Transmission acting funny

[JammerX19]

After sitting for a few days, I can't get the car into any gear for a minute or two. If I try to put it into first, the hole isn't there and the car starts to move like it is engaging. If I try reverse, it wants to grind. After a minute or two, it starts working again. Any idea what I'm up against? Fluid looks good and level is fine.

[djape1977]

you're talking about x1/9?
it has hydraulic clutch, right?

[JammerX19]

you're talking about x1/9?
it has hydraulic clutch, right?

No, my '80 Spider.

[bobplyler]

Automatic?

[JammerX19]

Automatic?

No, standard five speed.

[124JOE]

Fluid looks good and level is fine.

spiders are a cable clutch.
so what fluid are you talking about?
try adjusting the cable under the car

it may be time for a new clutch

[JammerX19]

Fluid looks good and level is fine.

spiders are a cable clutch.
so what fluid are you talking about?
try adjusting the cable under the car

it may be time for a new clutch

Transmission oil. I checked the level to make sure it was right, so we can rule that out.

I adjusted the clutch and it didn't make any difference that I could detect. And once the car warms up a little, the shifting is fine.

[seabeelt]

What type of oil is in the tranny and when was it last changed?
r/

[djape1977]

i tought it was x1/9 because of your nickname.

change the oil in gearbox. sae 80will do or some high quality engine oil 15w40. most people use sae 90 but it's too thick imho.

[FiatMac]

After sitting for a few days, I can't get the car into any gear for a minute or two. If I try to put it into first, the hole isn't there and the car starts to move like it is engaging. If I try reverse, it wants to grind. After a minute or two, it starts working again. Any idea what I'm up against? Fluid looks good and level is fine.

From your description I am assuming this is when you go out and start the car and then try to put it into gear. Once it goes in that first time (after the car warms up) the problem goes away. If that is the case, this does not sound like a transmission problem. Something is causing the input shaft to turn and therefore the transmission will not go into gear while the car is sitting still.

Do you normally start the car in neutral? If so, try the following the next time it happens, but make sure you have plenty of space in front or behind the car depending upon whether you have the car in first or reverse on the next step. Turn the engine off. Then try starting it with the transmission in gear and the clutch disengaged. Be prepared to hit the brakes. If the car tries to move, then it is likely that the clutch disc face has stuck to the the flywheel face. I have had this happen several times. Sometimes it will pop loose on that initial start attempt, but I have had cases where I had to get more creative.

If this is the problem, then I suspect that the engine heat and vibration as you let the engine warm up loosens it up.

I am not sure what causes the sticking other than possibly moisture causing the surfaces to rust together.

[JammerX19]

If this is the problem, then I suspect that the engine heat and vibration as you let the engine warm up loosens it up.

I am not sure what causes the sticking other than possibly moisture causing the surfaces to rust together.

Very plausible. I will try that out. Wonder what the fix is ... some talcum powder?

Thanks for the suggestion.

[kmead]

I have seen clutch plates rust onto the clutch plate/flywheel in high humidity areas. You may also have a bent input shaft on your transmission which is interfering with the pilot bearing or causing the clutch plate to bind on the flywheel. As it warms tolerances open up and it no longer drags.

Was your engine or transmission out of the car recently?

[JammerX19]

I have seen clutch plates rust onto the clutch plate/flywheel in high humidity areas. You may also have a bent input shaft on your transmission which is interfering with the pilot bearing or causing the clutch plate to bind on the flywheel. As it warms tolerances open up and it no longer drags.

Was your engine or transmission out of the car recently?

Not in the two years I've owned it.

[bobplyler]

Sometimes, if I haven't driven my car in a while, the clutch will stick to either the flywheel or pressure plate. What I do is jack up the rear, start the car, get the engine up to speed, push in the clutch, then put on the brakes. That always works.