Cannot get gearbox into gear when weather is cold!

[kboiling]

Hi There

My son has had a 318is since the spring. When the air temperature starts to get down towards freezing (like this morning!), it can take 10 minutes of trying to get into first or reverse. It's been fine all summer, but was the same on cold mornings earlier in the year. He thought it had cured itself, but it must just have been that it hadn't been that cold all summer. Anybody had the same problem, or know what it might be?

Many thanks!

[jbh]

bit of a long shot but id try renewing the clutch fluid

[chrisr29]

Mine does the same. I just stick it in gear before I start it.

It may be worth trying synthetic gear oil......although I have since noticed that the nylon cup that holds the gear lever in has worn quite a lot allowing the gear lever to lift when you push it forward. Dunno if this has any bearing.

I suspect that it's really down to wear in the gear box.

[daimlerman]

'er indoors moans constantly about the change from 1 to 2 on my 2.7 (ex 320i 'box).I have a short shift as well! Next gearbox oil change I will try ATF.Has your lad changed the gearbox oil at all?

[neilboi]

Yeah I try to leave it in gear but if it is too close to something in front or behind, I don't want to risk forgetting I put it in gear!
Thanks for help guys.
I am owner of the car by the way.

[kboiling]

Thanks for this guys - yes gerabox and diff oil were changed about 3 weeks ago....

[tomson]

It could possibly be the clutch is worn and not engaging properly till its warm ? ? ?

[kboiling]

Thanks guys

We'll try new clutch fluid and bleed the system!

[bigkev]

Mine has a new clutch , fluid and slave cylinder and also expensive fully synthetic oil and it has made bugger all difference , I think its just the oil being too thick when cold so I am going to try the ATF oil route next.

[fowler]

i was think along the lines of slave cylinder not moving clutch enought to get into gear.
what about worn gear linkage and when warm operates correctly as heat in the area around the gearbox gets quite warm

[DanThe]

You need some synthetic gear oil,

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks for this guys - yes gerabox and diff oil were changed about 3 weeks ago....

This is probably the problem. Happened to me once.
It was probably ATF in the gearbox before, and you've replaced it with SAE80. Change it again for ATF.