Weak gearboxes
26 February 2001, 04:49 AM
#1
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Is there any inherent problem with the gearboxes on Impreza's?
I came across a problem with mine last weekend when after a run of 2-3 hours my gears would crunch when changing up i.e. 3rd to 4th, every single time despite putting the clutch pedal completely to the floor, but if I leave the car to cool down for a couple of hours they are okay again with no crunching.
Also, when the car is cold, 1st and 2nd are extremely difficult to engage i.e. when moving,3rd into 2nd or 2nd into 1st when nearly stopped. The only way I can get 1st is at a standstill.
Is it an oil related problem or do I have a mechanical fault within in the box?
Car is a MY99 if there is any relevance.
Cheers
A
I came across a problem with mine last weekend when after a run of 2-3 hours my gears would crunch when changing up i.e. 3rd to 4th, every single time despite putting the clutch pedal completely to the floor, but if I leave the car to cool down for a couple of hours they are okay again with no crunching.
Also, when the car is cold, 1st and 2nd are extremely difficult to engage i.e. when moving,3rd into 2nd or 2nd into 1st when nearly stopped. The only way I can get 1st is at a standstill.
Is it an oil related problem or do I have a mechanical fault within in the box?
Car is a MY99 if there is any relevance.
Cheers
A
26 February 2001, 10:59 AM
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An obvious question - have you checked the oil level on the dipstick?.
I noticed that the change on my car had become slightly 'sticky', and so I checked the oil level on the gearbox dipstick. It showed slightly over the minimum mark, so I didn't bother to fill it straight away.
However, when I did I filled it to slightly over the maximum mark, the shift quality improved massively with less baulking and much improved smoothness.
I re-filled with something different to the previous factory fill - I used Comma 80/90W GL5 spec oil, so this could be a factor.
Cheers,
Alex
I noticed that the change on my car had become slightly 'sticky', and so I checked the oil level on the gearbox dipstick. It showed slightly over the minimum mark, so I didn't bother to fill it straight away.
However, when I did I filled it to slightly over the maximum mark, the shift quality improved massively with less baulking and much improved smoothness.
I re-filled with something different to the previous factory fill - I used Comma 80/90W GL5 spec oil, so this could be a factor.
Cheers,
Alex
26 February 2001, 11:34 AM
#4
Alan
From my experience Impreza`s have weak synchromesh. My 99MY will crunch slightly from 1st to 2nd when cold and 4th to 5th is rather baulky and will crunch noticably when changing up at high revs. Changing the oil to Full synthetic 75w/90 Silkoline made virtually no difference, although it is certainly worth a try.
JohnD
From my experience Impreza`s have weak synchromesh. My 99MY will crunch slightly from 1st to 2nd when cold and 4th to 5th is rather baulky and will crunch noticably when changing up at high revs. Changing the oil to Full synthetic 75w/90 Silkoline made virtually no difference, although it is certainly worth a try.
JohnD
26 February 2001, 01:05 PM
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Hi,
Just in case if any of you have a problem with your gear box and decided to change to the gears, search for my post in the Drivetrain section for "list of parts for sale" You can see a lot of items which includes STI Close ratio gear set.
Cheers
WRX500BHP
Just in case if any of you have a problem with your gear box and decided to change to the gears, search for my post in the Drivetrain section for "list of parts for sale" You can see a lot of items which includes STI Close ratio gear set.
Cheers
WRX500BHP
26 February 2001, 06:37 PM
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My oil is very clean and is filled to the correct level. My worry is I may already have mechanical damage done to the box.
Do you think changing the oil for a synthetic type will be worthwhile or has the problem gone too far already?
Do you think changing the oil for a synthetic type will be worthwhile or has the problem gone too far already?
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26 February 2001, 10:10 PM
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Alan,
Despite the fact my motors a jap and older than u r`s, I had similar problems. I chose to ignore them and paid the price
Wot price woz that? Trashed my gearbox an ended up having 2 get a new 1, my wallet`s still aching.. Mine started to be hard to engage reverse, then over time when hot first wouldn`t engage, then 2nd got awkward.
Finally about 2 weeks back BANG no gears.
I saw the box stripped down, not pretty could count all the gearteeth remaining on two hands. When 1 gear lets go it`s like a hand grenade going off in the box.
I`d suggest either try an oil change an if u don`t notice a difference soon, get the box checked out. Think from when I first noticed it to ruin was only about 1000 - 2000 miles
Pete
Despite the fact my motors a jap and older than u r`s, I had similar problems. I chose to ignore them and paid the price
Wot price woz that? Trashed my gearbox an ended up having 2 get a new 1, my wallet`s still aching.. Mine started to be hard to engage reverse, then over time when hot first wouldn`t engage, then 2nd got awkward.Finally about 2 weeks back BANG no gears.
I saw the box stripped down, not pretty could count all the gearteeth remaining on two hands. When 1 gear lets go it`s like a hand grenade going off in the box.
I`d suggest either try an oil change an if u don`t notice a difference soon, get the box checked out. Think from when I first noticed it to ruin was only about 1000 - 2000 miles
Pete
26 February 2001, 10:29 PM
#9
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Good quality synthetic could help but sometimes the box gets like that because of the synthetic ... too slippy ... and improves when a good semi-synthetic is used instead. Have you recently had a 30k service ? That is when the box fluid is first changed. I have seen gearboxes in bits that were like yours and they had no signs of any wear or damage at all, the baulk rings seem to get a bit sticky on some possibly due to surface condition.
Try an oilchange first, use the recommended Subaru fluid (for reasons of warranty) and see if it improves.
Try an oilchange first, use the recommended Subaru fluid (for reasons of warranty) and see if it improves.
26 February 2001, 10:37 PM
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Thanks Guys
Hi Bob, long time no chat, trust you are well.
The car has done 22K now and dealer is taking the car in next month for inspection.
He did mention that Subaru have an alternative oil to what they are supplied with but whether it's true or not, I don't know.
I have heard of some people having problems with boxes but didn't know if there was an inherent problem with them, hence the query.
My dealer also said that he hadn't came across any Impreza's with faults in their gearboxes. (This is a dealer of 20+ years standing)...
A
Hi Bob, long time no chat, trust you are well.
The car has done 22K now and dealer is taking the car in next month for inspection.
He did mention that Subaru have an alternative oil to what they are supplied with but whether it's true or not, I don't know.
I have heard of some people having problems with boxes but didn't know if there was an inherent problem with them, hence the query.
My dealer also said that he hadn't came across any Impreza's with faults in their gearboxes. (This is a dealer of 20+ years standing)...
A
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