3650 Shifting Troubles

[bullitt_2620]

Does heat really affect the stock 3650?? When I drive long distances, or in hot wheather for a while, the tranny hates reverse and 1st gear...it is stupid hard to get into gear. But I've never really had any problems with it in cooler temps, no second gear grind. Is there a tranny cooler or something out there? Maybe an oil cooler would help? Synthetic fluid?? Any ideas anyone?

 

[thomas91169]

try switching tranny fluid to something like Royal Purple Synchromax.

 

[nwapache]

+1 change fluid

 

[bullitt_2620]

Alright, next time I run into some cash ill put some royal purple in there. Anyone else have the notchy, hard to get into gear while hot, transmission? Do they even make tranny coolers for manual transmissions, i've seen them for autos, but never seen one for a manual.

 

[Rusty67]

You could make one but it would require an electric pump to be added. Auto trans have a built in pump that circulates the fluid. A manual trans has no such provision for cooling. Fluid in a stick doesn't generally need to be cooled. My dad's Bullitt doesn't have any problems in the LA heat, even in traffic when its over 104, so I doubt its temperature related.

My sugestions are to crawl under there and check your fluid level. That and adjust the clutch. Turn the car off, put it in 1st gear. Press the clutch pedal down and then release it. Next pull up on the clutch pedal from the bottem with your foot and then press it back down to the floor again. Do that maybe 3 times and that should be that.

 

[bullitt_2620]

I'm at college, so checking the fluid level won't happen for a while, unless there is an easier way than unscrewing the fill bolt. I guess i'll try adjusting the clutch, never thought that would cause a notchy tranny, we'll see what happens. Thanks for the help :SNSign:

 

[Stanged78]

Alright, next time I run into some cash ill put some royal purple in there. Anyone else have the notchy, hard to get into gear while hot, transmission? Do they even make tranny coolers for manual transmissions, i've seen them for autos, but never seen one for a manual.

Yes, I have this exact same problem. My car recently turned over 85,000 miles (it's a 2001 GT) and I put in Valvoline ATF for high mileage cars (75,000 plus). I think that may be part of the problem...I have a fairly new clutch and adjusting it doesn't seem to make any difference. I'll try a new ATF and see if there's an improvement.

My daily commute is about an hour each way. When I arrive home, I back the car into the garage. Now, however, I have to sit in the street for about 5 to 10 seconds, maniacally pushing the clutch pedal in repeatedly, before I can engage reverse to back my car up. I'm sure the neighbors enjoy the show I put on each day.

 

[lvmustanggt]

Don't use Royal Purple Synchromax if you got auto or even 5 speed. I change mine with Royal Purple Synchromax when I install my steeda tri-ax but transmission wasn't
running smooth . I now install MGW Shifter and change transmission oil with Royal Purple MAX ATF and now my transmission is smooth and my second gear grind is almost gone , I am loving it. By the way I got 5 speed.

 

[ToplessStang]

I had the TSB done last year along with new clutch. I have that problem also when the tranny is hot. Not my daily driver so it doesn't bother me to much but I may try a diffrent brand ATF.

 

[the98stang]

Is this a 5 speed? If so, reverse is a bitch in our cars because there arn't any synchros. You have to put it in first gear, THEN reverse. Other wise it'll be harder than hell to get into gear, and gind.

 

[trinity_gt]

My first inclination would be to suspect the clutch not fully releasing, not the trans. Transmissions are usually stiffer and more notchy when cold, when the fluid is thicker, than when they get hot.

 

[Superhereaux]

i adjusted my clutch and it didn't help (adj. quadrant and firewall adjuster). still have to FORCE it into 1st and reverse when it's hot. when it's cold it slides into gear easily


i've heard conventional ATF fluid like havoline or valvoline are supposed to be better than the synthetics, why i don't know but i'm going to try one of them when i throw an mgw shifter on it

 

[the98stang]

i adjusted my clutch and it didn't help (adj. quadrant and firewall adjuster). still have to FORCE it into 1st and reverse when it's hot. when it's cold it slides into gear easily


i've heard conventional ATF fluid like havoline or valvoline are supposed to be better than the synthetics, why i don't know but i'm going to try one of them when i throw an mgw shifter on it

Synthetics can withstand more heat, and also cleans the parts with detergants. I would stick with synthetic fluids, period.

 

[SilverBullet00]

Crazy, I switched from synthetic to dino fluid and my problems went away. I might try royal purple when I'm ready for a switch.

 

[Superhereaux]

Synthetics can withstand more heat, and also cleans the parts with detergants. I would stick with synthetic fluids, period.

manual trannys don't get hot enough (200*+) for severe heat to become a problem and conventionals have detergents in them as well

normally i'd suggest syn fluid as well but on the 3650 i've heard otherwise, like the post before this one