Engine My poor transmission...

its a 2003, its under warranty, take it in.

drain the transaxle fluid and check for metal pieces.

My poor transmission...

Isn't so healthy these days. I have a 2003 CE with the 5-spd manual and 45,000 miles on it. Anyhow, reverse is not doing so well...slid out into traffic a few weeks ago. It scared me, so I slammed it in reverse, redlined engine then dumped the clutch. It popped out of gear and never has sounded the same since. It's MUCH more noisy in reverse and kind of pulsates...something's definitely bent or broken in there.

Next on the list is 2nd gear. The gear engages smoothly, as long as I do it slowly. But above 40 mph, if I try to go into 2nd quickly from a higher gear, it grinds. Going into 2nd from 1st grinds if I go too fast. This is a change from what it use to be. It is my fault...no doubt about it. The synchro is dying on it. I rev-match all the time now for 2nd gear and 1st usually.

I have Mobil 1 synthetic 75W-90 gear oil in there now...API GL-5 I think it is. Anyhow....is there anything that will help with the synchro or is it just something I'll have to live with until I can afford a new transmission?? Redline MT-90 or anything else that will "revitalize" worn out synchronizers. Even thought mine isn't worn out, it's been straight-up abused, anyone know of anything that'll help??

Thanks,
Trav

Well, there's no doubt that they will refuse to cover it under warranty. It's due to abuse, plain and simple. I know it and so will they - right? I mean, am I right or wrong, here?

I have replaced the transmission fluid twice. First time b/c it was time to do it (30,000 miles). Second time b/c of the crunching and discomforting noises it was making. The 1st change, I don't remember what it looked like. The second time (most recent), there were no big chunks or flakes, but billions of small flakes. I sit the old fluid out in the sun and it was loaded with tiny flakes the size of powder....almost like a metal powder...and in essence I guess that's what it was - powdered. I took pictures of it. I stirred it up with a screw driver and sloshed it around in the sunlight...kind of had an irridescent/glazy/reflective/shiny appearance. Couldn't see through the fluid....it was too dark to see the bottom of the pan (2 qts. of fluid we're talking about here).

Normal or not??

Trav