Gearbox query

[Aki yuno]

Hi MR......again,

I have a mk1, 1996 1.6 and on long trips the transmission tunnel gets quite warm, very warm almost. The metal gear stick gets very warm as does all the trim that consists of the centre console. I would describe the heat something akin to leaving the car in a car park on a cloudy warm summers day. It's not burn your fingerprints off hot but it is noticeably warmer than most of the other trim. I just wanted to ask if this was normal. The metal gearstick gets so warm it's borderline not touchable, the knob on top just warms though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[— kung fu jesus —]

Yes. Check both boots under the center console. One insulates the body where the shifter pokes through, the other seals the shifter unit at the transmission. Maybe change your fluids. There are a few ouced in the shifter turret, then the fluid in the box itself. The heat gets a little worse with an aftermarket header and exhaust.

[Aki yuno]

Yes. Check both boots under the center console. One insulates the body where the shifter pokes through, the other seals the shifter unit at the transmission. Maybe change your fluids. There are a few ouced in the shifter turret, then the fluid in the box itself. The heat gets a little worse with an aftermarket header and exhaust.

I still have a standard exhaust, if I change the fluids, does that help the situation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RustRat]

It's probably the rubber boots KFJ told you. They are torn apart with time, and you are basically sitting on top of your transmission, with nothing in between.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Aki yuno]

It's probably the rubber boots KFJ told you. They are torn apart with time, and you are basically sitting on top of your transmission, with nothing in between.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah, so replacing the boot should sort the issue?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Slampen]

yes....and adding the probarly missing insulation as well....

[HarryB]

BTW when you replace them, liberally coat the outer surface of the small one and both surfaces of the top one with talcum powder. It reduces friction, prolongs their life and helps absorbing the smell of gearbox oil. Might be a good idea to also replace the small plastic "cup" at the end of the gear lever.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Piece on the far left is the lower boot, piece on the far right is the upper boot. There is a piece of jute fluff insulation laying in there on top of the upper (or should be).

I only recommended the transmission oil change because *if* it was low, the transmission would produce more heat. Heat rises, so forth and so on.

[Greasemonkey2000]

If all else fails to alleviate the issue to your satisfaction then some sort of heat/sound insulation on either side, or both, of the transmission tunnel should take care of it.

My previous nb1 with an aftermarket exhaust, in the 100°F+ summer, the transmission tunnel would get so warm you could just stand the heat. I never checked the shift boots or anything as i sold it before it bothered me that much.

Now my experience thus far with my na8 and aftermarket exhaust is that while the transmission tunnel does get warmer than before it isn't nearly as warm as my previous nb1s would be but i have also replaced the shifter boots and changed the transmission and turret oil. I plan on doing sound insulation on the whole interior but more for road noise than heat concern.

[Aki yuno]

How would I go about replacing the oil in the transmission?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Greasemonkey2000]

How would I go about replacing the oil in the transmission?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Basically you have to 1)get the car in the air on jack stands or a lift, 2)remove the 24mm drain plug on the bottom of the rear of the transmission, 3)refill it via the refill plug that is on the left side of the transmission. Here is a video that goes into detail though:

[— kung fu jesus —]

Pro tip:

Anytime you are about change fluid, remove the fill plug first. You are pretty well boned if you drain it, then realize you can't get the fill plug off to put new fluid in.

[Aki yuno]

Pro tip:

Anytime you are about change fluid, remove the fill plug first. You are pretty well boned if you drain it, then realize you can't get the fill plug off to put new fluid in.

That's a good shout, cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[— kung fu jesus —]

I have an aftermarket exhaust and header. The heat on the tunnel by the accelerator pedal was pretty bad (LHD car). When I pulled the carpet back, the paint was burnt on both sides of the body. I degreased the tunnel under the car and placed self-adhesive heat shielding on that side of the tunnel. I also repainted the burnt areas with hi-temp caliper paint, put new insulation under the carpet. Much better. Your issue are most likely the boots.

[Aki yuno]

Sorry I haven't replied immediately. Thanks everyone for the responses and I appreciate the level of experience and knowledge being expended for my questions. you guys are awesome, cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk