1999 Beetle Manual Trans Issues

I have a 1999 Beetle with 110k miles. I have 2 issues going on with my transmission and I don't know if it is serious.

"First" Issue:
About 15K miles ago, I started experiencing issues with getting it into 1st gear. If I am at a stop and I put it into 1st, it seems to "grind" a little. But it's not consistent - only happens sometimes, but more and more frequently lately. What I discovered recently is to prevent that from happening, I put the it into 2nd gear, then into 1st. No grinding is ever felt if I do it this way.

Has anyone experienced this too and if so, do you know what's causing it?


"Second" Issue:
In the morning, after I've let the car warm up, when I drive off, getting the car into second gear is very very hard. At a stop, there's no problem getting it into any gear, but when I driving and I'm going from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 2nd, it is very difficulty to get into 2nd. This is only in the morning. After the car has been driven for a while - about 2-3 miles - getting into 2nd becomes smooth again.

Has anyone experienced this too and if so, do you know what's causing it?

I'm thinking it could be my fluid. I changed it about 25K miles ago using the type and weight recommended by VW (I forget exactly what at the moment).

What type (brand and weight) is recommended? I live in a Colorado where it snows during the winter and pretty hot during the summer.

Have you noticed a similar grinding into reverse? Perhaps try the Redline brand gear oil, many claim it stopped symptoms similar to yours.

No, reverse seems to be just fine. I'll look into this brand of oil, though.

Have you tried pumping the clutch pedal a few times to see if it makes it easier to get into first w/o grinding? Has the clutch fluid ever been changed/bleed?

I was not aware of a "clutch fluid". And no, I have not changed or bled it. If it's low or need changing, it may explain why it grinds a little when going into 1st. But how likely is this?

And what about the 2nd gear issue?

It actually uses the brake fluid, but has a seperate master & slave cylinder to actuate the clutch. It has to be bled/changed seperately from the brake system. Fluid change interval should be about 3 years. Did you try pumping the pedal a few times to see if it makes it easier to get into gear?

No I haven't, but will try it the next time I get a chance.

well, I tooked the advise and bought RedLine MTL (70w80, as per label). The 1st gear grind has yet to reappear, even without shifting into 2nd first. And cold 2nd gear shift also went away.

These results were almost instantaneuous after changing the trans fluid to RedLine.

But one thing worries me....someone from other forums says that VW trans are very specific in what fluids are to be used ... so specific that between new beetle models itself, certain models use one kind while others use another depending on the VIN or engine code it has.

Can someone validate this?

I'm afraid that while I experience immediate results using Redline, I may be damaging the trans in the long run.

Please advise.

Manual trans no. use any manual trans lube as specified
AUto trans yes. use vw fluid

Thanks veedub.
It still amazes me how well this RedLine took care of the issues I was having.

Boschman...chalk me up on that list of people. Thanks for the tip.

sorry for bringing up this old thread,,, but this exact situation is happening with my bug,,, it kind of grinds when putting it into 1st.

What is this redline fluid? Any specifics on how to change/administer it??
Please help,,, i was thinking this was my clutch!?!?

thanks~

you could be having clutch issues, if the pressure plate springs are wearing the clutch may not be totally dis-engaging when you shift gears.

yea, thats what i heard, but it seems to totally disengage at halfway down or 3/4 of the way down... but after reading above I thought that stuff might help me out... i cant find it anywhere though?

RedLine is expensive oil liked by car enthusiast. In my opinion, try the using RedLine (www.redlineoil.com) first to see if it goes away. If not, then you may have clutch issues. Like I said, in my exact experience, it worked out to be just the fluid (still keeping my fingers crossed, though).

Changing the fluid is fairly easy on these beetles - easier than changing the engine oil. You'll need a huge allen-key wrench for the drain and fill plugs (don't know the specific size roff the top of my head), but a simple call to the dealer should get you the size you need. Jack up the car and look at that tarnny casing. I believe there's a "VW" embleming ... and next to it is the drain plug (with a huge allen-key fitting). It faces directly downwards. For the fill plug.... from the drain plug, follow the casing towards the front of the car. On the front-wall of the casing, there will be another plug with the same allen-key fitting - this is the fill plug. You'll need to pump the oil to get it into the tranny - but this is common and you can get a pump for this purpose in your automotive store.

Good luck....

Cool deal guys,
I work at the toyota dealership so soon as i can get my hands on that oil and an open lift, I got it.
Thanks again!!