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transmission grinding going to 2nd

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Old Aug 25, 2011 | 08:00 PM
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Default transmission grinding going to 2nd

recently I noticed my manual trans grinding a little before going into 2nd gear. Usually if I rev it past 3000 rpm, especially if I hurry the shift. All other gears operate great. I have been running valvoline synthetic in there so I will see if changing the fluid helps any. My guess is the synchro's on 2nd gear are worn.

Any advise where i can send it for a quality rebuild?
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 06:38 AM
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How many miles, what year vette are we talking? How long since that last trans oil change and what rating trans fluid? Is the clutch original? If not, what kind? You might very well find changing the trans fluid will fix it.
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 09:45 AM
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The car is a 2001 and has about 65000 miles on it. The fluid was last changed about 3 years ago when the car had about 38000 miles on it. Dont remember the exact rating but the fluid was valvoline synthetic tranny fluid.
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by nascar57
The car is a 2001 and has about 65000 miles on it. The fluid was last changed about 3 years ago when the car had about 38000 miles on it. Dont remember the exact rating but the fluid was valvoline synthetic tranny fluid.
I would highly suggest you read through this LINK and then change out the current transmission fluid with Dexron VI or, with GM Manual transmission fluid 88861800. My trans, 2000 manual, had the same issue as you. After changing to Dexron VI the trans shifts better than new. I’ve been using this for well over a year with well over 22K on the fluid. Dexron VI can be had in most of the major brands and has to meet GM standards to carry Dexron VI on the label. It replaces the Dex III that originally came in your transmission.

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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 02:15 PM
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It could also be a hydraulic issue. The clutch not fully disengaging could make it do the same thing. Have you bled the clutch and changed the fluid?
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 95BlueBomber
It could also be a hydraulic issue. The clutch not fully disengaging could make it do the same thing. Have you bled the clutch and changed the fluid?
The clutch fluid has been changed. If this was the problem wouldnt it occur in every gear??
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 06:13 PM
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Eric, from what I have read, GM specifically recommends that Dex VI not be used in the C5 manual trannies. They created the -1800 fluid as you recommended above to replace the "discontinued" Dex III. The -1800 is probably just Dex III in another bottle.

DG
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by The Wrench
Eric, from what I have read, GM specifically recommends that Dex VI not be used in the C5 manual trannies. They created the -1800 fluid as you recommended above to replace the "discontinued" Dex III. The -1800 is probably just Dex III in another bottle.

DG
DG,

Did you read through the link I attached in my other posting? The author of this document and other lubrication experts that I talked with felt Dexron VI was my best choice. If you feel this is not the case for you or your car, then by all means use 88861800. I can tell you that 88861800 is closer to Dexron VI that Dex III. I expect at some future date there will be a phasing out of 88861800 and the replacement will be Dexron VI as the linked document suggest.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 12:05 AM
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Default 88861800 Manual Transmission Fluid

Originally Posted by Eric D
DG,

Did you read through the link I attached in my other posting? The author of this document and other lubrication experts that I talked with felt Dexron VI was my best choice. If you feel this is not the case for you or your car, then by all means use 88861800. I can tell you that 88861800 is closer to Dexron VI that Dex III. I expect at some future date there will be a phasing out of 88861800 and the replacement will be Dexron VI as the linked document suggest.


I just read through your link.

The author of the document clearly recommends the following........

"Any vehicle that previously used DEXRON-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should now use p/n 88861800 Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid".

Dexron IV is clearly backward compatable for Dexron III Automatic transmissions. However the Engineers at GM specifically recommend 88861800 for Manual Transmissions originally using Dexron III.

Hope this helps anyone that has been confused about what to put in their Manual Transmissions.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by RaW Z06
I just read through your link.

The author of the document clearly recommends the following........

"Any vehicle that previously used DEXRON-III for a manual transmission or transfer case should now use p/n 88861800 Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid".

Dexron IV is clearly backward compatable for Dexron III Automatic transmissions. However the Engineers at GM specifically recommend 88861800 for Manual Transmissions originally using Dexron III.

Hope this helps anyone that has been confused about what to put in their Manual Transmissions.
Did you understand that the author of this document is a current "Engineer at GM"? By pulling bits and parts out of the document and quoting one item, I believe you are adding to the confusion. This is the primary reason I posted the link within my first sentence to allow folks to read and make their own interpretation as to what they want to use. If you had read the next paragraph down from the one you quoted you would find the statement about Dexron VI becoming more commonly used for manual transmissions.

My talks with this author and other GM lubrication expert in regards to what would be best for my 2000 6 speed manual Corvette transmission came about for the same reason as others here on the Corvette Forum. I was very confused about what to use. They cleared this up for me. Will there be an official document from GM anytime soon saying to the world that Dexron VI is the fluid of choice over all others? I have no idea. I can guess many reasons why they wouldn’t and none of them have to do with some hidden issue with the use of Dexron VI. On the contrary, the linked document gives you ALL the information as to why Dexron VI is far superior to Dex III. Any good engineer reading this link would come away with knowing that Dexron VI would be the fluid of choice hands down.


Last edited by Eric D; Aug 27, 2011 at 12:23 PM.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 12:12 PM
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Dexron IV it is for me!!
Thanks for all the feedback.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 12:13 PM
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Dexron VI I mean.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric D
Did you understand that the author of this document is a current "Engineer at GM"? By pulling bits and parts out of the document and quoting one item, I believe you are adding to the confusion. This is the primary reason I posted the link within my first sentence to allow folks to read and make their own interpretation as to what they want to use. If you had read the next paragraph down from the one you quoted you would find the statement about Dexron VI becoming more commonly used for manual transmissions.

My talks with this author and other GM lubrication expert in regards to what would be best for my 2000 6 speed manual Corvette transmission came about for the same reason as others here on the Corvette Forum. I was very confused about what to use. They cleared this up for me. Will there be an official document from GM anytime soon saying to the world that Dexron VI is the fluid of choice over all others? I have no idea. I can guess many reasons why they wouldn’t and none of them have to do with some hidden issue with the use of Dexron VI. On the contrary, the linked document gives you ALL the information as to why Dexron VI is far superior to Dex III. Any good engineer reading this link would come away with knowing that Dexron VI would be the fluid of choice hands down.

There is NO CONFUSION.

First of all the comparison in this article is between Dexron III and Dexron VI (no comparison with 88861800 ). It seems to me, you are making the assumption that 88861800 is Dexron III.

Any good engineer reading the link would know that 88861800 is not the same fluid as Dexron III but rather the GM recommended replacement fluid for Manual Transmissions.

Last edited by RaW Z06; Aug 27, 2011 at 02:02 PM.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by nascar57
Dexron IV it is for me!!
Thanks for all the feedback.
Nascar57

You can put any fluid you like in your transmission. After all, it's your car.

However, if you want what GM recommends for your vehicle then use GM88861800 Manual Transmission Fluid.

Call your local Chevrolet Dealership Service advisor. Give them your VIN Number and ask them to look up what the correct Fluid is for your car.

The Dealer will tell you 88861800 Manual Transmission Fluid not Dexron IV
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by RaW Z06
There is NO CONFUSION.

Any good engineer reading the link would know that 88861800 is not the same fluid as Dexron III but rather the GM recommended replacement fluid for Manual Transmissions.
I have no idea what link you are reading as the one I pointed to has NO information on the composition of 88861800. It isn't compared to Dex III or Dexron VI. I never suggest that that it was the same as Dex III. It isn't, not even close.

Yes, you are contributing to the CONFUSION, as you are confusing me with what your point is along with anyone else reading this.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric D
I have no idea what link you are reading as the one I pointed to has NO information on the composition of 88861800. It isn't compared to Dex III or Dexron VI. I never suggest that that it was the same as Dex III. It isn't, not even close.

Yes, you are contributing to the CONFUSION, as you are confusing me with what your point is along with anyone else reading this.
I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with you.

You are the only one that's confused. My remarks are clear and to the point.

The correct GM recommended Fluid for C5 Manual Transmissions is 88816800.

For those of you out there that are considering Dexron IV for your Manual Tranny, Dont Drink the Cool Aid!!!!
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 04:14 PM
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And GM has never put out any koolaid I'm sure. I'll talk to the guys at rpm transmissions and a couple other experts that see these trannys and know exactly what to use.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by nascar57
And GM has never put out any koolaid I'm sure. I'll talk to the guys at rpm transmissions and a couple other experts that see these trannys and know exactly what to use.
Gather all the information you can. That's what I did prior to changing the fluid in my transmission. Please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that other fluids will not work. What I am saying is that, GM recommends -88816800. Best of luck to you in whatever fluid you choose.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 09:06 PM
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If you have grinding issue only going into 2nd, you might need more than a simple fluid change. But, fluid change is cheap and easier than going into the trans, soooooooooooooo, GM part #88861800 is what recommend for ALL my builds for my warranty.
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Old Aug 27, 2011 | 09:21 PM
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I just had my 6 speed rebilut because of a 3-4 Syncro issue.

I described the issue to my tuner. It only grinded when the engine was at low RPM. Just cruising slowly, slow shifts. When I was running high rpm thru 3-4 it would not happen. My tuner told me that makes perfect sence, and its how the issues with the syncro's are described to him from many people. At low RPM its when the syncro's are really used I guess. I don't know the mechanics of it but he said if a syncro is going out your going to notice it at low rpm shifts more than high rpm shifts.

Luckily for me my tuner rebuilds 6 speeds in house, and uses all RPM hardware !

I'm loving the rebuild ! No more grinding...

Fluid change did not help me at all. Maybe it will help you though. I wish u luck !

Toque

Last edited by Toque; Aug 27, 2011 at 09:23 PM.
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