I just bought my 04 G35C 6mt a week ago with 7500 miles. I noticed same difficulties going into 2nd gear, kind of like teeth not aligned that does not let me put it into 2nd. 3rd gear also, but definitely not as much. After a week I noticed that it shifts smoothly into 2nd if I really push it in 1st gear, especially over 3,500 rpms, then shifting to 2nd gear is greatly improved. Even tho it's not supposed to act like that at low rpm, I tell myself the car and tranny are not intended for babying. So I try to push down more on the gas pedal in 1st gear if I got room in front of me.
Try it guys and let me know if it helps. I think on high rpms the fluid volume is increased thus fixing the problem.

 

nonsense....the problem is the fluid they used in the first place......their are a whole lot of transmissions F'n up on the stock gear oil......there is no record to support one f'n up because of synthetic.....also i believe the gl4 u speak of is for differential...either way....My tranny doesn't grind anymore...

 

you can buy gl4 and gl5 in synthetic. I didn't say that synthetic was a problem but I'll bet if you call mobil and ask if they reccomend their gear oil (gl5) in your trans they will say no. and the gl4 i am speaking of is for manual transmissions as well as SOME differentials.

 

Got my '03 6mt with 29k back from dealer yesterday. I posted earlier that I reported a noise in neutral and they stated they wanted to replace the tranny on warranty. They also tried to sell me a clutch at $1800. I told them no to the clutch and yes to the warranteed tranny. Got a call the next day saying they got the clutch ok'd also on warranty. So, car is back and shifting great with no noise from tranny. Great bonus though - the clutch is now light as a feather. It was really heavy before. I guess they install '05 spec upgraded clutch as replacements for the '03 left leg press machine! I am thrilled. Oh! forgot to mention - had a loaner ('05 G35x) for alsmost a week and a half and let me tell you - that car is something. Don't like the looks but, what neck snapping performance.
PaulO

 

Sounds like you had much better luck than me. I got my car back from the dealer yesterday, for the SECOND time for the same problem (severe clutch chatter), and now my car is WORSE then ever! Last time they replaced the tranny and clutch. This time they pulled the tranny and replaced the pressure plate and the flywheel, claiming that should fix the shuddering problem. Well, now not only is the chattering/shuddering when releasing the clutch still there, it is now worse than ever! When getting going from a stop and easing the clutch out, the clutch chatters so much it makes the whole car shudder and shake. It's really bad. I never had a car with a clutch this bad before, and I've owned 6 manual tranny cars before. None of them shuddered or chattered.

The dealer tells me its normal for this car, and there's nothing more they can do, and I guess they're not too pleased they've had to pull the tranny twice in this car already and its still doing the same thing. I don't know what the hell the deal is, since they replaced EVERYTHING with the clutch and tranny that you could possible replace. Unless I got a defective clutch or the mechanic screwed something up twice.

I'm not sure what I should do with this. My lease is up in 6 weeks anyway. Sometimes I think I should bring it back to the dealer a third time and make a big deal about this and refuse to accept the car back until its right. But sometimes I think why bother with the hassle, and just live with it the next 6 weeks and instead of even thinking of buying the car at the end of the lease, just turn the keys in at the end, and this car is their problem, not mine.

I would have liked to buy this car at the end of my lease because I love the way it drives and looks, but the amount of problems I've had with this car (rattles, oil leaks, radio failure, and now major tranny/clutch problems) at only 19k miles is having me think to run away from this car fast.

What would you do?

 

Just great. I finally find a car that looks great, has enough room, is fast and handles well, and then, naturally, wanting a stick shift, I find out that the darned thing has problems with the transmission. Wonderful. Hey, is the G35 SC 6MT transmission in the '03 the same as was used in the 350Z? If so, wouldn't those guys be having trouble too, and wouldn't the brass at Nissan have issued some sort of TSB or something maybe to Nissan to get some kind of fix for this problem? I've heard of other cars (Ferrari) having troubles going from 1st to 2nd when it was cold (before the lubricant really had a chance to warm up) although not in other gears. If this is something that is fixed by changing transmission lubricant and/or differential fluid, I could live with it, but if it's a specific problem for the MY '03 cars, can someone give me more history on this? Is there anyone who works at a dealership who might have information on any TSBs or inside info on what the problem seems to be, and if there's a fix? If I get a G35, it will be used, and probably out of warranty, so I don't need to pay for a new transmission or clutch related parts. NEW INFO: I found out from a Motor Trend long term review that the Powertrain warranty on the MY '03 cars is 6 years/70,000 miles, whichever comes first, so I might still be okay as far as warranty coverage is concerned, and might not have to pay (too much) out of pocket if something were to happen. But, still, this shouldn't be a problem, it should have a fix. Just wanted to add the Powertrain warranty information to this post.
Thanks!
Tom

 

I would turn in the car in 6 weeks and lease an '05 6mt - you'll still have some clutch chatter, but you get more ponies, a nicer interior, no rattles, and cool rims!!

Whatever you do - don't buy it off your lease!!!!

 

KJTAR,
Please understand that the representation you get on this type of board gives the impression that problems are a lot more widespread than they really are. Not many people write in here to start a thread that reads "just wanted to tell you my clutch never chatters!". There are thousands of these cars out there and I bet they are doing well compared to other makes/models. Also, Infiniti certainly stood behind their product in my case - an '03 I bought used.
PaulO

 

kjtar, most warranties including powertrain do not cover wear and tear items such as the clutch. Even those here with full warranty have faced the 'clutch not covered' issue.
it's the risk you take for the 6 speed since user abuse and wear and tear can effect the clutch.

 

wait, isn't a "tranni" something else?

 

I have a new G35C 6MT with 1000 miles on it. When I de-clutch between 1-2 and 2-3 I get a roaring noise from the transmission (comes through the floor near the pedal box) and a similar vibration through the clutch pedal. I don't hear or feel the same sensation on the higher gears. I also find the transmission is a challenge to shift smoothly in those gears, whether at high or low rpms. I can feel the syncros trying to find their spot. Has anyone experienced these problems on a recent vintage car?

 

I took my '04 G35 sedan 6MT with ~7000 miles in on Friday and just got it back today with a new transmission. As I stated before I was getting grinding going into 5th without letting the engine rev down. Boy what a difference now. I no longer have problems going into other gears either. I was getting that block feeling too, even shifting into 1st, but it's gone now.

 

I believe mine was at 24K...3rd and 5th synchro...they replaced the entire tranny no quesitons asked under warranty...tell your dealer to do the same...this is a well known problem w/ the early model 6MTs (not sure what your year is)...

 

I also have a lot of rattling when in neutral...what causes it? i had my clutch replaced at 8k miles under warranty, maybe something became loose?

stuey

 

Yea what is that rattling from too? especially after driving for a while and the car is hot and pull in the drive way? It sound like the simbals on a drum set hitting each other like hundreds of times mixed with a hiss..real loud...