Having second gear problems!

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

Lately when driving my 1989 camry 5 speed, i notice when shifting from first to second at about 3-4 thousand RPM's it makes a clunking noise when going into second and is hard to go into gear! It also does this when i downshift from third to second at about 20mph or higher! it never used to do this, it was always smooth and pefect! It really bothers me and makes it a lot less funner to drive. I was wondering what could be causing this problem and how i could get this fixed? I was told that using GM syncromesh would really help out a lot. Where could i purchase GM syncromesh? How do you apply the product? thanks

[87Camry5Speed]

You might have a bad engine mount, that would explain the clunking and the same shit happens on my Cam (same powertrain as yours but mine's an '87)... The hard to get into gear issue happens to me, but only really on the 1-2 shift- I think it has something to do with the shift cable binding b/c of the extreme back-and-forth movement of the powertrain bought on by the aforementioned busted mounts. You can try the synchromesh, there was a recent thread about it if I recall, you could also try double-clutching. This helps me a lot on my work second-gear synchro, but if I try to slam 2nd at like 5500 rpm it grinds going in now too. No more of that shit for me but I'm gonna try out that GM shit soon

Hope this helps

Steve

[Nick]

probalby the syncros

try some redline mt90, or gm syncromesh (good place to start might be the gm dealership...)

[Ratko]

Synchros.

for an older tranny like that, GM Synchromesh.

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

ya i figured it was my synchro. Now the question i have is how much does it usually cost to get a syncro replaced? I called up a local toyota dealership and they said the part cost like $30 but wouldnt tell me how much it would cost to install. Could it also be my engine mounts tho? And what is GM synchromesh? im still unclear on what this product really is. could someone explain this to me? thanks

[white90dx]

Watch out, the gen2 4-cylinder Camry tranny uses Dextron-III auto tranny fluid, not standard gear oil. How long has it been since you replaced the fluid? I had some improvement in shifting on my last Camry after I replaced the fluid... Also, make sure you FULLY depress the clutch, as I found this also improves shifting and gear engagement. Other than that, it might be motor mounts as others have suggested (but if its only on the 1->2 shift, its probably the tranny).

Replacing a synchro requires fully taking apart the transmission... You really want to avoid it if possible.

-Charlie

PS. GM syncromesh is a GM specific transmission fluid that was designed for their transmissions. A lot of guys use it on other brand transmissions though, with varying degrees of luck.

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

so the 4 cylinder 5speed trannys use dextron III auto tranny fluid? I think its been a really long time since i replaced the fluid, maybe that will help me out a lot. Also you dont think its the motor mounts? I guees ill stay way from the syncro replacement since it will be complicated and knowing my luck they will probably mess up the transmission when rebuilding it! thanks for your help, this weekend im changing the transmission fluid! thanks guys. anyone else got any suggestions on how i can make it the best i possibly can?

[white90dx]

Originally posted by PoR2GeEzCamry
so the 4 cylinder 5speed trannys use dextron III auto tranny fluid? I think its been a really long time since i replaced the fluid, maybe that will help me out a lot. Also you dont think its the motor mounts? I guees ill stay way from the syncro replacement since it will be complicated and knowing my luck they will probably mess up the transmission when rebuilding it! thanks for your help, this weekend im changing the transmission fluid! thanks guys. anyone else got any suggestions on how i can make it the best i possibly can?

Verify the fluid type for the transmission in your owner's manual... but that was the fluid that I used on my old 1990 Camry (and may be doing in my 'new' Camry). When I replaced the fluid, it fixed the crunch/cluck noise I was getting shifting into 3rd... Avoid the expensive repair as long as possible - if you have to replace it, you might as well wait as long as possible.

Oh yeah, one more thing - don't use synthetic tranny fluid in such an old tranny...

Good luck!
Charlie

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

thanks man, ill try flushing my tranny oil and trying the dextron III stuff. I also found this earlier and found it interesting http://www.camryman.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1363 Its the 7th reply down. It explains how he flushed it out with 80w90 gear oil and that it doesnt grind anymore into second. It sounds like this guy has the same problem i do and it was pretty much solved when he changed the tranny fluid and used 80w90. what do you think? What should i do? the dextron III or 80w90?

[88 LE]

^ 80W90 is gear oil.

Dexron III is ATF (auto tranny fluid).

Find out what your tranny takes.

[zoni]

usually they say to use dexron III auto tranny fluid in the Power Steering system... i dont see any way they would use it on a standard tranny in place of gear oil...

[white90dx]

Originally posted by Zoni_Camry
usually they say to use dexron III auto tranny fluid in the Power Steering system... i dont see any way they would use it on a standard tranny in place of gear oil...

Have you owned a 5-speed 4-cylinder gen2??? I have owned 2. And I've changed the tranny fluid... I agree its an unusual fluid for a manual tranny, but it works - and its what's called for in the manual.

-Charlie

PS. Yes, the power steering fluid is also Dexron III.

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

so i should deffinetely use the Dextron III auto tranny fluid. How much will it cost for a mechanic to flush the old fluid out and put in the new fluid?

[white90dx]

Originally posted by PoR2GeEzCamry
so i should deffinetely use the Dextron III auto tranny fluid. How much will it cost for a mechanic to flush the old fluid out and put in the new fluid?

Check the manual.

If you have a 17mm (I believe) socket, a pan, and a funnel with a tube at the bottom, you can do it yourself for less than $10... You don't need to 'flush' a manual tranny, just drain and refill. I don't know what a mechanic would charge, but its worth it to do it yourself and learn about the car...

-Charlie

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

i checked the manual and couldnt find anything that told me what type to use. Wher is it located in the maual. under what section cuz i might not be checking the right one. If i dont find it should i go ahead and use the Dextron III? thanks