Can't get into 2nd gear. Help!

[series88]

I have a 91 318 and recently, my car has been having trouble getting into 2nd gear and sometimes on 3rd. I checked the brake fluid reservoir to see if its low and it wasn't bad. I thought there might be some air in the system since my brakes were kinda funky so I bled the brakes and clutch as well. Gets into third now but 2nd is still an issue. It pops out but when I hold it in, it will grind and eventually get into gear. I think I have a g240 correct? Has anybody had this issue? Could the synchro be going out? is the "y" selector bad?

[carguy101]

The synchro may be going out, when was your clutch, slave, etc. last replaced? How are your shifter bushings?

I know that sometimes I have to change where I would think 2nd gear would be (granted this is under heavy braking and turning in an autox for a 3-2 shift) I would have to pull it back as if I was going into 4th. Try double clutching and see if that helps, as it is a technique for non-synchro cars. Report back, I am intereted.

Jeff

[mr.vang]

mine is a pain to get in 2nd after couple runs down the 1/4 mile.

[series88]

The synchro may be going out, when was your clutch, slave, etc. last replaced? How are your shifter bushings?

I know that sometimes I have to change where I would think 2nd gear would be (granted this is under heavy braking and turning in an autox for a 3-2 shift) I would have to pull it back as if I was going into 4th. Try double clutching and see if that helps, as it is a technique for non-synchro cars. Report back, I am intereted.

Jeff

Not exactly sure when the clutch was replaced but p.o said it was just done prior to selling the car. I personally had checked it out and it's pretty new. Slave is new. I replaced it about 1.5 months ago. Old one went out while swapping engine. double clutching sometimes work but very seldom though. Most of the time it doesn't help.

mine is a pain to get in 2nd after couple runs down the 1/4 mile.

Mine is a pain no matter what. :(

Also, btw, my throw out bearing is making noise and needs replacing. Would this affect shifting? What baffles me is that when I added brake fluid, third seemed to work 20x better but did not change 2nd at all. I got it in 2nd perfect once and thats about it

[series88]

Could it be just the shifter bushing?

[u3b3rg33k]

Jeff, your problem sounds like the engine/trans are moving around under braking / turning.

[carguy101]

Jeff, your problem sounds like the engine/trans are moving around under braking / turning.

It very well could be, I was having the same problem before I replaced the trans mounts (they were both in two pieces). Replaced them, a little better but still meh. I guess it's time to replace them and my shifter bushings too.

[series88]

Anyone who might have an idea about my problem?

[Vivek]

To be honest, replacing the transmission may be the simplest and most effective thing to do. There's someone on here selling a ~95k g240 in sunnyvale i believe. I think CJ is also selling a higher mileage one that shifted fine for pretty cheap.

But do at least check your bushings first.

[series88]

To be honest, replacing the transmission may be the simplest and most effective thing to do. There's someone on here selling a ~95k g240 in sunnyvale i believe. I think CJ is also selling a higher mileage one that shifted fine for pretty cheap.

But do at least check your bushings first.

I might be doing that. I just didn't know if it's really necessary to do the whole transmission or just the linkage. Im talking to someone about getting a g240.

[u3b3rg33k]

Mounts are pretty cheap, and if yours are original, it's probably time anyways. do all four (engine and trans).

[jeffnhiscars]

Normally you replace the TOB when you do a clutch so unless you rest your foot on the clutch pedal, a recent clutch swap shouldn't have TOB issues.

Trouble getting into to gear is either a synchro or the clutch not disengaging which you suspect, but popping OUT of gear is typically worn internals (bearings & bushings) or conceivably broken teeth.

[series88]

Normally you replace the TOB when you do a clutch so unless you rest your foot on the clutch pedal, a recent clutch swap shouldn't have TOB issues.

Trouble getting into to gear is either a synchro or the clutch not disengaging which you suspect, but popping OUT of gear is typically worn internals (bearings & bushings) or conceivably broken teeth.

Well the TOB whines so I figured it wasn't replaced by p.o. And a big mistake my me was forgetting to change it while doing the engine swap. I was more worried that the replacement engine I got was also shot. We were just supposed to test it out then drop it again.

But yeah, it's not so much that it pops out. It's more like tough to get in and would get 3/4 it's way in then grinds and pushes itself out. but if I hold it in, it will eventually get into gear and drive normally on 2nd.

[ieatpeople]

sounds like you need a trans, but you should replace all the motor /trans mounts and shifter bushing as well.

[jeffnhiscars]

Well the TOB whines so I figured it wasn't replaced by p.o. And a big mistake my me was forgetting to change it while doing the engine swap. I was more worried that the replacement engine I got was also shot. We were just supposed to test it out then drop it again.

But yeah, it's not so much that it pops out. It's more like tough to get in and would get 3/4 it's way in then grinds and pushes itself out. but if I hold it in, it will eventually get into gear and drive normally on 2nd.

The synchros are the 1st thing to make contact when you shift (hence the name) so once you get past them any problem getting in to or staying in gear would indicate worn out internals. If it literally feels like its pushing itself out of gear, time to start looking for a replacement. Obviously, more to do once you are in there :-)