R154 trouble with shifting. Any ideas?

Count Knobula

Count Knobula

New Member
Jan 31, 2007
144
0
0
Atlanta
Recently had 89 turbo swapped AT to R154.

Everything has been fine for probably 3 months.

This morning shifting into first and second has been very tough (from a stop and I think when moving too).

Clutch feels lighter than it used to.

Reverse grinds when shifting into it.

From reading some threads on here on similar topics, I have concluded that I "ride the clutch". As I am releasing the clutch (near the end) I apply the gas (though lightly) for the next gear. It didn't feel weird so I went with it. Stupid I guess.

3rd 4th and 5th also had trouble once or twice, but were mostly smooth as butter.

EDIT: it is very cold here right now, doubt it has an impact as it has been cold for a while

EDIT: Thought I'd do a bit of investigating, (on company time :eek: ) Im no expert on transmissions but isnt the master cylinder supposed to have fluid in it? lol. Mine's empty.
 
Last edited:
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
2,957
0
0
Clearwater, MN
How cold out side there? Right now here in MN it is -13 this morning and my t-56 in my caddy is also shifting hard and it is because it is cold out. Shit even the hydraulic clutch is harder to puch in and slower to let out because of the temps outside right now. Good thing she only needs to sit out side when I am at work.

Gear oil (witch is in the R154) is SUPER THICK at these temps. You can try to switch to synthetic and see if it helps you out.

And yes your master cylinder has a "full" line. Fill it up to it.
 
Last edited:
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
2,957
0
0
Clearwater, MN
GL, I believe it is the weather but then again I dont know how cold "very cold" is in ATL. like 0 degrees or like 40 degrees?
 
I

iskrem

New Member
Oct 1, 2008
73
0
0
Norway, Gardermoen
Gearing in cold weather makes it feel "harder".

As for tough shifting, if you can not shift into gear and have to shift randomly and try the gear again for it to work, it might be due to worned old "pins" or whatever it is called in the gearbox that makes shifting "easier" by leading the shift into right place. My inferior english can not provide a better explaination than that. :p
 
sneakypete

sneakypete

Regular Member
Jul 18, 2007
1,129
0
0
Central NJ
if you dont have any fluid in you master cylinder, then that is a problem. Fill it up and find the leak, then fix it. Shifting should be smoother but not perfect in the winter
 
Count Knobula

Count Knobula

New Member
Jan 31, 2007
144
0
0
Atlanta
92nsx;1204018 said:
GL, I believe it is the weather but then again I dont know how cold "very cold" is in ATL. like 0 degrees or like 40 degrees?
Click to expand...

it gets as low as 30f (occasionally as cold as the twenties) in the early mornings (when I set off).


Anyway, got some brake fluid, gave it a drive for about a half hour, smooth as butter. Nothing leaked out (yet) indicating it's been a gradual thing.

In fact thinking back it has got progressively tougher, so it's clear I have a slow leak. What's annoying is that I bought new lines and a new master and slave cylinder.

At least it isn't a disaster, yet!
 
Count Knobula

Count Knobula

New Member
Jan 31, 2007
144
0
0
Atlanta
Getting home was fine.

This morning was not great though. Getting into reverse gave me a little grinding.

Getting into first and second was still more difficult than it should be. Slave cylinder problems?

Master still has plenty of fluid (though I think a TINY amount has gone since yesterday).

EDIT: Weak slave cylinder?
 
Last edited:
92nsx

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
2,957
0
0
Clearwater, MN
I still think the cold weather is playing a roll even in the 20's it might make things a little tough.

Your slave cylinder could be getting weak. Remove the inspectin cover on the drivers side of the tranny and have a look at it and see if you can see it leaking. You might need a friend to help you out with this. One person to press in the clutch and one to look at it under the car. The slave cylinder (dot3) should not need to be filled ever as long as there isnt a leak. So if it is low again there is leak in your system, or tons of air in your system, but then your clutch would feel mushy.
 
Count Knobula

Count Knobula

New Member
Jan 31, 2007
144
0
0
Atlanta
92nsx;1204726 said:
I still think the cold weather is playing a roll even in the 20's it might make things a little tough.

Your slave cylinder could be getting weak. Remove the inspectin cover on the drivers side of the tranny and have a look at it and see if you can see it leaking. You might need a friend to help you out with this. One person to press in the clutch and one to look at it under the car. The slave cylinder (dot3) should not need to be filled ever as long as there isnt a leak. So if it is low again there is leak in your system, or so much air in your system, but then your clutch would feel mushy.
Click to expand...

Got it. The clutch pedal is still lighter than usual. I'll check ASAP.

EDIT: In case it is the slave, can anyone point out which of these cylinders it is (for the R154) in the following link:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/Disp...12&cycleCount=2532&currentPage=3&newPage=true

Basically cos I cant remember and would like to order it for the weekend in case.
 
Last edited:
Count Knobula

Count Knobula

New Member
Jan 31, 2007
144
0
0
Atlanta
92nsx;1204751 said:
Oreilly auto look at part #'s
CSA103751 Slave cylinder
CMA350012 Clutch master cylinder
Click to expand...

appreciated :)

EDIT: can you see the right hydraulic lines there too? just in case?
 
Last edited:
suprafanatic

suprafanatic

New Member
May 25, 2007
1,607
0
0
37
Greenwood, IN
I honestly think its just the cold weather. my car has the same issue now that it is in the 20s. but after the car is warmed up after driving for a while shifting goes back to how it should be.
 
black89t

black89t

boost'en down 101
Oct 27, 2007
951
0
0
36
humboldt, ca
look on the floor up by the clutch pedal. your master cylinder might be done. the cold weather will make it a little rough, but he said it has lost a little fluid. last time i had to add fluid was when i swap motors, master cylinders, and a ton of other parts. not a drop since. that was in the summer to btw. in other words it should leak a drop. i have new aisin mc and sc.

and to get into first or rev let the car idle in neutral with the clutch out (only takes a second or two). it will make all the gears in the tranny spin. so they will sycronize better (line up) compared to starting your car (never letting the clutch out) and craming it into gear while nothing is spinning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom