Z3 thumped out of 1st gear

[Nmartin135]

Hello i drive a manual 2000 2.3 Z3 Roadster. I was at a stop sign today and I put the car into first gear and revved pretty high around 2500 I let the clutch out and heard a thump then the car stalled out. Any ideas what happened I am pretty concerned

 

[Sajk]

What happened next? Is the car driving Ok?

 

[Nmartin135]

What happened next? Is the car driving Ok?

Yes it is fine I visually checked it and drove it back home with no issues

 

[Sajk]

So sounds like it's all good? Perhaps only worry if it happens again. Might have just been a slip of the foot.

 

[Nmartin135]

So sounds like it's all good? Perhaps only worry if it happens again. Might have just been a slip of the foot.

Thank you! And yes I guess so

 

[t-tony]

Possibly 1st not quite fully engaged, can happen with any make.

Tony.

 

[Nmartin135]

Possibly 1st not quite fully engaged, can happen with any make.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, I’ve read about it possibly being the synchros which means a new tranny hopefully that’s not the case.

 

[t-tony]

Not unless it starts happening on a regular basis. Has the gearbox oil been changed? Years ago a mate had a Ford Zephyr 6, like the Z cars had and it used to jump out of 4th. (top) gear on the overrun. His cure? A bungee cord looped over the stick after selecting 4th.

Tony.

 

[Sajk]

Now that Tony mentioned it I remember back in my dim dark fiat 124 sport days that 1st often would not fully engage and pop out with a frightening bang. Car did another 40k miles before i sold it. Sometimes i think italian cars do things like that on purpose.

 

[Pingu]

I've had it pop out of 2nd when I was gunning it.

Were you being "enthusiastic"?

 

[bertiejaffa]

I've had it pop out of 2nd when I was gunning it.

Were you being "enthusiastic"?

I would consider 2500 revs when pulling away from stationary as "enthusiastic"

 

[Nmartin135]

I've had it pop out of 2nd when I was gunning it.

Were you being "enthusiastic"?

Haha definitely was giving it some gas

 

[Pingu]

Haha definitely was giving it some gas

In that case, there is nothing to be concerned about.

It jumped out of gear because the detent isn't strong enough to hold the gear in place. If it were strong enough, you probably would complain about how hard you had to push the lever forward to engage the gear, as you have to push it past the detent to engage the gear.

Gearboxes have helical forward gears to make them less noisy. Because they are helical, the force is shared between that used to spin the shaft and to push the shaft against the detent.

If you ever want to ensure it doesn't happen again, keep your hand on the lever and push the lever in the desired direction.

You could fit a stronger spring on the detent, but it would make the car a bugger to drive, as each gear change would need muscles like Popeye.

 

[Nmartin135]

In that case, there is nothing to be concerned about.

It jumped out of gear because the detent isn't strong enough to hold the gear in place. If it were strong enough, you probably would complain about how hard you had to push the lever forward to engage the gear, as you have to push it past the detent to engage the gear.

Gearboxes have helical forward gears to make them less noisy. Because they are helical, the force is shared between that used to spin the shaft and to push the shaft against the detent.

If you ever want to ensure it doesn't happen again, keep your hand on the lever and push the lever in the desired direction.

You could fit a stronger spring on the detent, but it would make the car a bugger to drive, as each gear change would need muscles like Popeye.

I would consider 2500 revs when pulling away from stationary as "enthusiastic"

Haha definitely

Thank you for your response! It definitely give me some peace of mind!
-Nathan