. The link to the one I ordered is here http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?mode=search second one is here http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... b0s12p2697
and the washers are here http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php? ... 0s12p12482.

Second likely cause as stated earlier is the Synchr mesh. This is a costly job to do so I would go with the cheap option first and see how it goes.

[steelroe]

[/quote] Do not buy a mineal or hypoid gear oil.[/quote]

Mustang why not hypoid oil, reason I ask is I was offered it yesterday for manual FTO box, but went for the synthetic.
What is the story with Hypoid.

[steelroe]

just found this
http://yarchive.net/car/hypoid_gear_oil.html

[Mustang]

Do not buy a mineal or hypoid gear oil.

Mustang why not hypoid oil, reason I ask is I was offered it yesterday for manual FTO box, but went for the synthetic.
What is the story with Hypoid.

I don't have a definite answer for you sorry. In fairness the workshop manual does specify hypoid gear oil. I once made the mistake of putting mineral based oil, which met the above spec I mentioned, into the FTO. However the car didn't like it at all. and I had to drain it and replace with synthetic.
At the time I did much research on the issue, and (sorry this is not technical) as far as I can see hypoid gear oil is very old skool, and in most instances not suitable for modern gearboxes. I always use syntrax or smx-s no problems so far.

To address the original poster. I had the exact same problem with my car when I bought it. A gear oil change did the trick.

[Mustang]

The oil has nowhere to escape to, so your box will always have more or less what was put in it when oit was filled.

If the drive shaft seals are worn or perished. An incorrecly tightened drain plug. Or worst case scenario an incorrectly sealed box (from previous work), would all provide leak paths for the gear oil.

[steelroe]

SOrry I should have said "other than a leak"

[sinlessgunner]

Thanks for all the advice lads much appreciated.

I would assume it just needs an oil change because I would expect it has never been done going by the standard of other common maintenance issues with the car since I got it

It's not a serious issue anyway it goes into gear ok just not as smoothly as I would like. Maybe all the manuals are a little stiff going into gear? It only really reared it's head because a mate of mine commented on it when he took it for a spin.

I'll change the oil this weekend and hope for the best! Thanks again!!

[escu_calin]

my gear changing seems a bit to hard to engage the new ratio..
i am prepared now for an oil change;
but first...
i am asking if being put to choose between the 85 and 90 viscosity... wouldn't the 85 be the best choice concerning the gear changing smoothness?

thanks!

[Kace]

Maybe all the manuals are a little stiff going into gear?

Nope not true - should be smooth with nice little notchiness when moving between gears.

Reverse selection can during cold weather sometimes be difficult and requires slight movement of car before selection takes place.

[paul2508]

Maybe all the manuals are a little stiff going into gear?

Nope not true - should be smooth with nice little notchiness when moving between gears.

Reverse selection can during cold weather sometimes be difficult and requires slight movement of car before selection takes place.

i second this. the gearbox i have for sale out of the broken fto has the smoothest gear change i have felt in a fto. not sticking in any of the gears ,all smooth changes. really enjoyed it when i drove it seems im use to sticky gears in my own car. must get mine sorted. just noticed that the first link you have up steelroe for the linkage is just blank. i take it they are out of stock on this one, i need one for a 98 gpx