Hard to get into 1st Gear!? :P

[dartagne]

Back in a jetttttttttaaaaa ! last one was a 1.8t, now its a 2.slow but its sorta peppy i guess..

just got car, and everything ok except...

-when warmed up, hard to get into first gear sometimes. Double-clutching or putting it in 2nd first usually helps
-car has 130,000miles
-original clutch (but very smooth, grabs about half way from floor, no slipping)


This is a bit annoying in busy traffic if at a stop and go to put it in gear... any advice on what to check?

[mcrow]

I think your first gear syncro is almost pooched if double clutching helps it. Since when you double clutch your pretty much doing the job of the syncro.

[slappy]

Sounds like the synchronizers. Don't know how to check or replace them.

[dartagne]

hmm.. but why would reverse go in easily when it has no synchros?

could the problem be clutch related too... clutch master or slave cylinder? what symptoms would they produce?

[mcrow]

I think if your master cylinder was fuked your clutch pedal would feel really weird and have little resistance. But it would make it tough to get in gear, would grind a little.

Check that your fluid level is good in the clutch master and brake fluid resevoir. And also check the your in rod in the slave cylinder is moving when your pressing clutch. Might need a buddy.

And i think if it was a clutch problem it would effect all gears, not just one. I still think its your synchronizer

[Geezir]

A bad slave/master cylinder would result in a virtually non existent clutch pedal. Would go right to the floor and would be like driving without a clutch.

My thoughts are your 1st gear syncro. My truck has a blown syncro in the third gear and it has the same problem.

[dartagne]

update!!!

I asked one VW mechanic and he said its the clutch without doubt (plate etc)... which I still kind of doubt

and...

when the car is stone cold, it shifts fine! just drove to work, and whole way for 10minute drive, no problems at all getting it into first...


do you think changing transmission oil would help? what about flushing the clutch fluid? the problem is heat related - i think - so may have to do with changing viscosity??

[mcrow]

Yes try changing the tranny fluid its cheap, and can fix many things. By clutch fluid do you mean your hydraulic system, like clutch master and slave?

[dartagne]

exactly the clutch is hydraulically activated, so flushing fluid might help?

[mcrow]

It could i guess, it would be the cheaper attempt to fix. Who knows it may help. Just make sure you get all the air out of the system after bleeding.