Some specifics about my car first:

2005 Evo VIII
Just turned 35K miles


I have owned the car for about 8 months. I am the second owner. Today I was driving into work, it was about 40 degrees out. I noticed when I turned the car on, it was not so easy to put into gear. Is this possible due to how cold it is outside? I also noticed 4/5 of the times I shifted my car into 5th gear, i heard and felt a grinding noise. I shift very easy into gears and the car has never been raced while I've owned it. I made sure my foot was 100% fully engaged on the clutch when shifting gears and I made sure I put the gears in firmly but slowly and only once it went into 5th gear without grinding being heard/felt.

I'm worried my transmission might be dying. Should I go and get it looked at or just pray and hope it was some other element causing it to do that like the cold?

I can get a buddy of mine who specializes on Evo's to pull my transmission apart for 500.00 and get a relatively good price on replacing parts if my transmission is taking a crap.

What would you do? I just don't want to pay 500.00 if it's something that will go away on it's own or if it was due to the cold? I don't know if that's even possible though.


Your advice and thoughts are GREATLY APPRECIATED. I'm scared this is going to cost some serious coin.


Thanks guys,
Randy

 

just an idea, but maybe bleed your clutch line? if you have air in the system, it may be causing your clutch not to disengage fully when changing gears.

 

is there alot of after market work done to car?

 

Maybe it could be my clutch that's going up...Keep in mind I have the stock clutch. There are only 5K miles on it. I was told stock clutches don't last that long but I've seen some last a lot longer than expected. If I need to replace the clutch I will get an upgraded clutch. I was told I would be lucky if I got 15K miles out of my stock clutch...And again, I don't know how much truth that holds...I don't race the car so I don't know why it would be going up if it is the clutch...I am not new to driving a stick shift either.

The mods I have are:
Megan Racing TBE
Injen U/L IC Piping
Injen Intake
TurboSmart BOV

Maintenance that was recently done was:
Oil Change w/fully synthetic mobile 1 oil
Bosche Oil Filter
Transmission fluid was changed
Transfer Case fluid was changed
Rear Diff Fluid was changed

 

If you never launched and always take it easy, the clutch should last you way more than 15K. I've owned 2 evo 8's on stock clutch both around 30K. For your gear grindings, the 5 speeds are known to do that, being notchy and hard to shift. I would first change out the transmission fluid to check for large shavings and replace it with Amsoil. Let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the input but I already replaced the transmission fluid...Def. didn't look good and I'm glad I did it. Most likely I believe my 5th gear synchro is taking a crap...Unless it's normal for 5 speeds to shift and sometimes grind but I doubt it...?

What do you think I should do since that is already done?

 

sounds like the syncros need replacement.... what transmission fluid did you use?

 

It is normal for these transmissions to be hard to shift when cold. It takes a few blocks of driving for gear oil to be slung around inside the case and all parts to be lubricated. So, I suggest not basing your decision on how a cold transmission shifts.

 

oem.