Third gear issue

[iamsam]

Hey guys real quick:

I'm looking at an '89 325i to buy and when i push the shifter into third gear, it will seem to go all right, no forcing involved, but it will take a second to engage.

If you shift into 3rd normally and release the clutch, it will grind, if you shift into third and wait for a sec before releasing the clutch, its fine and dandy.

The current owner (seller) is trying to tell me its a bushing in the shift linkage, but somehow it seems to me more like an internal transmission problem.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[jlevie]

That can be caused by worn shifter bushings. The only way you'll know whether it is wear in the transmission or the bushings is to replace the shifter bushings. If that doesn't fix the problem, it is within the transmission.

[justin_l_]

Sounds like syncro's to me because it is only one gear. Usually shifter bushings do it in all gears.

[Wh33lhop]

Sounds like syncro's to me because it is only one gear. Usually shifter bushings do it in all gears.

[iamsam]

Sounds like syncro's to me because it is only one gear. Usually shifter bushings do it in all gears.

right, and also the shifter doesn't have an inordinate amount of play, it seems pretty solid.

[DJB]

Is the problem only in third gear? If so, it's unlikely to be the shifter bushings.

It could be the synchronizer, but is more likely that the 3/4 gear shifter fork has worn down due to low transmission oil.