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Grinding gears

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  #1  
Old 01-03-2008 | 01:01 AM
MasterJT's Avatar
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Default Grinding gears

So I was driving today and I didnt let my car warm up and its pretty cold here. I was in a hurry.It was grinding going from 1st to 2nd everytime untill about 5 minutes then it stopped. Then it grinded again in 3rd and 5th gears. Is this a common problem with cars if theyre cold? I noticed shifting gets smoother once I been driving for a while. But I hope I didnt do much damage to my car. Also I forgot to shift in 3rd gear racing my friend and I went to about 7600 rpm... Redline is 7400. I dont usually take my car this high. Also I usually vtec my car atleast once everytime I drive to about 6000rpm. Then usually drive normal shifting at about 3000. Im not killing my car am I? But Im probably not gonna race like that again. I feel bad about it now.
 
  #2  
Old 01-03-2008 | 01:26 AM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

No, you aren't killing it by revving high, but you are eating fuel a lot faster. :P

The gears grinding could be the syncros. If it keeps happening and you don't want to pull the gear box apart yourself, you should probably get it looked at.
 
  #3  
Old 01-03-2008 | 02:18 AM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

I keep my rpms low casually driving though usually around 2000 through the city since Im not gonna be going fast. The grinding has only happened this bad when I didnt let my car warm up. It was weird cause I shifted like I normally do. I dont even understand how you grind gears? I know I had the clutch down all the way. Although the clutch is pretty hard to push but Im used to it. My friend said I might need new clutch fluid.
 
  #4  
Old 01-03-2008 | 03:35 AM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

You can try double clutch, incase it didn't engage properly. If you go to change gears and it grinds, release the clutch and press it in again, then change.

As I said, could be the synchros. It happens when the two teeth of the gears are spinning at different speeds. The syncrho is designed to spin the gear you're changing into at the correct speed. When the synchro is out, one spins at another speed, and when they try to engage, the teeth don't join together properly, and you get the loud crunching noise.
 
  #5  
Old 01-03-2008 | 10:05 AM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

double clutching is usually done in trucks, though...

grinding gears typically happens when your gears are not spinning at the same speeds. it can also happen when you dont have the clutch in far enough (i think, may be wrong) because ive had my car grind on me and i noticed i didnt have the clutch in all the way.
 
  #6  
Old 01-03-2008 | 12:00 PM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

how long has it been since ur clutch has been replaced??? that could be ur culprit!!!
 
  #7  
Old 01-03-2008 | 12:47 PM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

Double clutching helps if the clutch isn't engaging properly...
 
  #8  
Old 01-03-2008 | 01:17 PM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

clutch is stock and the car has 71000miles on it.
 
  #9  
Old 01-03-2008 | 08:46 PM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

Make sure you have enough brake fluid in your clutch master cylinder. When it cold out, brake fluild has a tendency to shrink in volume. So when you start driving around, the heat from the motor expands the brake fluid. I know it sounds crazy. Also, you may want to bleed theline to remove any air bubbles.
 
  #10  
Old 01-05-2008 | 08:40 PM
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Default RE: Grinding gears

Well today the car didnt grind once. It was a rainy day and I let it warm upcompared to before where there was snow and I just started it up and started driving.But it was still somewhat cold. Another problem. I dunno whats wrong but it seems when its cold the engine turns off when I start it up. But then its fine when I start it up again. Whats the deal?

So I have a question. The car is a 99 prelude with 71000 miles. Its been sitting in a yard for 2 years. Only needed a new battery oil changeand tires. Now since its been sitting for a while should I take it in for maintenence? Theres a maintenence light but its green I dont know if it means to take it in or if the car is fine. It drives fine though.
 


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