Author Topic: Possible Tranny Problem? (Read 2645 times)

new_guy · « **on:** July 09, 2005, 12:23:30 am »

Alright, so I got my first car today, YAY me. But I was driving around and when I went to shift into 5th the tranny wouldnt shift and it would just grind.

My dad was teaching me how to drive cause I have never driven standard and the same thing happened to him.

So tell me am I doing something wrong, or did I get screwd over with a bad tranny? BTW they told my they put a brand new clutch in the car any help would be greatly appriciated

tpl · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2005, 06:57:37 am »

Welcome to the forum New guy

Waht car is it, make and model and year?

Does the transmission shift into the other gears and reverse properly?

Can you shift in and out of fifth while stationary. That is, with the engine running, if you depress the clutch, shift into 5th and very slowly release the clutch that the engine will stall or the car start to move? and if so you can shift out of fifth again into neutral ok?

Assuming this is a normal 5th gear pattern ( 5th up and to the right, did you try shifting into 5th from 3rd, thats is, down into neutral, across rightwards and up into fifth? I am assuming that your normal shift was 4th into fifth.

depending on the make of car, someone will be along to help more.

new_guy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2005, 08:50:40 am »

The car is an '87 Nissan Pulsar. The transmission does shif into all the other gears including reverse properly, including reverse. I have not tried the stuff you told me to yet but once i get a chance I will. And yes it is a normal 5th gear pattern. Thanks for your help.

initial_D · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2005, 09:59:53 am »

Check tranny fluid first.
Could be synchros prematurely wear out and lead to 5th gear change "crunches".

Had a Datsun 200SX a few years back, my 2nd car, sold it at 350K. The 5th gear would pop out. Could be the fact the axle / tranny combination isn't strong enuff to last 300K +. Don't think your problem is related to the clutch.

tpl · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2005, 12:37:27 pm »

I am not familiar with the Pulsar but....

DOes anyone know what sort of linkage it is? rods? cables? It is FWD yes?

If it will go into 5th completely then I'd agree it could be synchros. If it wont go in at all I'd suspect the linkage somewhere. Why? because it is a gear outside the H pattern. So is reverse but that is in the other direction ( except on BMWs) It could well be that the linkage fore and aft movement is out of adjustment so it doesnt quite make it into 5th but reverse works fine.

if it will go in while stationary and pops out when you try to take off in 5th then it could be a detent spring/ball somewhere in the transmission OR the linkage.

New Guy I hope it is just a linkage adjustment...you could probablty live with no synchromesh on 5th but a transmission that pops out of gear is a pain. If it is the transmission itself then:

Learn mechanics realy quick and become familiar with the guy at your local wreckers.
Live with 4 gears

there is no such thing as a cheap transmission rebuild unless you do it yourself. In fact I wonder if there IS a transmission rebuild except at time and materials rates which could easily be over $1000 for labour alone

I had a bugeye sprite when I was 22 and lst a tooth on the 1st gear pinion which soon became no first gear AND no reverse.... did it myself with a buddy and a workshop manual in one day BUT THAT WAS A VERY SIMPLE CAR and required NO SPECIAL TOOLS which is what makes jobs like that so difficult nowdays.

Initial: It may be quite difficult to check the fluid... requires getting underneath and finding the filler plug and even then... is it a fill with a certain amount or a fill until oil comes out of the hole and you need a manual to determine waht sort of fluid as well. If one is to do that one may as well pay to have a Nissan dealer ( or specialist aftermarket) check it out.

(Message edited by tpl on July 09, 2005)

new_guy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2005, 01:34:13 am »

I had the transmission fluit checked today and it is fine. The car will be going into see a mechanic on monday. I hope I don't need a new transmission becayse that would really suck. Thank you for all your help.

articsteve · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2005, 10:58:02 pm »

It's probably the linkage and worn shifter bushings.

Did you do what TPL suggested?

Can you shift in and out of fifth while stationary. That is, with the engine running, if you depress the clutch, shift into 5th and very slowly release the clutch that the engine will stall or the car start to move? and if so you can shift out of fifth again into neutral ok?

new_guy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2005, 10:07:34 am »

I did try what TPL suggested. I can put it into 5th while stationary, and when I depress the clutch it does move forward a bit but then it grinds. While driving I can also get it into 5th but as soon as I give it gas it grinds. And I can shift back into neutral ok.

I took the car to a mechanic today and he told me to get another transmission put in the car. But I am going to have a very hard time affording that, so hopefuly there is something else I can do...

articsteve · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2005, 11:26:43 am »

OK, That's unfortunate. You got yourself a 4 speed for now.

What province are you in? Is your Pulsar a 1.6 litre double overhead cam? If so there are 3 used trannies available in Canada for $300 to $400.

new_guy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2005, 11:56:07 am »

I am in Ontario, and it is a 1.6 but I believe is is a single overhead cam (I don't know what that means though.) I took it to Mr. Transmission a couple minutes ago and they said I should get a used transmission put in because taking the current one apart will probably cost more. They found a used transmission and will have it Wednesday. They quoted me $650- $700 installed. Which from what I can tell is really good.

The thing that really pisses me off about this situation is that the person I bought it from called the same place just before I bought it asking about the same thing. I know it is my fault for not taking it to a mechanic but they should have at least told me.

Craig · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2005, 01:14:29 pm »

From your previous thread:

HAHAHA, well that is one of the reasons I want room in the back seat. But just to update everyone: I test drove the car today and it was great. So Im going to take it to a mechanic and if it turns out good then I will be getting my first car!

I thought you were taking it to a mechanic first?

Caveat Emptor. It ain't up to the seller to disclose that they got a quote for a new tranny.

adnix · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2005, 01:55:42 pm »

"Caveat Emptor. It ain't up to the seller to disclose that they got a quote for a new tranny."

Is that always the case? I know when you buy a house the seller has to disclose any non-obvious defects that they know about... I guess that's not true for a car?

new_guy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2005, 03:05:05 pm »

Well I was going to take it to a mechanic but they got the car certified and everything so I assumed it was all good to go. Clearly I was very wrong. And I don't care that they got a quote for a new tranny, I just wish they would have told me it needed a new one.

tpl · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2005, 05:25:33 pm »

So. sounds like one of:

a tooth broken on the layshaft for 5th gear or a totally shot layshaft bearing so the shaft runs out of line when load is applied (side to side or end to end). You didn't say it jumped out of 5th so my original thought of a detent spring was probably not correct.

Certainly would cost a lot to strip and rebuild if you are paying for labour. I bet if the transmission drain plug was pulled it would have a lot of metal dust in the oil.

If you buy a used transmission make very sure that it is the correct one before parting with any money. While it is out you might well check and possibly replace the clutch as well and, depending on exactly how it all comes apart ( the powertain module that is) check the diff oil and the inner driveshaft joints.

When you drove the car to test it ( or your father did as you at that time could not drive a standard, you obvioulsy never got into 5th gear)
This is a lesson in itself..... on a second hand car well into its golden years, CHECK EVERYTHING or have a qualified mechanic, preferably an independent specialist on that make, check EVERYTHING.... cheaper than a transmission...

my 2c

AVToller · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2005, 06:15:13 pm »

Tpl, amen!!

tpl · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2005, 06:37:23 pm »

AvT before I came to Canada I owned more than my share of geriatric vehicles that required me to become a Mr Goodwrrench, usually at the side of the road. <grin>
gearboxes, honing bores with emery cloth, "decokes" , rebuilding SU carbs, replacing rear springs on a bugeye and so on.

never no more.... If it aint under warranty I dont want one... although when I retire if we move to a place with a BIG garage workshop then, to quote Peter Sellars " zeez hands have not lost zer magic" and it may be time for an older car

AVToller · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2005, 09:57:20 pm »

Tpl, I think we had much the same sorts of experiences. I had 2 MG Magnettes - very interesting electrical systems to say the least. The needle bearings in the MGA transmission required patience, talent, and creative swearing to properly install. Decoking was fun. I could rebuild and tune SUs in my sleep - and sometimes did.

Etc.

On the other hand, I never want to HAVE TO do any of that again. I am tempted to keep my eyes open for a "project car" - a '60s B or Midget, or??? - someting to play with and eventually drive on occasion. Then I realize that my hands never really HAD that magic, I was just too cheap/poor to get someone else to do it. Maybe next year.

articsteve · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2005, 11:38:28 pm »

They found a used transmission and will have it Wednesday

So your going ahead with Mr.T. I assume.

Just so you know, 1.6 single cams are much more plentiful than the doubles and Mr.T will be paying about $200 bucks including shipping. So he is charging $500. for installation plus tax.

Hope the warranty is at least a year with no questions asked on the entire transmission.

Why not wait, drive the car and see how the rest of the car is before getting in too deep. Or in the very least learn on the present one for a month or two first.

tpl · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2005, 06:20:46 am »

New_Guy. I agree with Artic.

Avt: I only lost my SU spanner since we came to Canada...it definitely came with me , it was the only wrench I brought ( sold the rest)
YEs with a decent workshop, an MGB of the pre-raised, chrome bumper era ( a 71 maybe)would be a nice job, or even better if one could be found, a Lotus or caterham 7...easy to work on, put together with real nuts and bolts.

safristi · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2005, 02:53:48 pm »

Laughing with you two...Tpl you sound like Egan in Road &Track the ex mechanical guy who hasn't lost his touch and Av(ex)TOOL'er enjoys the memories not the grazed ,cold bleeding knuckles anymore..I prolly fall in the middle ground ...like a little bit of grit BUT no patience now fer the heavy SH*T...HOW THA HELL da'ya get these non twist beer tops off!!!!!!

..pass me the monkey wrench.......wench....!!!!