Hard Time Shifting Into Second Gear

**velenium** · 01-31-2019, 11:49 PM

Hello all!

I bought a 2000 Z3 2.3 roughly a year ago and it's been an absolute blast to drive. That said, it's recently it's been really tough shifting into second gear from a cold start while every other gear feels fine. If the car's been driving for 5-10 minutes (or if it was driven recently) the issue with second gear is non-existent. I've read a few forums that were similarly related, but most of them have an issue with multiple gears not just one.

Any insight into the issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

**zellamay** · 02-01-2019, 01:26 AM

there are a few threads recently on the topic of shifting problems. The problems seem to vary among gears, but the first things to fix are the same. You can try bleeding the clutch line, but if you're going to that trouble, why not replace the line? you can try new fluid: some say it fixes problems. Most pundits say to get a new SS clutch line. I have one I still haven't put in yet. My car had an aftermarket clutch stop in it. I took that out, and shifting problems went away. That might mean I need to put that SS clutch line in. They are cheap, but a hassle to install.

**Mr Bingley** · 02-01-2019, 04:56 AM

Since the problem goes away as it warms up and is restricted to second gear only, I would guess that it's not clutch hydraulics behind it. You reference it being a recent problem and I see you are in Tennessee, have you been experiencing colder temps recently? I am guessing that it is simply a matter of the transmission fluid being very cold and needing to warm up a bit due to cold weather.

**velenium** · 02-01-2019, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Bingley

Since the problem goes away as it warms up and is restricted to second gear only, I would guess that it's not clutch hydraulics behind it. You reference it being a recent problem and I see you are in Tennessee, have you been experiencing colder temps recently? I am guessing that it is simply a matter of the transmission fluid being very cold and needing to warm up a bit due to cold weather.

Thanks for the reply, Bingley! It's certainly been cold here the last few months, but I had the car last winter and there wasn't an issue then. If it was the transmission fluid thickening up due to the cold, would it effect other gears?

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by zellamay

there are a few threads recently on the topic of shifting problems. The problems seem to vary among gears, but the first things to fix are the same. You can try bleeding the clutch line, but if you're going to that trouble, why not replace the line? you can try new fluid: some say it fixes problems. Most pundits say to get a new SS clutch line. I have one I still haven't put in yet. My car had an aftermarket clutch stop in it. I took that out, and shifting problems went away. That might mean I need to put that SS clutch line in. They are cheap, but a hassle to install.

I appreciate the reply, Zellamay. I've read that bleeding & replacing the clutch line might be the best place to start. I've also thought about replacing the transmission fluid in hopes that it's simply the fluid thickening up due to cold weather. It's just odd that it's only second gear being effected. If I end up bleeding or replacing the clutch line I'll report back with any changes!

**rasmuw** · 02-01-2019, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by velenium

I've also thought about replacing the transmission fluid in hopes that it's simply the fluid thickening up due to cold weather. It's just odd that it's only second gear being effected. If I end up bleeding or replacing the clutch line I'll report back with any changes!

My car is tough to shift into 5th when the transmission oil is cold. Other gears are not affected.

**Mr Bingley** · 02-01-2019, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by velenium

Thanks for the reply, Bingley! It's certainly been cold here the last few months, but I had the car last winter and there wasn't an issue then. If it was the transmission fluid thickening up due to the cold, would it effect other gears?!

Yeah, it may be colder this year than last--I know that's true here (-5 yesterday morning). It may only take a couple of degrees lower for you to notice hard shifting. It's going to effect some gear first--it appears to be second. Clutch line symptoms are the opposite--shifting is fine on a cold start, but gets harder as the car warms up. You could try pumping the clutch to see if that makes a difference--if it does that would indicate air in the hydraulics. You can try double clutching into second (pushing the clutch pedal in to get into neutral, letting it out in neutral, pushing it in again to go into second, all in quick succession), if that makes it shift properly then you might have a synchro issue in second--but I doubt that because it wouldn't get better when warm. Have you tried keeping it in a heated garage overnight?