darren f Posted March 23, 2003 Share Posted March 23, 2003 A quick question- my 6-speed gearbox (600 miles old) is a bit of a so-and-so when changing 1st to 2nd when starting from cold. When warmed up all is fine. Is this a known problem or should I start worrying? (or alter my crap driving 😳) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted March 23, 2003 Share Posted March 23, 2003 The six speed can take a little while to free up so it might get better with use. Worth getting Caterham to check at the next service (assuming you complete 6000 miles (which you should). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted March 23, 2003 Share Posted March 23, 2003 They all seem to be a bit stiff for the first few '000 miles, the last one I drove with 900 miles on the clock was almost impossible to get from 2nd to 3rd even once it was warmed up. Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted March 23, 2003 Share Posted March 23, 2003 they all do that sir! Well, lots of the ones I have driven have. I always seem to have to change from 1st to 3rd until it's got warm. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicat Posted March 23, 2003 Share Posted March 23, 2003 Mines the same 1st to 2nd is a pain when cold - care needed Once fully warmed up - 30mins blatting 1st to 2nd is OK Box has done 4000miles - I assume it will loosen up further. 🤔 Alicat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted March 23, 2003 Share Posted March 23, 2003 It gets better, but even after 11000 miles, from cold 1 - 2 is still a slow process until warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bare Posted March 24, 2003 Share Posted March 24, 2003 Surprising.. the average G'box only gets a few degrees over ambient Temp.. unlikely it will EVER feel warm to your touch (unless it's ready to sieze:-) Warming up is no longer a genuine concern (this IS the 21st century, not the 19th after all) Respectfully suggest you dump whatever sludge oil is in the poor thing and refill with HONDA MTF.. this has proven to be superior to Redline and Motul as a Gear lube.. besides Honda prices on the stuff is MUCH less . IF this does not "fix" the problem.. then it's time for a 'refund' for the faulty design box ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted March 24, 2003 Share Posted March 24, 2003 I refilled the box with redline MTL , I was shocked at the difference in shift quality from hot and the bulking from 1st > 2nd was far better when cold . Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesA Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Although not a Caterham, I have a 1988 BMW that had a difficult gearbox when cold, I recently switched to redline MTL, what a difference it made. The Gearbox shifts very nicely now even when cold. I started out with redline in my 5 speed that is in my Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren f Posted March 25, 2003 Author Share Posted March 25, 2003 Thanks for the replies, the consensus would seem to be that it is a common problem- one of the quirks that give Caterhams their character I suppose . It is a bit embarrassing when having started up and alerted everyone in the vicinity of your presence, you pull away with a less than impressive 'baaaaarp, clunk, kerrrunch' (if you know what I mean ). I think I may try some of the Redline MTL recommended (...after the warranty period of course ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allegro Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 How much oil does the gearbox take ? I plan a change before this Saturday's Llandow. Also, is Redline MTL off the shelf at Cafco or Halfrauds ? Andy Mac C7 GON 😬 Team Langoustine. Hard Core Prawn here 😬 Edited by - ALLEGRO on 25 Mar 2003 12:25:42 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 "Surprising.. the average G'box only gets a few degrees over ambient Temp.. unlikely it will EVER feel warm to your touch (unless it's ready to sieze:-) " What a load of cobblers - My boxes on my sevens & MG regularly feel warm - on a long trip like down to Le Mans the heat conducts up the gear lever eventually. Whether this is heat generated in the box or conducted from the engine is another matter. Wherever it comes from it thins the oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 I have to agree with AVES, to say a gearbox will never reach more than a few degrees above ambient unless it is ready to sieze is nonsense, perhaps this comment is designed to induce worry! Rgds Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Is BARE an acronym for: Bollocks Always Recited Endlessly??? Fat Arn Visit the K2 RUM website See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Gearboxes that don't select gear well until they warm up have been around for a long time. This was always considered to be a classic Ferrari trait and I had a 1600HF Fulvia that was exactly the same. It was always easier to change from 1st to 3rd when it was cold. As most gearboxes lose about 1.5 - 2% transmitted power per mesh engaged it would be a miracle if they didn't warm much above ambient and you couldn't run the car on a really cold winter day as the box would never reach operating temperature. (Minimum probably about 40 degC to give the right clearances) If the oil is too cold you would certainly get quite poor scuffing performance and quite bad wear. I would guess most Caterham boxes run at around 50 degC and maybe even hotter given a real good thrashing. In the limit with really powerful engines in race cars transmission coolers may not be a bad idea. Has anyone put a temperature measuring strip on their car and taken readings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Don't be silly Arnie, it couldn't be an acronym for that as it is grammatically in error, being tautological in nature. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Locust Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Don't worry about using MTL inside the warranty period. When pushed, CC recommended MTL, even gave the DT catalogue page number! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted March 25, 2003 Share Posted March 25, 2003 Graham, T'was the results of just a moments efforts.... Fat Arn Visit the K2 RUM website See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren f Posted March 26, 2003 Author Share Posted March 26, 2003 Is there a drain plug on the six-speed gearbox 🤔 🤔 (.......... I'm too blinking lazy to go out to the garage and look myself 😳) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allegro Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 Yes. I believe there is a plug at the bottom beneath the oil fill plug. I would still like to know what the oil capacity is for a six speed. Please. Andy Mac C7 GON 😬 Team Langoustine. Hard Core Prawn here 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Payne Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 The oil capacity is about two American quarts (1.9 ltrs?) Regards Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 I've also had exactly the same problem with mine. I adopted the change from 1st to 3rd method until warmed through. However I think I will try Redline MTL after reading this thread as it clearly seems to make an improvment. Looks like DT will be doing some good trade over the next few days! Phil, frustrated ☹️ it's on axle stands at the moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted March 26, 2003 Share Posted March 26, 2003 Many years ago in another Lotus, the accepted procedure was to put a bottle of brasso in the gearbox for 500 miles. That allowed everything to mesh together quite nicely. Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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