impossible to shift when cold

[bahnstormer]

so its been in the low 50s here in NJ
and my 5spd when i start it in the
morning just wont shift into gear

after it warms up everythign is fine


i'm thinking i'll replace the tranny fluid,
just need some rec on what is good

redline? they have a million prods tho.....

let me know what u think

[dave b]

I use redline MTL. Have had it in for nearly 40k now and it's still the same color as when new. Still feels nice too.

Good luck getting the drain and fill plugs off the tranny. They'll be a little tight...

[Kalevera]

Martin. Try Red Line or Royal Purple Synchromax.

We're using the latter exclusively now...used to do redline only. Excellent results with RP, much friendlier on the pocketbook. One recent case: I had a 540/6 exhibiting tough shifting -- E39/had bmw lifetime and around 80k on the clock. Synchromax fixed it right up. Lifetime isn't lifetime

best, whit

[romus]

i thought that was normal. Coz oil is still thick...had similar experiences in the mountains here, one morning was so foggy and around 5C, very very hard to shift at first...later was fine...dunno really.

[bahnstormer]

it might be normal, but for me i have to exert way too much effort to get it into gear

i have 165,000 on the orig fluid so it can't hurt to change it...esp to something
better

so new ques


$7.95
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...rt=RPO-RP01512




$7.95
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...part=RED-50204



looks like they are both the same price tho =]
what weight of redline did you use? i see a 75W80 -

Red Line MTL is a 70W80 GL-4 gear oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles. MTL is a low 70W at very low temperatures, and a high 80W, nearly an 85W, at elevated temperatures, providing adequate viscosity to prevent wear and deaden gear noise.

[Qube]

Bump and great post. Was just looking into this as well. Going to go through Bentleys to see what's required...

[Bellicose Right Winger]

It's not clear if your trans won't go into any gear at a standstill or if you can't change gears when moving.

The sudden onset of cold weather often affects clutch hydraulics. This generally clears up after until you've used the clutch a few times. Pumping the clutch pedal 10-20 times will help clear it up also.

This is usually noticed by the clutch engaging closer to the floor than normal. In extreme cases the clutch may not disengage which will prevent gear selection.

If problem is gearbox related, letting engine idle in neutral with foot off clutch for 30 seconds or so will make shifting easier.

Paul Shovestul

so its been in the low 50s here in NJ
and my 5spd when i start it in the
morning just wont shift into gear

after it warms up everythign is fine


i'm thinking i'll replace the tranny fluid,
just need some rec on what is good

redline? they have a million prods tho.....

let me know what u think

[Robin-535im]

IIRC - Redline also has an ATF that shifts more smoothly than MTL in the cold.

I've got MTL and the first few shifts in the morning are clunky, a mile or so down the road it smooths out. 46 degrees F this morning I think...

HTH

Robin

[DueyT]

Bahn, I have Redline D4 ATF in my 6-speed right now...very smooth, smoother than when I had Redline MTL in it. Might also try Royal Purple Synchromax, if the D4 is stiff this winter...

[Chris'91'525i]

for BMW manual transmission's that have a GL-4 Spec. oil rating.

http://www.royalpurple.com/techa/tranxref.html

My manual also states you can use 20/30 or 40 Wt. mineral oils in lieu of GL-4 gear oil.
So is Synchromax® safe to use with GL-4 rated BMW tranny's ?
I'm sure MTL is just fine for warmer climates. But your tranny might do better on a light straight Wt. motor oil in colder places if it's a GL-4 rated trans.

it might be normal, but for me i have to exert way too much effort to get it into gear

i have 165,000 on the orig fluid so it can't hurt to change it...esp to something
better

so new ques


$7.95
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...rt=RPO-RP01512




$7.95
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...part=RED-50204



looks like they are both the same price tho =]
what weight of redline did you use? i see a 75W80 -

Red Line MTL is a 70W80 GL-4 gear oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles. MTL is a low 70W at very low temperatures, and a high 80W, nearly an 85W, at elevated temperatures, providing adequate viscosity to prevent wear and deaden gear noise.