I had 5 qts. of Amsoil 75w-90 GL4 gear oil delivered per the instructions in the stickies, changed the gear oil, had to pull the sensor to drain, since the drain bolt was stripped. When I pulled the sensor out there seemed to be gunk around the edges, I thought it was buildup, so I pulled it off to clean it up and then relized it was sealant, any way I added all five qts. of gear oil after putting the sensor back in place, never did see an oil start coming out of the fill hole. Per the sticky was expecting the last .25 qt to come pouring back out the fill hole, due the tranny being full at the point. So I added all five qts. and put the fill plug back in started her up and test drove, she drove great for a week and now not so much..

I left work yesterday, started the car and stood outside and heard a loud almost clicking noise coming from underneath by the tranny, plus twice yesterday when I shifted I felt a clunk from the tranny and it has been more difficult than normal to get it in gear. Is my tranny going out? What should I check? I don't think any of the gear oil leaked out, because there is none on my garage floor. Any help would be appreciated.

 

bump, anybody?

 

Unscrew the fill hole bolt. Stick finger in and see if you can determine the level. If it's really close to the hole, you should be fine. How jacked up was the car when you did the fill?

 

Thanks for the response Jeff, it was just enough to get the front wheel off and slide under the car. From what I read in the Stickies, it says it should hold ~4.75 qts. I put all five in, could that be bad? It shouldn't be low, I haven't seen any signs of it leaking. D@mn I wish I had a lift!

 

My experience was with a 6th Generation 6-speed, so I doubt if it will help much. For what it's worth, I drained all of the old oil out overnight (I warmed it up by driving before starting). Then when I added the new lube, the amount used was exactly what the stickies said would be needed.

It sounds like you don't have the full level of lube in the trannie. The advice above seems quite appropriate. Even if some leaked out while driving, you should see some lube residue on the outside of the trannie.

 

Got under the car on level ground today and opened the tranny fill hole, some oil leaked out, when it stopped I checked and there is oil in there. So that's not the problem. Any more ideas? Basically I was able to narrow the issues down to when i take off in first gear, there is 2 or 3 clunks as the car starts to move forward, every other gear shifts fine once I am moving.

 

Try running for some time (about a minute) in first gear. If you continue to hear the clunk sounds, it probably means that you have broken something in first gear (likely gear teeth). Try this for a starter.

 

Have you checked your clutch fluid reservoir?

 

Silver, you mean drive around for a minute slowly in first gear? I will try it, during normal driving, (not in 1st for very long) it is only clunking when I first engage the clutch.

bladerunr, I have had a slow leak in my hydrolic line for years and just top of the reservoir once about every 3-4 months and keep driving, currently the fluid level is just below the min. mark.

any ideas what could cause a clunk only when taking off in 1st gear? I would think it could be a bad mount, as it would shift and possbily clank when you take off. Or possibly a problem with the clutch or TO bearing or pressure plate. Do you guys think it could be anything internal to the tranny itself? After reading it doesn't sound like the dreaded input shaft problem, but maybe it's one of the internal bearings going out? Or could it be first gear is going out?

thnks for the help so far guys, keep it coming.

 

Based on the clunk only happening when you first engage the clutch (and only in first gear), it seem certain that it is not the gear (or gears) causing the problem. It may be the "throw-out" bearing in the clutch. If that is the problem it will slowly get worse as you drive with it. I had that problem with a Corvette I once owned and at first it only happened when starting. Later it happened every time you released the clutch pedel (engaged the clutch).

 

thanks for the input. I am going to try to take it to courtesy tomorrow and have a tech drive it around. I will let you all know what they say.

 

ended up at my new personal mechanics shop, dust seal under the rear main seal was leaking oil onto the clutch and flywheel, am now getting the rear main seal, dust seal replaced, new clutch kit installed, flywheel resurfaced, tranny had bad bearings and has been rebuilt, SS clutch line installed, and he is doing my front brakes for free.

 

Can you let me know the part number of the dust seal or where you are getting it from. I can't seem to locate the part.

Thanks