So I talked to a guy at a local shop today and based on my description, he said he thinks it's a synchro issue.

Didn't see too much in the Knowledge thread, the closest was a Gbox detent install on RT and there was a short throw shifter install for a Cayman (the comment said it was a similar process for a 996), but that one was old and the pictures/write up were no longer there.

 

if you read from the many extensive threads on 2nd gear popout, that will apply to your situation since you're gonna need 1st/2nd and the synchros replaced for each since those two gears and parts interact the *most*. a few grand at a bare minimum.

the gbox detent and all that isn't going to help you. sorry to say.

 

I have had the same thing happen. Honestly, it feels like it is dropped completely in first but it actually isn't and when it pops the sound it makes is scary. Personally I have found it can be controlled by ensuring the delivery into first is complete by dropping into second first and then dropping all the way into first. There is a sweet spot you can feel when it drops all the way in. Since performing this manuever I have never had the issue. It might just be me and the way I shift the car, but I plan to have my indy check the cables on my upcoming oil change, just to make sure things are kosher.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I started doing this if I thought it didn't feel right.

Well, I got the car checked out today at the shop I mentioned and they didn't think there was an issue. They recommended swapping out the tranny oil with Swepco. That was about it. I'm relieved and I guess slightly embarrassed because I guess I just need to be more thorough with engaging first gear.

I drove the car a handful of times this weekend and today and haven't had the problem happen.

 

It will come back. Changing that is just a small fix but in a couple of miles you will get the same thing.

 

you guys shouldn't have to do anything special to engage or stay in first gear. i'm having difficulty even imagining not knowing when properly in 1st! i don't remember first gear engagement being on the learning curve but if it is for you, no harm/foul. maybe your gear oil was 10 years old. that's definitely not like a hot knife thru butter either i certainly hope you don't have a problem, and have shared my horror stories with a bad gear, but the truth is, any popping out of gear in this car is portentous and foreboding. perhaps it will never happen again, but that isn't likely if it is an intermittent gear issue. i'm also not surprised that absent being able to replicate the ( non? ) issue at the shop, your indie suggested flushing the gear oil. that will certainly make for smoother and more certain shifts and they can't tell ya sh*t beyond that if it doesn't *happen* then and there.

but if it POPPED out of first? like you said earlier, it will happen again. at least with fresh gear oil, it won't STICK in 1st with engine OFF in 33 degree temps! lol

gl w it! maybe it was nothing that would be great

 

Well, I'll see how it goes and if anything else happens, I'll definitely take it back to the shop.

Hah I agree. That's why I thought it was an issue. I've been driving manual cars for almost 7 years now and also ride a motorcycle, so engaging first gear is nothing new.

 

..and that's why i think it could be an issue also. i would look into the seriously known shops in NoCal if i were you..eg sharkwerks etc if it continues to occur. not knocking that shop you went to?.. but gear oil is not a "fix" for anything other than old gear oil lol.

you'll know what to do! again, GL!