Difficult shifting 6-speed
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
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From: Stratford Ontario
Difficult shifting 6-speed
I need a little advice. My '95 is having some difficulty shifting into any gear when the engine is cold; after it reaches normal operating temps it runs like a new car. I had it at the dealership at the begining of the summer and they could not duplicate the problem. They suggested a Trani. service or it could just be a shaving on the synchro.; at that time I did not have any work done on it; but now it is getting worse. I have it scheduled to go in for service late next week and have asked them to test the car completely cold. I've checked the Master Cylinder for leaks and proper levels and both are good. Why does the problem go away when the engine gets warm? Any help so that I don't walk out paying huge $ would be great. Thanks.
:cry :confused:
:cry :confused:
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (Irish Mike)
Sounds like your fluid might not be working very well when it's cold, after it warms up it lubricates better because it flows better. It could be the wrong fluid or just VERY old.
I wouldn't say that my car is really difficult to shift but I have a noticable amount more resistance when the tranny is really cold like when it would sit overnight on a cool evening. After it warms up everything goes away. You might try just changing the fluid. There are only two recommended fluids for that tranny. One is the GM factory fill, the other is a Castrol synthetic available at a BMW dealership. Several people have said that switching to the synthetic helps a lot. I'm still running factory fill but will try the Castrol next time around. :cheers:
I wouldn't say that my car is really difficult to shift but I have a noticable amount more resistance when the tranny is really cold like when it would sit overnight on a cool evening. After it warms up everything goes away. You might try just changing the fluid. There are only two recommended fluids for that tranny. One is the GM factory fill, the other is a Castrol synthetic available at a BMW dealership. Several people have said that switching to the synthetic helps a lot. I'm still running factory fill but will try the Castrol next time around. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (Nathan Plemons)
Castrol synthetic available at a BMW dealership. Several people have said that switching to the synthetic helps a lot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (Irish Mike)
I'd swap out the trans lube (I use Castrol) and bleed the clutch hydralics. Chances are, neither have been touched since your Vette left the factory. Then ~1k-2K miles I'd do it again. After that, I'd do it a least every two years. If you learn to DIY, the cost is really low, compare that to a basic ZF6 rebuild is $2K.
Eric
Eric
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (silver & red CE)
Just attach a 2 foot piece of pipe between the stick and the shift **** for a little leverage :smash: :jester . You might have to remove the top to drive it though :D .
Really though, it sounds like a fluid change would be a good idea.
Really though, it sounds like a fluid change would be a good idea.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 0
From: Easton CA
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (Irish Mike)
I'd love to switch over to Castrol synthetic but the BMW dealerships in this area are, shall I say... less than cooperative? They won't even talk to you. Does anyone have the Castrol part # so maybe I can order it through an auto parts store? I'm tired of wasting my time with BMW.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 17,881
Likes: 25
From: The third orange grove on the left
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (Irish Mike)
First change the tranny fluid to the Castrol from the BMW dealer. Just go into the dealer with the part number and tell them you need 3. Get the right size allen wrench and plan on attaching a pipe to the end of it because those screws are in there pretty tight. Loosen the fill plug first, then the drain plug. You will need an oil fill pump or a really long fill tube and just fill it up. Take it for a spin. If you still have difficulty shifting you should replace the clutch hydraulic system which consists of the clutch master cylinder, slave actuator, and hydraulic line. Those are the only things you can really do. If you still have difficulty shifting then either live with it or get it rebuilt. :cheers:
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
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From: Stratford Ontario
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (1995LT1)
Thanks guys, I'm glad to hear it is likely a fluid problem. I will let the dealership do the service on it this time around and take your advise and learn to do it it myself for the next one. I'm dropping the car off on Wed. night and I'll post back after I hear from them on Thursday to let you what the outcome was.
Cheers, :thumbs:
Cheers, :thumbs:
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Difficult shifting 6-speed (Irish Mike)
I had the EXACT same problem with my 93 6 speed, and I found out that my clutch fluid was quite low. When the car would sit overnite on a cold morning, it was hell putting the car in reverse, much less shifting from 1st to 2nd. My $.02
