IFG

Guys,
I need some help please. I'm having problems selecting 1st and to a lesser extent 2nd gear on the 6 speed box of my Sti7 when going down the gears, primarily when cold. 1st won't even go in when stationary unless forced (which I don't like doing)
After 10-15 minutes both are OK

Its only done 16K, so as you would, I took it back to the dealer and told him the problem.

The've had it in and changed the gearbox oil but no change. The service manager is now suggesting that its seems to be common to STi 7s and they are reticent to spend time opening up the gearbox if its not going to solve the problem. (apparently they tried another Sti 7 out that came into sales and it was similar).

Would you kind STi7 and 8 (same box I think) owners out there mind replying to this post whether you do or do not have the same/similar problem please so I can determine whether this is a common trait or not.

Thanks for your help.


Cheers, Ian.

MARK MORRIS

my 7 has always been the same, really doesnt like going from 1st to 2nd when cold, not too bad going into 1st though, mines coming up to 9k now
mark

Foxmod

My MY 03 STI is not easy to get into 1st and 2nd when cold, but give it 5 minutes and it's very smooth, I've done 6K miles.

All the Best

Dave

davedipster

My 03 STI is simular, only get 1st when stationary. The dealers demo car was the same and the Tech in the dealership who also has a 02 STI said they all do it.

BTW my Honda Civic Type R was the same, maybe it's just 6 speed Jap boxes that do it?

Dipster

Phil Harrison

My 02 STi Gearbox needs to warm up, like the others who've posted. But when warm, its OK.

Phil

lmsbman

My Sti7 crunches into 2nd for the first gear change when cold. After that it's fine. Only done 7k.

Fizz

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem in a 5 speed MY01... They changed the box oil to a different sort (I think a synthetic rather than the standard stuff) and it cleared up... took a couple of days though wat not instantanious. came back after the 30k service when they used standard again so had to change it again!!!

Jools

Same same as above (with a quick shift fitted)

Jools Sti7.

Chungster

likewise here with a 03 STI.

One of those things.

Scooby-Monster

my 8 on 8000 miles is the same when cold trying to get into 1st. Fine once warmed up though.

russell hayward

Try overfilling slightly, i.e extra 1/2 litre above the max mark.

Cured mine.

STIVII_Otou-san

Confirm, same issue, however mostly into 1st. 13 K on the clock (only)
Cheers
STIVII

marklemac

30k STi7.

agreed, gearbox needs to warm up for about 10 mins. Slotting into 1st is very tough. Better if stationary.

IFG

Guys, Thanks for the feedback.

So it appears that this is a common fault in STi7/8s. What seems strange to me that everyone seems quite happy to pay out £25K plus for a car in which you can't use 1st gear properly for the first 10 minutes and nobody seesm too bothered.

If this was a £25-30K BMW people would be screaming until the manufaturer did something about it.

It seems to me that just because its a common problem doesn't mean that it can be ignored, it obviously points to it being a design fault.

I'll let you know the outcome of the my conversations with the dealer !

Chungster

Its not a problem that bothers me to tell you the truth!

my drive to work every morning is only 10mins.

When I'm giving the car a work out on the weekends, I forget about those niggly things.

mutant_matt

It's not a big enough "problem" IMHO to be bothered by. I have decent synthetic oil in my MY02STi and it's better than it was. Also, once coming to a standstill, try selecting 2nd and then 1st if you can't get it into 1st the 1st time (no pun intended ).

I think, the fact that if you had a BMW of similar performance, you would have paid 40kish, you would have more reason to complain

Matt

russell hayward

I repeat :

Try overfilling slightly, i.e extra 1/2 litre above the max mark.

Cured mine.

!!!

Ady 1

Mines exactly the same, STi8 MY03, 1400 miles on clock, when cold I have to double clutch to get it in 2nd from 3rd and don't even attempt going for 1st, OK once its warm though but I just put it down to a quirk of the gearbox. Must admit don't fancy the idea of dealer stripping down a brand new gearbox anyway, I will try the synthetic route me thinks.

Ady

[Edited by Ady 1 - 1/31/2004 1:17:40 PM]

Jolley

Only have a lowly MY03 WRX, but mine is the same. Second is a bit of a pain to slot into until I have done 3 or 4 changes. First cannot be selected until you stop unless you double de-clutch, but I have had that with pretty much every car I have owned.

sammyh

iTrader: (1)

I think Russell is trying to tell you something

Not had the problem in my 7 or 8

[Edited by sammyh - 1/31/2004 6:34:54 PM]

Harry_Boy

Well - got exactly the same 'characteristic' with my MY02 WRX wagon. It's been especially noticeable over the cold snap we've just had. Doesn't bother me - I take it easy for the first few miles anyway, to let the whole drivetrain warm through properly. After say 10 mins, the 'box is fine.

[Edited by Harry_Boy - 2/1/2004 12:07:18 AM]

Edited 'cos I can't even spell 'cold' correctly at this time of nite.....

[Edited by Harry_Boy - 2/1/2004 12:08:02 AM]

hedgehog

Mine does exactly the same sort of thing, OK going easy up the box when cold but very tricky to get it into 2nd on the way down. I usually take it easy on a cold drivetrain and would expect this behavior.

My experience, for what that's worth, is that this is quite a common trait of "performance" gearboxes and I have encountered some that just don't change gear at all until warm.

I suppose it is always difficult to build a machine that is good at everything and the little catch with performance drivetrains seems to be changing gear when cold. On the STi, to be honest, it is a trivial matter and they seem to have got pretty close to making it do everything you could ask of it.