Manual Transmission Car Has Been Sitting and Hard to Shift
Introduction
If you have a manual transmission car that has been sitting for a while, you may find that it is difficult to shift gears. This is because the transmission fluid has likely drained out of the cylinders and lines, and the gears may have become stiff.
There are a few things you can do to try to fix this problem. First, try to shift the gears into neutral. If you can’t do this, you may need to add some transmission fluid to the car. You can check the fluid level by looking at the dipstick. If the fluid level is low, add some fluid until it reaches the “full” mark on the dipstick.
Once you have added fluid, try to shift the gears again. If the gears are still hard to shift, you may need to bleed the clutch. This is a process of removing air from the clutch lines. You can bleed the clutch by opening the bleeder valve on the clutch slave cylinder and pumping the clutch pedal.
If you have tried all of these things and the gears are still hard to shift, you may need to take the car to a mechanic. The mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it.
Causes of Hard Shifting
* Low transmission fluid: When the transmission fluid level is low, the gears may not be able to get enough lubrication. This can make them hard to shift.
* Air in the clutch lines: Air in the clutch lines can cause the clutch to not engage properly. This can make it hard to shift gears.
* Stiff gears: If the car has been sitting for a long time, the gears may have become stiff. This can make them hard to shift.
* Worn clutch: A worn clutch can also make it hard to shift gears.
Solutions to Hard Shifting
* Add transmission fluid: If the transmission fluid level is low, add some fluid until it reaches the “full” mark on the dipstick.
* Bleed the clutch: If there is air in the clutch lines, bleed the clutch by opening the bleeder valve on the clutch slave cylinder and pumping the clutch pedal.
* Lubricate the gears: If the gears are stiff, you can try to lubricate them by applying a few drops of oil to the shift linkage.
* Replace the clutch: If the clutch is worn, it will need to be replaced.
Conclusion
If you have a manual transmission car that has been sitting for a while and is hard to shift, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem. First, try to shift the gears into neutral. If you can’t do this, you may need to add some transmission fluid to the car. You can also try to bleed the clutch or lubricate the gears. If you have tried all of these things and the gears are still hard to shift, you may need to take the car to a mechanic.
