Manual tranny hard to shift when cold

[mudhead]

I've got a '97 V6 4x4 5sp with 104K. When cold (35F) there is significant resistance in the 1-2 shift. The situation improves once everything is up to operating temperature. The trasmisssion oil was changed 3 months ago by the local in/out lube place with what I believe was the corrrect weight oil.

Anyone else have this issue?

Could this be related to shifter bushing degredation?

Any help/thoughts appreciated.

 

[pat161]

Have you owned the truck in previous winters and not had the same resistance? I ask as when I had my 00 5 speed it could be a bit notchy in cold weather, running a good synthetic could help a bit. I tried both Mobil1 and Redline and preferred the MT-90 for ease of cold weather shifting. If it is clearly a new issue then the shifetr bushing could be a good, fairly easy and cheap place to start.

 

[fourwd1]

Typically, temp would not affect a bad shifter seat.
Possibly the problem has been there but not as apparent until the gear oil was changed. Gear oil (like motor oil) looses viscosity over time due to wear and heat.

 

[fourwd1]

But replacing the seat and cup is a cheap and easy place to start troubleshooting.

 

[mudhead]

Thanks for the input guys. I have had the truck for the past 8 winters with temps to zero, but the issue "seems" worse than usual.

I'm going to change the gear oil again - probably going with Mobil/Redline synthetic.. Tackling the seat/bushing look fairly simple and cheap - may try that too.

 

[raydouble]

Probably the cheapest oil they could find, switch to Redline MT90, never look back. :cowboy:

 

[Batsoff]

I think this is pretty normal... both of my cars (S4, 4Runner) are hard to shift between 1-2 when it's cold out.

I usually do a couple of rows between 1-2-3-4 before I get going in the 4Runner, by the time I leave my neighborhood things are usually up to temp and working better.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

noticing same thing

I used to run synthetics in all tcases and just recently switched back to petro products.

I am noticing same thing-we had a recent cold spell -under 0 degrees F

and it got real notchy into 1st and 2nd. A little bit for reverse also.

I'll be changing back to synthetic first.

 

[Izanewman]

I've got a '97 V6 4x4 5sp with 104K. When cold (35F) there is significant resistance in the 1-2 shift. The situation improves once everything is up to operating temperature. The trasmisssion oil was changed 3 months ago by the local in/out lube place with what I believe was the corrrect weight oil.

Anyone else have this issue?

Could this be related to shifter bushing degredation?

Any help/thoughts appreciated.

I have a 99 T4R with a 5-speed. I experience the same thing on cold mornings. I've had the same thing happen with other 5 speeds I have owned. I want to say it is perfectly normal, but I don't have the technical knowledge to back it up.