notchy/gritty transmission. every gear grinding

[prest1ge]

It's been 2 weeks and 920 miles since I picked up my BRZ 6MT Limited. My experience has been good so far...great handling, revvy engine, attention whore (yeah yeah u guys have heard it all 100x). As much as I want to be a die-hard lover of this car, I must admit that the gearbox has been bugging me quite a bit. The first time something stuck out at me was within the first 50 miles when the shifter failed to engage 1st gear. However, allowing the shifter to idle in neutral for a few seconds fixed the issue. This problem happened quiet often (at least once a day since then). Then around a week ago, I noticed an increase in roughness of my gearbox. I figured it might've been a symptom of the transmission fluid warming up to temp. The big issue began yesterday when my gearbox grinded every time I shifted into second or third. The problem has worsened exponentially today. Every single gear grinds 9 out of 10 entries. The gearbox produces a horrible sound and the whole car jerks every time it happens. Additionally, when the gearbox doesn't grind, it would instead produce an unusual effect that feels like the shifter is being sucked in by magnets as it approaches a gear. I'm pretty disappointed and worried about the car. Unfortunately, I'm out of town until next Monday, so no service until then. Anyone else notice a similar issue?

[Mr.Jay]

wtf? That doesn't sound right at all

My 6MT is fine real smooth. Only issue is shifting into 1st and from 1-2 when the car hasn't warmed up at all.

I would get the dealer to look at it considering we already have heard of a dealer not putting any tranny fluid in a car before selling it.

[Neekowahhhh]

What he said^^^ that would be my first concern if I had that problem

[Vracer111]

You might want to verify there is transmission fluid in the transmission: there has been an FR-S that didn't have fluid in the transmission from the factory...

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10450

[prest1ge]

Forgetting to put transmission fluid into the car? WTF? If that's the reason for my messed up gearbox, I wonder if it's somehow related to my low gas mileage as well (23.9-24.2 on 3 fillups). I have a very light foot and know how to achieve averages well above EPA ratings. I consistently get 28-29mpg averages in my gf's IS250 (v6, much heavier car), so my BRZ averages has raised some concerns...

[#87]

If it is easily reproduceable just bring it to the service department.

[RallySport Direct]

If the car jerks, to me that would signal that the clutch is not fully disengaging. I still think you should let the dealership deal with it, but I figure any information you can give them will make their life easier.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Rick

[RallySport Direct]

Also again, not that I recommend doing things yourself when the dealership can take care of it, but doing some research I came across this:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8040

If it was in fact your clutch not disengaging 100%, that *might* be a fix for it, assuming nothing else is wrong with the hydraulic system.

Let us know what you figure out.
Thanks!
Rick

[s1monn]

how do you check for the fluid in transmission or you'll have to bring it back to the dealership for that??

[FT-86GOD]

Originally Posted by s1monn

how do you check for the fluid in transmission or you'll have to bring it back to the dealership for that??

U should know this!!.... AND EVERYONE WHO OWNS A CAR SHOULD!!!!.... Not trying to be a douche but seriously people should know these things like knowing how to fit the spare wheel......

For ANYONE who doesnt know how to check there oil/water/whatever levels they should read there Drivers Manual ASAP....All pre checks are explained in detail in there...

U cant rely on others to wipe ur a$$ for u all the time.....

When u take possession of ur new vehicle u should just give it a quick once over at the dealership, even ask one of the mechanics if u feel a bit unsure of urself..... If this turns out to be a low tranny fluid issue it will be very sad....

I know u expect the dealership/mechanics to have already checked all this as part of there pre checks before handing u the keys and u should, its there job but know ur car!!...
Especially a drivers car like this one..... Just my opinion...

[csaba]

Originally Posted by FT-86GOD

U should know this!!.... AND EVERYONE WHO OWNS A CAR SHOULD!!!!.... Not trying to be a douche but seriously people should know these things like knowing how to fit the spare wheel......

For ANYONE who doesnt know how to check there oil/water/whatever levels they should read there Drivers Manual ASAP....All pre checks are explained in detail in there...

U cant really on others to wipe ur a$$ for u all the time.....

When u take possession of ur new vehicle u should just give it a quick once over at the dealership, even ask one of the mechanics if u feel a bit unsure of urself..... If this turns out to be a low tranny fluid issue it will be very sad....

I know u expect the dealership/mechanics to have already checked all this as part of there pre checks before handing u the keys and u should, its there job but know ur car!!...
Especially a drivers car like this one..... Just my opinion...

Why do you thing everybody here is a master mechanic like you?
(Sarcasm)
You think the avarage JOE wants to bother checking trans oil to make sure the dealer did not F it up I don't think so ! people by the car to enjoy it not to second guessing!!
Since when do you have to check transmission fluid daily ?
The location of the fill up hole for the trans is not like the engine oil stick ,for a reason!
The trans oil should last the lifetime of the car!
Who would expect a brand new car you just paid 23K plus to come with no trans fluid!?

By the way your post was really helpfull!!

[FT-86GOD]

Originally Posted by csaba

The trans oil should last the lifetime of the car!

Sure it should....

And i never mentioned anything about checking car daily.... But i think its important to know the things that are even stated in the drivers manual and check them from time to time..... Im not gonna debate this stuff with u.......

[JP]

to check the oil you need to raise the car up, remove the undertrays, remove the filler bung on the side of the box and put your finger in to feel the oil level.

There's 2 bungs on the side, lower is the drain, upper is the filler. Detailed on page 66 of the service manual.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by prest1ge

The gearbox produces a horrible sound and the whole car jerks every time it happens. Additionally, when the gearbox doesn't grind, it would instead produce an unusual effect that feels like the shifter is being sucked in by magnets as it approaches a gear. I'm pretty disappointed and worried about the car. Unfortunately, I'm out of town until next Monday, so no service until then. Anyone else notice a similar issue?

Don't drive the car any more and get it to a dealer asap. Something is definitely wrong.

Originally Posted by csaba

The trans oil should last the lifetime of the car!

Uhh, no. Transmission fluid and gear oil breaks down just like engine oil, just as a much slower rate. It should NOT last the life of the car. Your trans fluid/oil should be changed at every 30K service.

Originally Posted by JP

to check the oil you need to raise the car up, remove the undertrays, remove the filler bung on the side of the box and put your finger in to feel the oil level.

There's 2 bungs on the side, lower is the drain, upper is the filler. Detailed on page 66 of the service manual.

That's excessive and it pisses me off that manufacturers are doing this more and more on new cars. They say they're doing it because people can't tell the difference between the engine oil dipstick and the transmission dipstick. They much think their customers are all idiots. (Yes, quite a few are, but not all). But it keeps people from easily checking their fluid levels which is just wrong. As above, at least one car has left the factory with no transmission fluid, and this might be the second. Without a simple dipstick, it can't be checked without a lot of work, so it's not done during a PDI where it could be easily discovered.

Forget being empty, do we know that our transmissions were filled to the power level? Maybe they're low? But we can't tell unless we have at least a floor jack and four jackstands and an hour of time.

Drives me batty. I think I'm going to request my dealership spend some warranty time on checking my trans oil level...