Clutch Question

[vheidenr]

Hello all:

I own an '03 Boxster S with approximately 25K miles....I purchased it as a used vehicle a few months ago. Had a PPI done and was given a clean bill of health.

I have been having an occassional issue however. Once every 100 shifts or so, when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the transmission doesn't seem to engage all the way and I grind the gears a bit. It happens so infrequently that at first I passed it off as a sloppy shift.

It tends to occur more often when the car is cold, but has happened when properly warmed. It only happens when shifting into second gear (either up or down).

There is no noticible clutch slippage to speak of....Just this occassional grind.

Any ideas what might be causing this?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Edited June 1, 2007 by vheidenr

[99C2_Riyanto]

There is nothing wrong with your transmission. This is a common question asked by owners of the 6 speed. There is something peculiar about the double cone synchros of the 2nd gear. Some owners have tried a variety of transmission oil to remedy this, but there is always a trade off. For example, I have Amsoil now in my transmission. It improves the shifting when hot, but exaggerates the behavior when cold. I have read owners' review of other brands and sounds like there is something better and worse with every different tranny lube product. Yes, you can actually feel the shifting changes with different oil brand.

Just take your time shifting into 2nd, especially when cold. Don't rush it.

There is very little chance that your 2nd gear synchros are bad. Even IF that is true, I personally wouldn't rush to a mechanic to have the transmission rebuilt if the grinding is only occasional. The cost to rebuild a transmission is stratospherical and will be the same cost regardless the condition of the synchros. I personally would try to nurse it as long as I can by not rushing my shifts and using double clutching technique when downshifting to 2nd. JMHO :drive:

[vheidenr]

I hadn't thought of that. I should also clarify that it only happens when I've shifted the care into second gear and begin to let out the clutch.....Does this make it more likely that it is a synchro issue?