what should i try next?

[jwcardy]

i picked up a 1992 tsi awd on trade and the car runs amazing...but there is a little tranny issue with 1st and 2nd gear and sometimes reverse...i thought the prob was the clutch draggin after doing the "clutch drag test" so i tried adjusting the clutch rod but it was already backed out as far as it would go...while under the dash, i did notice the clutch master cylinder was leaking fluid from around the rubber boot, so i picked up another clutch master cylinder to see it that is my prob...if this doesnt solve the problem, what else do you guys think that it could be...ive already replaced the slave cylinder and completely bled the system...im kinda just blowing in the wind on this one because the guy i got the car from knows nothing about what was done to it before he got it...he only kept it a month and traded it to me because he didnt feel like dealing with the tranny...i removed the rubber dust cover on the tranny and i can tell that there is an ACT clutch in it by the color of the cover...let me know what you guys think...
-wes

 

[-TunedDSM-]

What problem are you having with the clutch? Is it slipping or not fully disengaging? Is the transmission grinding? We need to know the problem before we diagnose it, get us some more information.

 

[jwcardy]

What problem are you having with the clutch? Is it slipping or not fully disengaging? Is the transmission grinding? We need to know the problem before we diagnose it, get us some more information.

no, it is not slipping...most of the problem is that it doesnt want to go into gear...i can try to start the car with it in second, and it just grinds when i let out on the clutch...while driving in 1st and then try to shift to 2nd, it grinds...but sometimes on the rare occassion it will go into 2nd...i can go straight from 1st to 3rd then to 4th and 5th gear no prob...like i said its mostly just going from 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 2nd...lmk what you think...
-wes

 

[jking29]

Try adjusting the shifter cables first, but it sounds like the trans may be in need of synchros.

 

[VTRICCO]

agreed on the potential bad syncro on 2nd gear

 

[jwcardy]

yeah, adjusting the shifter cables is the only thing that i havent done...i plan to send the tranny off to be built, but i just wanted to play with the car a little this summer before i tore it down...thanks guys...i will see what happens tomorrow...
-wes

 

[-TunedDSM-]

Definitely sounds like more of a transmission issue if you have replaced both the master and slave cylinders, fully bled the system and tried adjusting the clutch pedal. Adjusting the shifter cables could fix the problem, definitely try that before jumping to any other conclusions. You could try some fresh transmission fluid, but it will most likely be more of a band aid than anything.

 

[TurboT91]

Do you know when the last time the tranny had some fresh fluid in it? Maybe try changing it out with some BG Synchroshift II or Redline.

 

[jwcardy]

Do you know when the last time the tranny had some fresh fluid in it? Maybe try changing it out with some BG Synchroshift II or Redline.

no, i dont know when the last time the tranny fluid was changed therefor i do plan on changing it...i managed to adjust the shifter cables some today and shifting is a little better but i still get that slight occassional grind going into second but it isnt nearly as bad or as often...its kind of a hit and miss thing...we will see what happens when i change the fluid...
-wes

okay, so here is the deal...ive changed the tranny fluid and it was disgusting...its been long over due...i adjusted the shifter cables at the shifter...here is what i got...depending on how i adjust the cables, the car goes into 2nd perfect but now doesnt travel far enough to go into first...if i adjust it to go into first perfectly it doesnt travel far enough for second...i finally managed to track down the original owner and he gave me some info on the car...as far as the tranny goes, the only mods it has is an ACT stg2 clutch and a short shifter...he basically told me that the car never shifted the same after the short shifter install...so i think what im going to try and do now is swap it out for a stock shifter...i wanna try everything before i pull the tranny...let me know what you think guys...
-wes

 

[TurboT91]

Hey man...like you said yourself...pull the short shifter, put a stock one back in and see what happens. What type of tranny fluid did you put in?

 

[9dsm5]

i had this same problem my synchros were bad ........lucky for me south florida has alot of junkyards i picked another tranny up for 400. dropped it in never had that problem agian

 

[gixxerdrew]

So you have verified that when you actuate the clutch it moves from end to end of its swing? If it is moving from end to end the clutch is not the problem. All a clutch does is push that lever. After that you gotta pull off the gearbox. Check if the clutch fork is bent or damaged as well.