First gear popping
 

Hi. My question is, my rx8 is popping out of first gear after driving about 10 feet or so. Does anyone know why that would happen? If I don't shift into second after that small travel in first, I'm not going anywhere.

I would appreciate your help. Thanks.

Chad

I think I figured out what the problem is. I have an aftermarket air intake, and I think that the engine is getting too much power, and causing the transmission to pop out of gear. I figured I would let you all know in case anyone is experiencing the same problem.

This is not possible.
Popping out of gear is a transmission problem, probably pilot bearing.

I think that it is the air intake. Here is why - When more air from an aftermarket air intake is let into the engine, the engine combusts more rapidly. Because of this, there is more power at the flywheel, and therefore when the clutch engages, there is more power to the gears, including first gear. So with more power, wouldn't the gears, in this case first gear be under more pressure? Therefore it pops out?

Thanks,

Chad

First, power gains from an air intake are marginal. If colder air made so much more power, you would pop out of gear in the winter too. Second, you're not making peak power after rolling 10 feet, you're nowhere near the power peak. If more power made gears pop out, you would see it most around 8000rpm. 3rd popping out of gear is pretty specifically a pilot bearing or gear engagement problem, nothing to do with the engine.
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I am guessing you have the AEM cold air intake. I honestly would have been happier with the stock air box but the previous owner installed it. Putting in the stock setup is a hassle since you have to remove the front bumper. What I have read is that the AEM creates a bit more issues from take off in terms of giving it a bit more gas and also the idle can be affected a bit; especially if you remove the little screens on each coupler. The air intake honestly would not cause the gear to pop out of 1st as it is unrelated. It can be that you are needing it to give it more gas to get going since the CAI is less effective than stock at lower rpms.

You have a shifter, pilot bearing, transmission issue, period. Does 1st gear travel up as far as 3rd and 6th? Does 1st have that nice click gear engagement like the rest?

FYI I've had 200HP shots of nitrous on manual transmission vehicles and never once has a gear popped out from increased power.

Yeah, it goes into gear fine. I runs in 2nd-6th just fine. It's 1st, it grinds and pops right out.

Thanks,

Chad

Could new transmission and differential fluid cause it? I changed them three months ago.

Thanks,

Chad

Usually gear pop out causes are not in the wet part of the trans. Pilot bearing would be my first guess. You might hear chirping when changing gears if the pilot bearing is unhappy.

I think I figured out what it is. I have a speedbleeder screw in the slave cylinder. I put the original back in - it is a slightly better fit. I'm gonna take it for a ride shortly and I'll let you know how it works.

Come to find that it wasn't that. Anyone else have any ideas as to what it could be? I appreciate all your feedback.

My check engine light is on. my car is running lean. Would this be associated? I'd appreciate any help.

Chad

The transmission is not related to engine conditions, though that sounds like another issue to look into. Get OBD data on fuel trims and airflow and we can troubleshoot.
for the transmission, you already have recommendations in this thread.

specifically addressed in the video link below; either not going far enough into gear i.e. an adjustment issue, or a component wear issue in the transmission:


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Hi. I am in the process of bleeding my clutch slave cylinder. The clutch fluid in there is a light black. Would this be the problem? I have been pumping it for about 45 minutes and it is still black. The nipple for the slave cylinder is behind the oil filter, is that right? Why would it be black? And then I pump the master cylinder after, and nothing comes out (clutch). Why?

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Chad

Thanks for the syncronizer video. Could it be that there is air in the clutch line?

Air in the clutch line won't cause the transmission to pop out of gear when the clutch pedal is not pressed.

Even if there is not enough pressure in the line to pump a clutch back and forth? It sounds like if there is no clutch engagement first gear won't engage. I can get the rpms up to the 2000 mark fine, and then shift into second. Any more and the shifter will pop back out to neutral, or it will make a grinding noise and then I have to take it out of first. Also, I have a speedbleeder in the clutch slave cylinder.

Hydraulics don't engage the clutch, they only disengage it. It returns when you release the pedal thanks to the pressure plate. If your clutch pedal is poorly adjusted, then it could be holding the clutch slightly disengaged. But if that were true, you would also be able to slip your clutch easily under full throttle.

Yeah, it's slipping in gear now. I just had this replaced about 4 years ago - (clutch and flywheel). I don't know why the clutch is slipping. I did adjust my clutch pedal after noticing it. I am going to put everything back together tomorrow AM, and take it for a drive.

for the 1st gear issue, it has to be either a bad synchronizer, or bent shift fork, or the detent balls/springs fell out. Regardless, if it’s grinding then at a minimum it has a synchronizer issue.

unless you can live without 1st gear, you should look for a replacement transmission.
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Thanks. Sorry one more question. Could it be sticky brakes? I did my brakes about a year ago. If the brakes are sticking, it could cause the car to stick thus pop out of gear.

Anyone? Thanks,

Chad

No.