Putting 6MT in R

laperacfo · 01-14-2010, 06:32 PM

Sometimes in the cold mornings I have trouble putting 6MT in R. Normal?

JoosyJoos · 01-14-2010, 06:34 PM

Fairly normal. You might have messed up the synchro mesh slightly or its just because the fluids are cold. I wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes really difficult.

chip2058 · 01-14-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laperacfo

Sometimes in the cold mornings I have trouble putting 6MT in R. Normal?

I have this too, I believe its the synchros, what I usually do is go in with the clutch twice, like clutch in, remove from my attempt to R back neutral, clutch out clutch in again back to R

John 070 · 01-14-2010, 06:43 PM

Totally happens on my Nissan, but never noticed it on the 335...the 335 is way smoother...

frahuang · 01-14-2010, 06:56 PM

Put it in second, then try reverse again. should go smooth

Orient330iNYC · 01-14-2010, 06:58 PM

happens sometimes when its really cold to me, i usually just engage another gear then go back to R and it good.

2kaccordocoupe · 01-14-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frahuang

Put it in second, then try reverse again. should go smooth

Yup this works. I find you can also put it into first and move an inch or so forward then put it into reverse. Clicks in everyime.

bsamoul · 01-14-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Yup this works. I find you can also put it into first and move an inch or so forward then put it into reverse. Clicks in everyime.

+1, on other cars I've had I've had to roll forward a little bit to go backwards when it's really cold out. Didn't realize the BMWs had this "issue" too

WrkAddict12 · 01-14-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Yup this works. I find you can also put it into first and move an inch or so forward then put it into reverse. Clicks in everyime.

This is what I do, works every time

jopa489 · 01-14-2010, 07:40 PM

Normal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsamoul

+1, on other cars I've had I've had to roll forward a little bit to go backwards when it's really cold out. Didn't realize the BMWs had this "issue" too

It's not an "issue" - reverse has no synchro. Sometimes, even when stopped, you need to roll the car an inch to get it into reverse.

TexAg06 · 01-14-2010, 07:50 PM

also, it is always a good idea when the temp is lower to wait a bit before trying to put it in gear.

RedDinan335i · 01-14-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

Normal.

It's not an "issue" - reverse has no synchro. Sometimes, even when stopped, you need to roll the car an inch to get it into reverse.

^^^^+10,000

Manual transmissions don't have syncro's in R or 1st. To get the gears to align you must reapply the clutch or go to another gear for proper alignment.

Metro · 01-14-2010, 08:16 PM

I always wait until I hear the flapper valve on the exhaust open up before trying to move the car and never had a problem - only takes 30-45 seconds.

BK · 01-14-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDinan335i

^^^^+10,000

Manual transmissions don't have syncro's in R or 1st. To get the gears to align you must reapply the clutch or go to another gear for proper alignment.

It's atypical, but I believe the E9x 6MT has synchros for all six forward gears and for reverse. A synchronized 1st gear is common. Synchronized reverse gear is unusual because it's not really needed (you usually come to a stop before engaging reverse) but some cars have it, our cars are among them. Or at least that's what was reported when this car first came out.

OP just needs the fluids to warm up a bit. Try running through a few gears while the clutch is in, then put it in reverse.

Orient330iNYC · 01-14-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDinan335i

^^^^+10,000

Manual transmissions don't have syncro's in R or 1st. To get the gears to align you must reapply the clutch or go to another gear for proper alignment.

not exactly true. the M66 gearbox in my old R had syncros in 1st and R.

getrag supplies the MT in the 335i, here are the syncro specs:

Synchronization
1st and 2nd gear triple cone
3rd and 4th gear dual cone
5th and 6th gear single cone
Reverse gear single cone

RedDinan335i · 01-14-2010, 09:05 PM

^^^^I stand corrected. Thanks for the information.

It would seem having or not having syncros, there's still the occasional issue of neutral to 1st and R issues with this transmission. Do you have a better suggestion? My method seems to work. Now you have me curious...

jopa489 · 01-14-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDinan335i

^^^^I stand corrected. Thanks for the information.

It would seem having or not having syncros, there's still the occasional issue of neutral to 1st and R issues with this transmission. Do you have a better suggestion? My method seems to work. Now you have me curious...

Likewise. I was almost positive there was no R syncro in these cars. Interesting information.

Nr!qUe · 01-14-2010, 10:11 PM

This happens to me all the time. Heres what i do:

When I'm stuck and the reverse gear wont fall in, I apply slight pressure towards the direction of the R gear and slowly let out the clutch until I can feel the gear click into engagement. Then I drive off.
I sounds more time consuming than it really is and I've developed a habit for doing it.

If you let the clutch out too fast you'll hear grinding.

I felt my changing to first or reverse gears very stiff with the colder weather recently. We've been getting mid to high 30s last week but we're in about mid 60s low 70s now. Crazy South Florida weather.

wj4 · 01-14-2010, 10:20 PM

Putting it in first gear always fix it for me. This has also happened in my previous car, an Evo 8. And my friend experiences this also on his RSX-S.

Healey3000 · 01-15-2010, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDinan335i

Manual transmissions don't have syncro's in R or 1st. To get the gears to align you must reapply the clutch or go to another gear for proper alignment.

Hi,

Almost all modern car gearboxes have synchros in first gear. Otherwise, you'd have to be dead stopped before you can engage first. In years gone by, many didn't.

My 1968 Austin Healey 3000 does not have a synchro in first and if you are rolling even a little and try to engage it, it will grind.

Regards,
Adnan

lopealle · 01-15-2010, 01:09 AM

first gear than reverse and your fine. fastest way to get it to go in

jayely1 · 01-15-2010, 01:26 AM

R is hard to get into initially, plus the cold weather, completely normal

01-14-2010, 06:32 PM	#1
laperacfo First Lieutenant 48 Rep 372 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X5 [0.00]	Putting 6MT in R Sometimes in the cold mornings I have trouble putting 6MT in R. Normal?
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01-14-2010, 06:34 PM	#2
JoosyJoos Major 113 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Fairly normal. You might have messed up the synchro mesh slightly or its just because the fluids are cold. I wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes really difficult. __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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01-14-2010, 06:43 PM	#4
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Totally happens on my Nissan, but never noticed it on the 335...the 335 is way smoother...
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01-14-2010, 06:56 PM	#5
frahuang First Lieutenant 7 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 08 328i e90 Blk/Blk 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Irvine, CA, USA iTrader: (14)	Put it in second, then try reverse again. should go smooth __________________ 08 328i e90 Black/Black 6MT, BMS POWER BOX, Eibach Pro System, Blacklines, M3 Spoiler, 197 BBS Wheels, Xenon and Homelink
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01-14-2010, 06:58 PM	#6
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1469 Rep 3,552 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	happens sometimes when its really cold to me, i usually just engage another gear then go back to R and it good. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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01-14-2010, 07:50 PM	#11
TexAg06 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (2)	also, it is always a good idea when the temp is lower to wait a bit before trying to put it in gear.
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01-14-2010, 08:16 PM	#13
Metro Lieutenant 29 Rep 474 Posts Drives: 04 ///M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (10)	I always wait until I hear the flapper valve on the exhaust open up before trying to move the car and never had a problem - only takes 30-45 seconds. __________________
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01-14-2010, 09:05 PM	#16
RedDinan335i Private First Class 1 Rep 102 Posts Drives: Red 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (1)	^^^^I stand corrected. Thanks for the information. It would seem having or not having syncros, there's still the occasional issue of neutral to 1st and R issues with this transmission. Do you have a better suggestion? My method seems to work. Now you have me curious... __________________ Mods: Dinan Stage2 Dinan Exhaust
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01-14-2010, 10:11 PM	#18
Nr!qUe Captain 70 Rep 975 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 LCI 328i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (3)	This happens to me all the time. Heres what i do: When I'm stuck and the reverse gear wont fall in, I apply slight pressure towards the direction of the R gear and slowly let out the clutch until I can feel the gear click into engagement. Then I drive off. I sounds more time consuming than it really is and I've developed a habit for doing it. If you let the clutch out too fast you'll hear grinding. I felt my changing to first or reverse gears very stiff with the colder weather recently. We've been getting mid to high 30s last week but we're in about mid 60s low 70s now. Crazy South Florida weather. __________________ 2009 BMW E90 328i \| Xenons \| MT \| Space Gray \| Beige-ette \| CF Fabric Trim \| iPod/USB \| 20% Tints \| Euro-Plate \| Rear Fog Switch Lego Mod \| Painted Reflectors \| Performance Short-shift Kit \| Style 197 Wheels \| OEM Sport Suspension \|
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01-14-2010, 10:20 PM	#19
wj4 Major General 335 Rep 7,719 Posts Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (8)	Putting it in first gear always fix it for me. This has also happened in my previous car, an Evo 8. And my friend experiences this also on his RSX-S.
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01-15-2010, 01:09 AM	#21
lopealle Resident Black Guy 251 Rep 2,302 Posts Drives: Lion Join Date: May 2009 Location: Federal Way, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 M5 [10.00]	first gear than reverse and your fine. fastest way to get it to go in
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01-15-2010, 01:26 AM	#22
jayely1 Colonel 223 Rep 2,076 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Mexico/Illinois iTrader: (1)	R is hard to get into initially, plus the cold weather, completely normal
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