Another e36 tranny question -- poor cold shifting into 3rd

[jordanLINY]

hi,

Yet another tranny question relating to my aging e36.

Recently (very recently, like the past week) my car refuses to shift into 3rd for the first few minutes of operation. I am not double-clutching when this happens (I think I should.) This is after the car has been sitting in the driveway overnight in 40 -- 50 degrees F. I'm well aware that the tranny will be stiff for the first few miles, and I plan for that (slow deliberate shifting, a little double-clutching.) After getting all warmed up 3rd and all other gears work reasonably well with some notch, no grind. I replaced the tranny fluid with redline atf two months ago.

Being that I'm a college student I'm willing to live with character defects (lack of funds kinda does that.) Anything to do, besides being gentle with the car, to keep from wearing the car down?

I've already begun to collect my pennies for repairs :-(

thanks
jordan

[The HACK]

Before you start skipping lunch and dinner to save up for a new transmission, you may want to try swapping your transmission fluids for ATF Manual Transmission Fluid. ATF's fluid is suppose to aid cold starts, and if the symptoms go away after the transmission warms up then the ATF MTL can and will address the cold start problems.

Give it a try. Transmission fluid changes are like .5 hour job.

[scottn2retro]

My '95 e36 M3 did not want to go into 1st gear until warmed up a little. Try making sure you depress the clutch pedal as far as it will go until she's warmed up. It helped with mine. :)

[gpasky]

where is the tranny fluid replaced at? wheres it located to replace the fluids in the engine compartment?

thanks

[dba007]

hi , the problem could also be resolved by using slick 50 gear oil. in a worn tranny this stuff works pretty good due to its teflon ingridients. this is just a temporary fix however if the tranny reqs atf fluid or if the syncros are worn. in the future when you do start with a fresh tranny it would be a major investment to use synthetic fluids. it will prolong the life of many internal parts and premature wear and tear.

[Pinecone]

You mean the same Slick 50 that has paid offMANY claims due to damage caused by their product?

For best perforamnce, use BMW MTF LTF2 fluid, but it is EXPENSIVE> Othewise use Mobil 1 gear lube, or Royal Purplae. Some people swear by RedLine, some people swear AT RedLine. You choice.