996 Gearbox very stiff when cold
996 Gearbox very stiff when cold
Author
Discussion

crusty

Original Poster:

765 posts

251 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all
Hello

I have recently purchased a 996 C4S and am loving it. However when cold I have to be really careful with the gears as they are quite hard to engage for the first 5 mins, and its very easy to crunch second if not being careful.

After I have done a mile or two it is fine.

Is this normal, or should I be looking deeper?


GT Glee

705 posts

206 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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There is a difference when cold but what you describe is not normal in my experience.

Country Boy

300 posts

265 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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I had a problem engaging reverse when the engine was hot. Turned out that the linkage needed adjustment. Indie sorted and perfect now - my guess is yours needs adjustment.

X-UFO

267 posts

219 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all
crusty said:
Hello

I have recently purchased a 996 C4S and am loving it. However when cold I have to be really careful with the gears as they are quite hard to engage for the first 5 mins, and its very easy to crunch second if not being careful.

After I have done a mile or two it is fine.

Is this normal, or should I be looking deeper?
My C2 has been exactly as you describe since I got it three and a half years ago. In that time it hasn't got worse. After searching and questioning this on other forums I came to the conclusion that it is just one of those things you have to live with or depending how deep your pockets are get the gearbox taken out and overhauled.

Going into second is the worst on mine but when you get used to it you know for the first few miles just to be careful when going into second.

Another thing that seems relatively common with these gearboxes is 'popping out' of second which mine doesn't do.

It's not a major inconvenience to live with compared with the cost in my opinion.


crusty

Original Poster:

765 posts

251 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all
X-UFO said:
My C2 has been exactly as you describe since I got it three and a half years ago. In that time it hasn't got worse. After searching and questioning this on other forums I came to the conclusion that it is just one of those things you have to live with or depending how deep your pockets are get the gearbox taken out and overhauled.

Going into second is the worst on mine but when you get used to it you know for the first few miles just to be careful when going into second.

Another thing that seems relatively common with these gearboxes is 'popping out' of second which mine doesn't do.

It's not a major inconvenience to live with compared with the cost in my opinion.
Have you tried changing the gearbox oil and did it make any difference?

X-UFO

267 posts

219 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all

That's something I have been tempted to do but not got round to it. The oil in the gearbox is supposed to last at least 120K miles from what I can gather.

My worry is that it will make it worse :-)

It would be typical of my luck to try to fix a little something and create something even worse ;-)


Biggriff

2,312 posts

315 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all
Try some Redline 75/90NS it makes a big difference. Its not cheap oil but it is very good.

Having oil in a gearbox for 120k is madness.

GT Glee

705 posts

206 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all
Come to think of it I've noticed 1st to 2nd being a little delicate in cold weather from a cold start, but as you say it clears quickly.

It could be the nature of the design rather than indicative of a required rebuild, which I would regard if the same were happening at operating temp.

The GT3 - being a different gearbox altogether - also exhibts a difference after cold start but is what I would describe as a slight increase in resitance generally.


stubbsy996

785 posts

244 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
quotequote all
X-UFO said:
crusty said:
Hello

I have recently purchased a 996 C4S and am loving it. However when cold I have to be really careful with the gears as they are quite hard to engage for the first 5 mins, and its very easy to crunch second if not being careful.

After I have done a mile or two it is fine.

Is this normal, or should I be looking deeper?
My C2 has been exactly as you describe since I got it three and a half years ago. In that time it hasn't got worse. After searching and questioning this on other forums I came to the conclusion that it is just one of those things you have to live with or depending how deep your pockets are get the gearbox taken out and overhauled.

Going into second is the worst on mine but when you get used to it you know for the first few miles just to be careful when going into second.

Another thing that seems relatively common with these gearboxes is 'popping out' of second which mine doesn't do.

It's not a major inconvenience to live with compared with the cost in my opinion.
Had exactly the same with my 996 C2. Kept it 4 & 1/2 years and it never got any better or worse. Was only the change from 1st to 2nd when cold. After a couple of gear changes it was then ok. I always found engaging 2nd from 1st a liitle less slick than all the other gear changes though!

Bumble SV

248 posts

237 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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I have experienced this on several different cars (inc 993, M3, Caterham).

The easiest and cheapest resolution - go from 1st to 3rd and avoid 2nd for the first few miles.

mavester

54 posts

249 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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My C4S is exactly the same. First to second is a bit difficult when the car is cold but as long as you're careful then it's not too bad. The gearbox is fantastic when warmed up properly though.

6C4GTS

5,186 posts

209 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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Have you got a short shift kit on it?

stubbsy996

785 posts

244 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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6C4GTS said:
Have you got a short shift kit on it?
Mine didn't have. I did consider fitting one but was put off by the concensus of opinion being that short shift made the gear change even stiffer when cold.

6C4GTS

5,186 posts

209 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
stubbsy996 said:
6C4GTS said:
Have you got a short shift kit on it?
Mine didn't have. I did consider fitting one but was put off by the concensus of opinion being that short shift made the gear change even stiffer when cold.
Interesting - mine has a really short shift on it and I don't get big problems, certainly do not have to avoid gears.

PS: I'm in Scotland its fecking perishing all the time!