Wont shift into first gear, car hot and puttering

[GIB]

I have a 99 GST that wont shift into first gear, and it gets very hot and starts to putter when i try to drive over a mile, I figured this was a head gasket and tranny problem but I am not an experienced mechanic and would like to know if anyone has any idea what this could be?
Thanks

 

[91-talon-tsi]

As far as the sputtering/overheating. Check your coolant level to see if it's low and to see if it has oil mixing with it. Check your oil level as well and check to see if it has coolant mixing with it.

If your oil level is on the high side and looks frothy/milky or has bubbles in it then chances are that you do have a blown head gasket and your coolant is mixing with your oil. Another sign of a blown head gasket would be if the engine is pushing coolant back through the overflow bottle.

If your coolant and oil are not mixing, then the problem is most likely a bad thermostat. As far as your shifting problem, Check your clutch fluid level and check your transmission oil level. If they're low, top them off and see if it solves your shifting problem. Better yet, change your transmission oil all together. Also, check all your shift linkage for binding/bends, etc... and make sure that it's all connected firmly. If everything checks out, then it may just be time for a new clutch.

Be sure not to let your engine get too hot. Once it tries going past the half way mark on the temp gauge, shut it down and let it cool off. Also, do not force your shifter into gear, it could damage the shift fork.

 

[Dsm Rob]

Manual trans or auto?

 

[Mcbouchard]

Does the transmission grind when you try to put it into first? Will it go into other gears?

 

[GIB]

Does the transmission grind when you try to put it into first? Will it go into other gears?

yes it grinds in the first gear

As far as the sputtering/overheating. Check your coolant level to see if it's low and to see if it has oil mixing with it. Check your oil level as well and check to see if it has coolant mixing with it.

If your oil level is on the high side and looks frothy/milky or has bubbles in it then chances are that you do have a blown head gasket and your coolant is mixing with your oil. Another sign of a blown head gasket would be if the engine is pushing coolant back through the overflow bottle.

If your coolant and oil are not mixing, then the problem is most likely a bad thermostat. As far as your shifting problem, Check your clutch fluid level and check your transmission oil level. If they're low, top them off and see if it solves your shifting problem. Better yet, change your transmission oil all together. Also, check all your shift linkage for binding/bends, etc... and make sure that it's all connected firmly. If everything checks out, then it may just be time for a new clutch.

Be sure not to let your engine get too hot. Once it tries going past the half way mark on the temp gauge, shut it down and let it cool off. Also, do not force your shifter into gear, it could damage the shift fork.

I will check on this thanks, I will respond soon