I park facing forward so on a morning I start the car and it never wants to go into reverse very easily. I put it in 3rd then neutral and goes in fine. No probs whatsoever when warm. Can I assume putting some proper gear oil in there is going to help me? Seems like the gears just need a slight fraction of a turn and this allows it to engage...

Ta

MB

 

common problem 2nd gear is also a usual suspect for being awkward when cold

 

Thanks Rob. Anyone cured / improved it? I think some good gear oil might help, so ill get some in and report back. The fact that its ok when warm suggests some mechanical stick when cold to me and a better oil may sort it.

MB

 

i get this too.. some people have reported an improvement with new oil

 

Noticed this too - put it down to normal behaviour until at normal temp at which point I feel like I'm having sex with every gear change its THAT good

 

Yep new gear oil always helps. I changed mine twice in 15,000 miles - does make a difference for a while

 

Mine does this in second until it's warm - I've got used to easing it into 2nd when cold. Once warm its fine.

Glad to hear it's fairly common - I keep thinking of the long term Autocar one a few years ago that needed a new box.

Incidentally, the EVO long termer report this month mentions jumping out of gear! Scary!!

 

The reverse thing (and low gears) is common in all sorts of cars. The crank is going round slowly, the oil hasn't had a chance to flow round the gearbox, and the low gears & reverse have tighter gaps for the teeth to get in. Something like 3rd is ok so putting it in 3rd then into 1st/rev is enough to move the cogs and oil around a bit thus making 1st/reverse easier to engage.

Could be wrong but that's how I see it. Must go read some about gearboxes

 

Redline gearbox oil seems to have improved mine noticeably

 

Hey Rob, you got your new motor yet?