To start off with, I would like to first introduce myself and explain that though this is my first time posting, I have been reading the formum since I first bought my Z a year ago. I love my car, but I have done little to it in the past year because I've been consumed with remodeling projects at home and with long hours at work (I work at a start-up). Work has slowed down a little and my house is nearly complete, so now I've decided to start modding my Z.

That said, on to my question. I'm familiar with the transmission problems that some people have had and I believe I may be a victim of impending transmission failure too. I've noticed that when its cold, the tranny is difficult to shift into gear (seems like a sychro problem, IMO). Is this typical of a failing tranny or just a typical Z idiosycracy? I've taken it to the local dealer once and they told me it was normal, but I'm not convinced. If it is a tranny problem, how do I convince the dealership to address the issue? There is also an intermittent rattling noise from beneath the car, audible when near a wall or other enclosed space. The car has 30k miles on it. Obviously, I want to fix this problem (assuming it is a problem), before I venture down the path of any extensive mods. All opinions welcome. Thanks!

 

Welcome!

https://my350z.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=50

 

Cold means what? 20 degrees? Of course the transmission is sluggish: it filled with fluid. So is the motor.

 

Thank you David. I understand the principle of operation of a transmission. What I meant by 'cold' was not yet warmed up to full operating temperature. Every car I've ever owned, except one, has been a manual transmission and I've never experienced this problem before. I do not believe the transmission fluid has become sufficiently viscous at ambient temperatures of say, below 40 degrees F, to cause the tranny to function improperly. Currently I store my car in a heated garage and this seems to alleviate the problem, but nonetheless, I hope to resolve this 'problem' because I still have to park my car ouside during work and I do not believe that being unable to shift into gear when the tranny is not yet warmed-up is normal (though I haven't driven many other Z's so I can't speak authoritively)

Botton line is, I believe there is an issue with the tranny but the dealer is unwilling to recognize the problem. What I'm looking for is either a "this is just typical of a Z", or "no, this is not normal, and here is what you should do to get the dealer to acknowledge the problem and fix it". Ultimately I'm seeking the advice of someone who's been down this road and has successfully resolved the problem.

 

I suggest going to another dealer if that dealer wont do anything about it. My transmission had a 3rd gear syncro problem, the dealership i took it to replaced the transmission and even put in a new clutch. I had 50k on it, it is still warrantied until 60k for the trans. If you have any quest or need any help i am willing to help.