crunch going from 1st to 2nd

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

From a standstill, If I try to shift fast from 1st to 2nd gear, and I don't hit it just right, I get a "crunch" on the gears. What's wrong and what to fix?

[rabbitman]

The syncro's are worn out, the fix means a tranny rebuild, the other fix is shift slightly slower and it won't happen.

My brothers jetta has done that since he bought it in '97, tranny still works it just sounds bad when it's shafted fast.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

I wonder if Redline MTL, a premium synthetic gear oil, would help with worn synchros? Anyone has it in their gear box?

[jtanguay]

i dont think any gear oil will fix the problem... you can always try power shifting by keeping the rpm's up. 

i had the same problem in my jetta, and i found that if i held the shifter right near 2nd gear for 1/2 a second, it would go right in without a fight or grind.  but of course that really kills acceleration 

[stewardc]

There is only one fix...trust me on this. Go to your local GM dealer and get 2 liters of GM Synchromesh Transmission Fluid. Accept NO other labelling or name. It's about $6 a liter and will fix your crunch, I guarantee.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Stewardc, hey that sounds great! Where do you buy it for $6 a liter? I just called GM and they want $14 a quart!  2 quats is 1.89 liters meaning I have to buy 3 quarts to make 2 liters (4.2 pints).

[stewardc]

I got it at the local chevy dealer.

[Rabbit TD]

You read so much stuff about anything but GL4 being bad for the older style 020 transmissions because of the phosphor or whatever  in  the GL5 is supposed to be corrosive to the brass synchronizers.  My question is what are the synchroniser rings made out of on the later vehicles.  I've never had one of the newer ones apart.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

stewardc, are you running the GM friction modified in an 020 and for how long? Anyone else using it in the 020? Any cases of confirmed damage using it? How long does it take for the damage to occur and how? I called Chevy and it's $14 a quart also.

[arb]

I'd try some Mobil-1 full synthetic 80w-90 EP gear lube before I spend $14 a quart ;-)

There is another easy method - your shifting. Before there were synchro trans, everyone had to "double clutch" - that is press clutch, shift into neutral, release clutch, press clutch, shift into next gear.

Another technique is the match the engine rpm to the gear / speed your are shifting into. If you are matched, you do not even need to clutch. If you are in tune with your car, you'll get the feel for it.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

What about this limited slip fish oil additive for rear ends? Does it increase or decrease friction? Will it help with the crunch?

[arb]

I'd try some Mobil-1 full synthetic 80w-90 EP gear lube before I spend $14 a quart ;-)

I've found Mobil 1 synthetic to be particularly bad in this case.  It actually exacerbates the worn synchro issue and can take a tranny that doesn't crunch on most other lubes and make it crunch.  Not the correct friction profile to allow mildly worn synchros to work at all.

Wow !!  I didn't know that. I've never had to put lube in my vw trans

[stewardc]

stewardc, are you running the GM friction modified in an 020 and for how long? Anyone else using it in the 020? Any cases of confirmed damage using it? How long does it take for the damage to occur and how? I called Chevy and it's $14 a quart also.

I've been running the STF for over 2 years in an 020. No damage at all.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

stewardc, are you running the GM friction modified in an 020 and for how long? Anyone else using it in the 020? Any cases of confirmed damage using it? How long does it take for the damage to occur and how? I called Chevy and it's $14 a quart also.

I've been running the STF for over 2 years in an 020. No damage at all.

That's encouraging. Why is that stuff so much cheaper up there? $14 a quart is a rep off! Is there a generic like drugs? 

[stewardc]

Make sure that exact wording is on the label. They have about 15 different fluids and may try to pass of a more expensive one as the correct one.