I have a 2015 Vantage that has a grind going into 3rd gear. The rest of the gears are fine, and the clutch pedal feels fine. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

You could change the transmission oil and use the Bot 270a Castrol fluid. If that does not work then the only permanent fix would be a rebuild.

 

Just when cold or hot also? If also hot when was the last time the fluid was changed? Possibly the synchro is messed up

 

How about Redline MT-LV, isn't supposed to be the same or better?

 

Maybe it is. However, when you are having shifting problems, I recommend going with the manufacture recommendation.

 

that fluid is designed for the graziano transmission that was used in the Aston, Lamborghini, and Ferrari so it will be fine.

 

Drain the fluid across a white towel in over a drain pan or container. Large enough for 5 quarts. Bigger the metal, more of an issue. HCF Autosport in Austin TX has good support for the transaxle internals.so you don't have at AM cost. All the gears have dual synchronizers including reverse if memory serves me correct. Call or email HCF they probably could give you a general idea of what may be wrong and parts replacement cost.

 

I agree, but it's not readily available. Redpants has it, supposedly? But that doesn't seem like a very reliable option anymore.

 

I'd second this, unfortunately I don't know if I'd want to place an order from Redpants. Nicholas Mee in the UK could be a good option for finding the Castrol Bot 270a. Valiant Ecosse may have it as well although they don't seem to like to work on smaller orders, might be worth an email though.

 

I am going to go with the Red-Line. I see the bot 270A on eBay, but I don't always trust eBay.

 

Yep, a lot written on this subject.
I bought a 2007 vantage V8 about a year ago (<16k miles at that time).
Transaxle oil was allegedly fresh;
I had the typical hard shifting from 1st to 2nd, semi challenging into 3rd that so much
has been written about.

After much research, I changed the transaxle oil (using Royal Purple) and all filters, washers/nuts (kit from Redpants).

It helped a little, but not enough.
I bit the bullet and bought the Castrol BOT270’A’ formulated for these cars…
From dealer:
Retail was $109. liter,
Wholesale was $69. liter;
I paid $89. plus delivery.

VAST improvement… not good, but much better & gets warmed-up more quickly.

consensus seemed to be absent racing car or a lot of v. aggressive driving, this was the transaxle oils to use (for three pedal V8 Vantage)…

-I regret not using the BOT 270’A’ the 1st time!

your car’s 3rd gear problem may be totally unrelated​​​​​.

 

Royal Purple does not make a 70w/75w. They only make a 75w/90w so of course its going to be heavier. Red Line MT-LV is specific.

https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75w

 

Years ago, after reading Service bulletin 0236, I bought BOA 270A from a dealer online for about $50 dollars per liter. Took the car to the dealer for the bulletin and they used my oil for the oil change. Along with changing the oil to BOT 270A the bulletin also included removing a specific amount of the plastic at the gear shift base along with fitting a new longer bell crank with a slightly different actuator pin location.
This made a difference but like William, the car still fights me getting into second when cold. My routine now is to shift from first to third for the first mile or so. Realizing what the dealers were charging then for BOT 270A I bought 12 liters (still in my garage) smile.

For those interested in Bulletin 0236, my experience is detailed below.

https://bernardembden.com/am/transaxle/index.htm

 

Do you worry about the oil expiring? I read Castrol shelf life is 5 years, manufacture date should be on the bottle?

 

I believe its synthetic. Should last seven to ten years. At my age it might outlive me (smile)