2G Grinding going into second and random ticking

[TAndrus]

It seems when I've just started my car up, shifting into second gear, I get a little grind right before in gets in. After I drive for a couple minutes though it doesn't happen. And it's only second, no other gears.

Also, there is random ticking coming from somewhere in my engine area. It's about 3 ticks per second, and it's completely random on how long it ticks, and when it does it. It's not really loud, but it concerns me because I've read some crankwalk problems have a ticking noise, but that may be just because I'm paranoid.

Thanks.

 

[twicks69]

First off, you should change you transmission fluid. Go with an 80/90 gear oil with BG or GM or Pennsoil Synchromesh gear oil. 1.5 qts 80/90, and 1 qt of synchromesh or equivilant.

The current gear oil is likely too viscous at cold operating temperatures, and needs time to heat up to properly let you shift -- just take it easy shifting the car until it fully warms up.

As for the ticking noise, you likely have lifter tick (in the cylinder head) which is very common in our vehicles. It isn't life or death; unless it is rod knock, where that wouldn't just randomly go away.

 

[TAndrus]

First off, you should change you transmission fluid. Go with an 80/90 gear oil with BG or GM or Pennsoil Synchromesh gear oil. 1.5 qts 80/90, and 1 qt of synchromesh or equivilant.

The current gear oil is likely too viscous at cold operating temperatures, and needs time to heat up to properly let you shift -- just take it easy shifting the car until it fully warms up.

As for the ticking noise, you likely have lifter tick (in the cylinder head) which is very common in our vehicles. It isn't life or death; unless it is rod knock, where that wouldn't just randomly go away.

Alright. Can the transmission fluid be found at just an auto parts store? And can I just do it at home easily?

About the lifter tick though... Can that lead to more problems? Is there anything I can do about it now?

 

[NATAS]

Alright. Can the transmission fluid be found at just an auto parts store? And can I just do it at home easily?

About the lifter tick though... Can that lead to more problems? Is there anything I can do about it now?

Lifter tick is very common and as long as it's not too bad you'll be allright. When it gets too bad your ECU will start reading it as knock, but that's not really that common usually. You can fix it by installing 3G or revised lifters in your head, but that's not really that easy. Good oil and possibly some additives will help. I use Valve Medic occasionally when I have a car that being really loud.

 

[twicks69]

Alright. Can the transmission fluid be found at just an auto parts store? And can I just do it at home easily?

About the lifter tick though... Can that lead to more problems? Is there anything I can do about it now?

The pennsoil synchromesh and the 80/90 gear oils can be purchased at nearly any auto parts stores. If you go to nearly any DSM specific parts website, they will sell the higher end gear oils for our cars.

Yes, it is easy to do. if you need specific details on how to drain a transmission, I would suggest that you spend some time reading up at www.vfaq.com it should be the first website that you go to concerning DSM specific problems and fixes.

With respect to your lifters, what oil are you currently using?

 

[Chicken Patty]

As far as the grinding, its what most of us have told you, change the tranny fluid to the ones they have told you. I had that problem on my 1st gen., and it was the tranny fluid. The ticking is most likely the lifters. Its very common on our cars, including mines are ticking right now. They sell revised lifters which have a bigger opening so that they don't tick or age as fast as the ones our cars came with. Here is a link on dsmparts.com where they sell the lifters.

http://dsmparts.com/customer/product.php?productid=188&cat=&page=1

 

[TAndrus]

The pennsoil synchromesh and the 80/90 gear oils can be purchased at nearly any auto parts stores. If you go to nearly any DSM specific parts website, they will sell the higher end gear oils for our cars.

Yes, it is easy to do. if you need specific details on how to drain a transmission, I would suggest that you spend some time reading up at www.vfaq.com it should be the first website that you go to concerning DSM specific problems and fixes.

With respect to your lifters, what oil are you currently using?

I couldn't tell you what I'm using now. I bought the car used and not much info was given to me about the previous uptake besides the word of mouth that the car had been maintained well. We took it to a mechanic and they said it was in very good condition, but I couldn't tell you what's in there now.