cold weather noises from 6MT transmission...help!

[joe603]

This is a weird one...

I took my car to the dealer a few months back for a list of issues, nothing too bad...just wanted the car to be perfect. Anyway, one of the issues I had them look at was my clutch. If you don't know, the G35 will not do a normal burnout....the clutch pedal will stick to the floor if you drop it at high revs. My clutch was also very jerky, so I had them look at it. They said they adjusted it and replaced the MT fluid.

When I got the car back, I noticed that it was harder to engage 1st gear, and second would clank sometimes (depending on the revs). But since it wasn't as jerky, I thought I'd just live with it. Sometimes it grinds (kind-of slips into gear) from 1st to 2nd.

So now it's getting colder...I've started to hear this droning sound, especially when the car is cold. It's difficult to explain...it almost sounds like its coming from the drivers' side rear window?? The 1st to 2nd shift seems worse as does the 1st gear engagement.

What did the dealer do to my transmission????

[G_whizz]

Hmm... I'm going to assume your fluid is ok because your a smart guy and would have checked that.

Maybe the clutch linkage is binding?

Is there any vibration??

*EDIT* could also be CV or U-joints.

[joe603]

Clutch fluid is fine...clutch itself seems OK. No more vibration than normal...

So you don't have a low pitch hum when the car is cold?

...I do let my car warm up for at least 1min when it's cold. The temp gage moves before I move the car.

[G_whizz]

I haven't noticed... it's -1C here today, so I'll pay attention when I start her up at lunch and report back.

[zozoka1212]

When did you change your transmission oil?

Time to take it in and get it fixed. I think you'll end up with a new transmission.

zozo

[G_whizz]

Just came back from lunch. Warmed the car up till it idled at 1100RPM. Didn't hear anything weird at all.

[joe603]

I didn't hear it at lunch either...but it's warm today (mid 50s). What about when you engage 2nd...does it pop in place, sometimes making a "clank" sound?

[Sentientbydesign]

I didn't hear it at lunch either...but it's warm today (mid 50s). What about when you engage 2nd...does it pop in place, sometimes making a "clank" sound?

Mine does this sporadically. I assume it's not normal

[joe603]

Mine does this sporadically. I assume it's not normal

What about you Sean? Did your 05 do it? (or your 06)

[Ar878]

I didn't hear it at lunch either...but it's warm today (mid 50s). What about when you engage 2nd...does it pop in place, sometimes making a "clank" sound?

I also sporadically hear a clank noise when I go from first to second. In Texas, the weather has been around the 50-60F degrees for a while but I've heard the clank when the weather was still warm around the upper 70s to 80s. I definitely to listen to the car now to see if it's doing it more often in the cold weather.

But other than that, I haven't heard a low droning sound. I'll keep my ears alert, though.

[Jacko3]

Joe603:

Have you replaced the clutch since you bought the car? If not, then ask them to take the clutch apart and put it back together under warranty if they don't want to replacce the clutch. Make sure you ask them to replace the transmission fluid as well.

My experience so far with mine is that the car was put together badly form the factory. With each maintenance and replacements, the car has felt better and more coordinated. Also, avoiding pushing down on the stick in anyway when shifting---though i know this is not the case. Just my 2 cents.

[joe603]

I'm just hoping that its not from shoddy maintenance at the dealer. It's not really a good time for my car to be flaky...

[Sentientbydesign]

I'm just hoping that its not from shoddy maintenance at the dealer. It's not really a good time for my car to be flaky...

I wish you lived on this coast. It would be nice to have another 05 6mt coupe to compare "issues" with in person.

[G_whizz]

Ok... mine only sometimes has a very faint "clank" when going into second. It's cold here now so I have no idea if that has anything to do with it or not.

Tough to describe, maybe more of a click actually...

[joe603]

The clank/grind sound going into 2nd is pretty loud when I first drive the car in the morning.

The other sound that's bugging me is almost like a rushing wind noise that sounds like its coming from my drivers side rear window...but it doesn't do it all the time, just when it's cold.

The sound does seem to go away if the car is coasting in neutral....which worries me.

[Jacko3]

Does it make that sound at specific RPMs?

[marlin29311]

I feel like they may have mounted the MT back on a little off - my brother's mustang did this when he first got it, and it was because the transmission wasn't lined up exactly (IIRC...) to where it should have been. He took it back to the dealer and the re-set it and everything shifted fine from there...

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Hopefully the shop who worked on your car will warranty their work.

You should take marlin's advice, go back to the shop, tell them your problem,and see if they're willing to negotiate a solution

Has this happended at all before, or just after you had it in for repair? Good luck, keep us posted bro!

[joe603]

When I got the car back I noticed it, but she didn't engage into gear as jerky...This wind-rushing noise is new. It did it today at lunch so it may be getting worse.

I'll keep you guys informed, I have an appointment for Monday afternoon.

[silverbullit05]

hey i just wanted to let you know i have an 05 coupe also. at 20000 mile throught 26000 miles i had a nasty grind from 1st to 2nd. most of the time it was only when i was racing. or shifting fast at over 4500rpms. i took it to 1 dealer they said it was normal but because im a mechanic i was not acceptant of this and took it to another dealer come to find out this has been an issue from 03 to early model 05 and some later models. however they told me this is covered under a tsb and they need to replace both flywheel and mt 6 transmission after i got the car back i noticed the shifting is greatly improved but shifts are still notchy from first to second. i recommend you bringing it back to a different dealer if possible and tell them whats been done so far and then tell them you heard of the bullit to replace flywheel and trany. o yea if you here a tick / click sound from the rear of the car tell them to fix that also that is a tsb also. they regrease and retorque the axles. hope this helps

[joe603]

Thanks! I'll have them do the regrease/retorque the axles...but I'm taking it to the same place as it's much closer. If they don't do anything major with the transmission, I'll take it to another dealer.

[Jacko3]

When I forst bought my 2007 6MT, it had a few very minor issues trying to shift from 1 to 2, but i didn't mind it one bit. However, after i received a revised engine, all of that disappeared. I am pleased with what i have now.

The G-35's engine has to work exactly right or mated properly with the transmission for a perfect shift. This is unusual.

[eZg001]

Is this the twilight zone?

I am experiencing THE SAME EXACT ISSUES, even down to the whistling noise.

Mine started when the dealer replaced my clutch and slave cylinders. I thought perhaps they had adjusted something on my clutch/transmission as well as replacing the cylinders because the shifting had become more "Pronounced" almost to the "Notchy" point. While I used to be able to put the car into first when it was ever so slowly rolling, now I have to come to a complete stop. I also sometimes get the first to second grind.

I kinda thought the whistle noise was a seperate issue. I just had an Unorthodox lightweight pully installed in addition to the heaven-sent MREV2 and 5/8 spacer. Not to mention Tein S-techs.

Please let us know what the dealership says.......

[joe603]

...man, I thought I was going crazy or something! I'm glad someone else has the same issue. Did it just start making the noise when the weather cooled down?

Shifting into 1st while rolling requires more effort than I would like...I feel like I'm forcing it in gear.

Anyway, I'll post up the dealer's findings.

[Sentientbydesign]

From my internet searching, the general concensus is that you shouldn't be downshifting into 1st. Something about excessive wear on the synchros.

I have found that blipping the throttle while trying to shift into 1st helps.

[Jacko3]

Don't ever force the car into 1st gear when it is rolling---it is hard to do so. Better to leave it in second. Try to come to a complete stop before shifting into 1st. Even my manual little nissan has that same issue. It seems this is how many Nissan manuals are made these days.

I also had the issue of shifting into 2nd as well in my little Nissan until I replaced the clutch and all of that disappeared. Your transmission is perfectly fine but i think either the clutch was not installed properly or that it has worn considerably or some sort of alignment isn't in great condition.

[joe603]

Dealership just called and I'm getting a new transmission for my 05. Now is the time to replace the clutch!

What have you guys used??? I'm thinking JWT.

Any info will help!!!!!

[tollboothwilley]

I've heard good things about the JWT

with all aftermarket clutches, people have said to feel more feedback/vibration, for good or for bad

are they making you pay for the new clutch?