Gearbox issue.

[RKR]

My 1M has recently started having problems with the gearbox. I'm struggling, at times, to find 2nd on up and down shifts. It feels like its just not engaging and I have to let it settle then go again, it mostly happens below 4000rpm when driving normal. Sometimes however it engages no problem.

I've resorted for the time being to completely miss 2nd, I jump straight to 3rd. Its a pain in the backside however and obviously it needs sorted.

Could it be due fluid change? Could the gearbox be on its way out? Luckily car is still completely standard and under warranty, bar the addition of AP brake kit with the oem items being so shit.

Advice appreciated.
Ry.

[Mdawood]

Clutch gone?

[RKR]

Clutch is fine. No signs of slippage whatsoever. Will get it booked in to the workshop this week.

[rick propas]

Operator error?

[RKR]

Perhaps. It hasn't been flatshifted however, nor has it been thrown from 1st to 2nd. Strange one.

[MDORPHN]

Bad tranny and/or motor mount.

Neil

[vasmir]

You're saying you get the gear lever in 2nd, let the clutch out, and the car acts like it's still in neutral? Or forces the gear lever out of the 2nd gear gate? If you let the clutch out while physically holding the lever in 2nd, do you ever hear grinding?
If that's the case, sounds like a similar problem I had in my Z3:
1. Changing gear box fluid might help - if there's some debris preventing your 2nd gear syncro from engaging. It's relatively cheap to try as a repair, but likelihood is low that this is your problem.
2. Slightly higher up in probability would be some of your shift linkage - between the stick and the gearbox - has loosened and is preventing your syncro fully engaging.
3. Unfortunately the highest likelihood would be your 2nd gear syncro has been overly worn or damaged, and needs replacing. Most shops will want to replace the whole gearbox though (instead of opening it up for just replacing the one part), as it's more cost effective. I had a friend with a dealer demo purchased Audi S5 that was the case for... That's what I ended up doing with my Z3 as well. A blown 2nd gear syncro isn't exactly a rare problem for manual gearboxes in sports cars.


Or, when you say you're having trouble finding 2nd, do you mean you don't get any guidance from the gear box in where to put the gear lever? That case would sound like a shift pin problem, which is common in the old S54 M roadster/coupe gearboxes (at least it costs less than a whole new gearbox...).

[inline sex]

Yeah let's get more details on what's going on. It does sound like a worn 2nd gear syncro.
Does it seem temp. related?

[RKR]

Worn 2nd gear syncro it was indeed.

New gearbox being provided under warranty. Going to put a new clutch in too while everything is out. Currently sitting at 48.5k miles, roll on the next 48k!