Gearbox Notchy when cold

[chrisbr68]

Hello everyone. I drive a 94 Facelift 200sx S13.

I have found, particularly when cold, the gearbox is slightly reluctant to go into gear. The gearbox oil has not been changed for a year (I only got the car last weekend), and so I am planning to change it. Would you suspect nice new oil to make a difference, or would you put it down to age and wear on the car/something else?

The manual recommends API GL-4 fully synth, is there any make you would consider 'better' and worth shelling out for? Or should I consider a different viscous level due to it happening in the cold, and it being fine when its warmed?

Thanks in advance for any tips, Chris.

[jap-car]

Hi Chris,

Nice car (I have a S14 200SX). As changing the oil is easy, that's what I would do first. I'd use any good brand of synthetic of the viscosity reccomended by Nissan. It shouldn't really need changed after only a year but perhaps it was poor oil or the level is low.

Also, get yourself to www.sxoc.co.uk/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=10 It's a great site and I am sure all your questions will be answered with a quick search.

Cheers,

Robert.

[chrisbr68]

Hi Rob, nice car yourself!

Im a member of sxoc as well, I posted and got some advice, but not all that I wanted. But youve confirmed what I suspected, stick with the oil recommendation for the moment.

Thanks for the speedy reply!

Ps, where abouts are you located? I really need to get to an owners meet up.

>> Edited by chrisbr68 on Friday 17th February 09:36

[jap-car]

chrisbr68 said:

youve confirmed what I suspected, stick with the oil recommendation for the moment. Ps, where abouts are you located? I really need to get to an owners meet up.

It's just my opinion but if the box is problematic with good quality original spec oil then a different viscosity isn't going to fix it.

Aberdeen - perhaps a touch far for a meet

[pdmotors]

Hi, i'm not totally familiar with the car in question, does it have a hydraulic clutch? A slight leak/ pin prick in the hose or seals can cause the pedal to lose its pressure overnight. Pressure would be returned after a few pumps of the pedal. If the problem only happens for the first few gear changes maybe this would be worth investigating as it would feel like the gearbox if you were not getting enough lift on the clutch to properly disengage the plate from the flywheel. Happy regards, Paul.

[chrisbr68]

Cheers Paul.

Yes it does have one, but the symptom is present for the first 5 minutes or so. I think I will have a look at this at some point, but its not at the top of the list.

Thanks again.

[jap-car]

pdmotors said:

Hi, i'm not totally familiar with the car in question, does it have a hydraulic clutch? A slight leak/ pin prick in the hose or seals can cause the pedal to lose its pressure overnight. Pressure would be returned after a few pumps of the pedal. If the problem only happens for the first few gear changes maybe this would be worth investigating as it would feel like the gearbox if you were not getting enough lift on the clutch to properly disengage the plate from the flywheel. Happy regards, Paul.

That's a good point. I had a similar problem on my MR2 and it was due to badly contaminated clutch hydraulic fluid (old, low level and also the previous owner had replaced the lost reservoir cap with some cling film.