strange m/t symptom - transmission cooler ?

[dgdsm]

So I am now driving my first m/t vehicle, a '99 Eclipse Spyder GS with 160K miles. I've driven it now over 1K miles, but probably need to learn a few more things about driving a stick. Haven't yet taken it to a transmission shop to get it generally checked out, but this should happen soon.

It has a few unusual minor symptoms. Some of it I am pretty sure is that the engine mounts, maybe also transmission mounts, need to be replaced. Here's one though which I'd really like to take care of: It's a real challenge to do a smooth 1-2 shift, sometimes also the 2-3 shift, and at the 1-2 shift, there's this odor in the passenger compartment. It's exactly like what it smells like from a cooling system leak (I currently have 70% water in the cooling system). Nothing like a burning clutch from what I know. It happens just about every time at the 1-2 shift, occasionally at the 2-3 shift, never on shifting into higher gears.

What could this be? The only thing I can figure is something in the transmission cooling system that leaks coolant when there's an excessive vibration on shifting. Would this be a tough repair to do if needed? I only get this on transmission shifts and not other types of vibration.

 

[crimsondragon]

There's no 5 speed transmission cooler. Your problem lies elsewhere. Check the carpet on the passenger side underneath the dash. You may for a heater core leak.

 

[mercaholik]

Check you clutch pedal free play and adjustment, Jack's transmission has a great write up about it. It sounds like you have a very typical shifting dsm trans, mine hates high rpm 1-2 shifts. You should change the fluid and put the correct fluid for our synchros to work right. As for the coolant smell you can put a special u.v dye in and use a black light pen to spot where it's leaking from.

 

[dgdsm]

There's also frequently a lot of resistance in the 1-2 shift, more than any of the others. I can't tell if this is transmission itself or something in the shifter/ shift linkage.

 

[Talyn]

Any grinding noise when shifting? Could be synchros. Another possibility is that the transmission has too much fluid in it and is puking it out the vent tube, or possibly water(not likely, but I've seen it happen to drivetrain components on trucks that went offroad or through a puddle or such). If its overfilled that might make it harder to shift, also they tend to be harder to shift when cold, these cars use gear oil in the transmissions which is pretty thick stuff. I would probably check, or get checked if you can't do it yourself, the transmission fluid, just make sure if you change it that you get the right stuff, can't use GL-5 gear oil in our transmissions because they have yellow metals in them.

 

[dgdsm]

I don't really know all the automotive aromas. It may not be water, I guess it could be gear oil (which I've never sniffed). I only looked at the fluid level one time around six months ago and it seemed OK. I'll check again soon.

It doesn't grind at all unless I shift too soon (clutch not depressed all the way). It's not a good sound so it concerns me if that damages anything. One funny thing is, I had an episode of p0300 a couple of days ago which turned out to be the ignition wires. After swapping in an older set of wires I had around, it shifts a lot more smoothly and less resistance at the 1-2 shift. So one thing I'd like to find out about is, how much of this transmission is electrical components. It obviously does get some speed information since for example, it won't let me downshift into 1st unless the speed is <5mph. It might just get a lot smoother when I start replacing the mounts/ mount bushings.

 

[codym]

A manual transmission doesn't use any electrical items like solenoids or sensors to tell the transmission when to shift, and they don't use a valve body like an automatic does.

The clutch is used on a manual to match the input shaft speed to the output shaft speed, so if you try to slam from 2nd to 1st while doing 20 mph, the engine speed needs to be greater when going to 1st as it was while driving in 2nd. Downshifting incorrectly can quickly lead to premature wear on the syncros and clutch.

Read this link.
http://www.jackstransmissions.com/pages/clutch-drag-kills-synchros
The best thing to do to try and diagnose the rough shifting would be to verify proper clutch engagement. This means checking the condition and operation of the clutch pedal assembly, clutch master and slave cylinder.

Next would be to verify the shift linkage is in good working order, you can see the base bushings and shift linkages by taking the gear knob and center console out. The cable bushings will be located on the transmission itself, secured to the shift forks with a cotter pin on each one.

The transmission/engine mounts are critical in keeping the transmission and engine from moving around, which can result in a multitude of problems.

 

[dgdsm]

Well I just took it to a transmission shop and they just gave it a clean bill of health and said they didn't get any hard 1-2 shift. I think it needs some adjustment though. I had improper clutch engagement / grinding 3 times yesterday, don't know what that does to it. Maybe the problem is just mainly in the shift linkages.