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Old 12-14-2000, 09:18 PM   #1
GTBGUY
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'98 QS Legacy L (auto)

Question Anyone have problems w/ not being able to get into gear when the car is cold?

Guys, I've been having problems w/ my 5spd gearbox on my 2.5GT, the temperature is less than -20C here in Calgary, and everytime this happens, I can't get into 2nd either up or downshifting... so I start w. 1->3->4->5... anyone have this prob? Also when I shift to 3rd up/down it feels a little notchy... almost grinding 3rd... but I know I don't grind since I double clutch when I up and downshift.

Thanks help is much appreciated!

BTW - I just want to see if it warrants going to the dealer to see if they'll rip apart my tranny
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Old 12-14-2000, 09:35 PM   #2
Miracle Worker
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I've noticed that since its gotten colder out I have to have the clutch in longer/further than usual during upshifts. Otherwise I grind em.
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Old 12-15-2000, 06:19 AM   #3
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Same problem here in NJ when it's only slightly below freezing. I doubt the dealer would do anything about it. I think I'm going to switch to Redline 75W90NS soon. Are you using synthetic gear oil?
Dennis
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Old 12-15-2000, 07:12 AM   #4
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Mine was a little graunchy this week after sitting in the cold (10-15F) for a few hours. Went away after <2 minutes of driving...

Stock gearbox oil, MY99 2.5RS.
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Old 12-15-2000, 08:05 AM   #5
RidinLow
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Yep, whenever the car's cold and it's less than 40 deg F outside, if I drive off right away, I have to physically yank it out of first only to find that 2nd won't engage. MY00 RS with 13k mi & a Kartboy shifter.
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Old 12-15-2000, 08:05 AM   #6
Gambit
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Get Redlin synth. You don't regret it.I live in the snowbelt of SouthWestern Ontario. Car sat outside in a -13C (windchill?) for the entire night. Starts up fine and shifts fine. Get Redline.
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Old 12-15-2000, 09:11 AM   #7
gtguy
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No problems with Mobil 1 syntho lube in mine. Feels great rolling out, with no shifting issues. We've had a couple days of single-digit temps up here in Chicago, and not a lick of trouble. I have a '98 GT wagon, by the way.

Kevin
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Old 12-15-2000, 09:18 AM   #8
SubyPrez20
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Arrgg...mine wont go into 1st or 2nd no matter what the temp is

at least your goes in after a bit...u should feel lucky Its just not fair! hehe

suby
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Old 12-15-2000, 09:39 AM   #9
GTBGUY
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Exclamation

Nope, I'm currently running the stock oil... going to change out to the Motul Gear 300 75w90 Synthetic when I have 3000kms more (to the 25000km service... It's like -26C + windchill = -33C or so (~ -27.4F) this is only like 5 hrs outside w/o plugging in the block heater. In my insulated garage overnight when it's plugged in it's ok, but still misses 2nd though...

update - ok guys, it's -25C here + windchill is like -40C (just heard on the news)

[This message has been edited by GTBGUY (edited December 15, 2000).]
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Old 12-15-2000, 10:41 AM   #10
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Talking

Ok, time for me to chime in again concerning the cold weather. Although the shifting is a bit "notchier" I do not have to use any significant force to shift between any gear (except that damn reverse). This has been the case for temperatures approaching -30F. This does bring up an interesting point, however. Could it be that I am desensitized to these cold weather ailments because it is consistently below freezing here for about 5 months of the year? All of the problems being reported lately have not been issues for me.

Christian
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Old 12-15-2000, 09:03 PM   #11
P.K. Motorsports
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GTB guy - don't wait! Change to Redline 75-90NS and your problem will go away. It's not worth dealing with the problem (almost certainly not good for your transmission, either) just to make it to some arbitrary mileage (kilometrage).

If you live in New Jersey where it gets hot you may have to change out to MT-90 in the summer (75w-90NS is a little too thin for hot weather). Still, changing your gear oil every 6 months isn't a high price to pay to have a transmission which always shifts as it should. Why wait another day?
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Old 12-16-2000, 11:02 AM   #12
Sam Kaufman
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My 98 RS seems to be much "stiffer" in the cold before it warms up. After it warms up and I get under way it seems better.
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Old 12-16-2000, 11:12 AM   #13
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GTBGUY, did the dealer end up replacing the transmission when you brought it into them a few weeks ago?

I have the same problem with my car. I think its just in the design of it. I think synthetics will help a lot. Usually goes away though after a couple minutes when it warms up.

Also, pushing 400hp through it probably isnt too good for it either
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Old 12-16-2000, 01:08 PM   #14
GTBGUY
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Tulit- is the BPM gear set a dog gear set? if so I'll probably not get that one, since I want a gear set w/ syncros to allow for everyday driving and zero effort (since my younger brother sometimes takes my car out). I'll give you a shout on Monday k?
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Old 12-16-2000, 06:15 PM   #15
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P.K. Motorsports - I thought the purpose of a multi-vis oil is the ability to use it year 'round. Wouldn't the 75W90 act like a 75 in the winter and a 90 in the summer?
Dennis
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Old 12-16-2000, 07:45 PM   #16
tulit
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yup they are dog gears
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Old 12-17-2000, 12:22 AM   #17
GTBGUY
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Exclamation

Tulit - well they said they couldn't find anything wrong w/ the tranny... but since I've ripped out my turbo (for warranty purposes), I'm going to try again... b/c this time it's cold, and the problem will show very easily. If they don't replace the tranny, I hope they'll at least rip it apart to replace the syncros or something, but I'm going to get the gears, syncros and shift rods all cryo'd... or I think I'm going to invest in a set of Possme Borne hardened gears then slap my turbo system back on.
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Old 12-17-2000, 12:33 AM   #18
tulit
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Yup. They never find anything

But I gauantee you the problem you have is common to all of them. I haven't found one yet that wasn't "stiff" like that in the cold.

Let me know what gearset you choose in the end. I can get the BPM set for you (Im Canadian distributor of their parts).

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Old 12-17-2000, 09:55 PM   #19
P.K. Motorsports
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Bluesubie - nope, that's 75w when it's cold and 90w at some specified "hot" temperature. It's too thin when it gets really hot. MT-90 is more viscous. See Cobb's website for a thorough analysis: http://www.cobbtuning.com/tech/gearoil/index.html

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Old 12-18-2000, 06:37 AM   #20
bluesubie
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P.K. - Actually, MT 90 is also a multi-vis 75W90. http://www.redlineoil.com/frames/gearoil.htm
Dennis

[This message has been edited by bluesubie (edited December 18, 2000).]
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Old 12-18-2000, 10:56 AM   #21
markus
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Jack,

My car sat at the E-town airport all week last week and I didn't have it plugged in. The drive train is definately stiff when its been sitting in -25C or colder weather for 5 days. I'm sure that synthetic will help the problem, but the whole drive train is stiff due to these cold temperatures. I would try the sythetic then make a determination if there is other collateral damage.

Cheers,
MB
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Old 12-18-2000, 11:34 AM   #22
Mike2000GT
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While it doesn't get quite as cold down here as you guys are talking about, my subie sits for most of the week (have company truck to beat up on) and on a cold night will fight a little to get into 1st. no problem in second (I'll sometimes start from 2nd to avoid first). Once she warms up though, the shifting is much better.

I've got the stock juice in there now, but I'll prolly be switching to the redline stuff.

Mike
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Old 12-18-2000, 11:05 PM   #23
P.K. Motorsports
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Bluesubie - I know, but it's still more viscous than 75w-90NS... see the Cobb page.

Gayle - MT-90, even though it's a GL-4, is still the best choice overall. A dino GL-5 would be sludge long before the MT-90 would. Obviously Trey knows it's a GL-4, yet he still recommends it. His recommendation confirms what I've been suspecting since I changed to 75w-90NS and found that it didn't have enough friction for the synchros when it gets hot.
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Old 12-19-2000, 12:57 AM   #24
gaylemd
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The folks at Cobb are correct about the MT-90 for the Transmission, but I have a 2001 2.5RS and the manual calls for a GL-5 rated oil. The problem with MT-90 is that is a GL-4. What to do? I opted for the 75W-90NS to fill my trans.

Mike :-)
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Old 12-19-2000, 06:31 AM   #25
bluesubie
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P.K. - For those wanting to stay GL5, what about 75W90NS and adding a little Redline Friction Modifier? Wouldn't that be a good way to "tailor" your gear oil to suit your needs? From Redline ...
"All Red Line rear axle lubricants except 75W90 NS have this additive in their chemistry. If the perfect limited slip lubricant is desired, fill the axle with 75W90 NS then add just enough Limited-Slip Differential Friction- Modifier/Break-in Additive such that any chatter goes away."
Dennis

[This message has been edited by bluesubie (edited December 19, 2000).]
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