The 'E' Type Forum

Series 1.5 and when hot in traffic it becomes extremely difficult to engage 1st gear. When cooler again there is no problem. Any thoughts on the cause of this?

Stuart

Typicall symptom of slave cylinder not adjusted correctly.....Or selector machanism on gearbox cover....Steve

And as a temporary way to help: engage second gear then first when the car is at rest. It’s an old trick but does work, but sorting out the problem as Steve recommends is the important job.

Geoff

Have checked slave cylinder and have tried trying to engage 2nd gear first. I suspect that the problem is in the selection mechanism in the gearbox. It is clearly heat induced.
Stuart

When 1st is hard to engage, how is reverse? Does it engage normally or do the gears grind?
Tom

alfazagato wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:35 am

It is clearly heat induced.
Stuart

Might be worth changing your oil to Redline MT90.

Well a modicum of adjustment on the slave cylinder push rod has made a difference but still not perfect. Oil change is next on the list and thank you all for your advice. Merry Christmas.

Stuart

Hi i changed to automatic transmission fluid on my s3 4 speed its transformed the gear changes hot and cold syncro on second crunched a bit on way down when not fully hot now perfect

Try Redline MTL rather than going straight to Auto Trans Fluid.
Viscosity is between MT90 and Auto Trans Fluid.
Been using it in my retrofit later close ration all synchro box for years and works great. A little noiser than MT90 and less than Auto Trans Fluid.