problems getting gear into second.

[okron1k]

again since i bought the car. i've had problems putting the car into second. if i take my time and do it slowly it goes fine.. but if i try to be quick about it (read: faster then 1second) it grinds. any ideas as to what this could be?

[Asymtave]

1) Check fluid level
2) Check clutch adjustment (not fully disengaging)
3) Worn synchronizer(s) = bad news.

Do you have a manual to help with these items?

[wyldman]

Sounds like you typical 2nd gear grinds,common on most VW trannies.

Change the fluid,and use GM synchromesh fluid available at any GM dealer.It may help enough to eliminate the problem.For the trans to shift,the synchro ring must bring the spinning gear to a stop.To do this it has to overcome the oil film between the two.Thinner oil helps this,and it will shift better.Old oil becomes thick and dirty,making the synchros work harder.

The syncromesh is a special synthetic formulation for certain GM and Doge trannies,and works real well in VW trannies as it's very thin.

[okron1k]

i really need to find myself a bently manual. or somewhere where it's all listed online or something

i am not sure how to check the tranny fluid as i was told the tranny's are sealed with no dipstick. also gave a quick look and couldnt find one.

[BlackTieTD]

redline MT90 if you don't want to use the GM fluid.

[wyldman]

i really need to find myself a bently manual. or somewhere where it's all listed online or something

i am not sure how to check the tranny fluid as i was told the tranny's are sealed with no dipstick. also gave a quick look and couldnt find one.

Drain and fill plug are on the drivers side (end) of the trans.17MM Hex key style plug.You can use an old wheel bolt and vise grips to remove,or get the special allen key.

Make sure the fill plug will come out before you drain it.

When filling,make sure the car is jacked up on the drivers side only,so you can overfill it a bit.This will help protect 5th gear.

[Asymtave]

Yeah - having photos will help you find the plugs on the tranny.  They are big pipe plugs with 17mm hex recesses in them.  I am fortunate enough to have a 17mm hex wrench but others have found a hex head bolt of the right size to stick in there.  Would be very helpful to be able to weld a handle on said bolt, but you can try using 2 nuts as jam nuts and putting a wrench on these.

The plug that is the higher of the two is the one used to fill/check.  The lower one obviously to drain.

Mortskeg or someone else said that even after you fill to the bottom of the "fill" hole you're still not done on a 5 speed?  Have to add .5L more somewhere else like the speedo cable hole?

[wyldman]

I wouldn't attempt removing the speedo cable on an older MKII,they like to break.

On a MKIII the speed sensor is easier to remove,and you can overfill it that way.

Just jacking the car up on an angle is usually enough.Squirt as much extra as you can in there and then quickly put the fill plug in.