Volvo popping out of first gear

[13579]

The car I will soon be driving is a 1978 Volvo 245DL 2.1 manual.

Among lots of things that need to be fixed, the only mechanical problem I've found is that compression braking in first gear will usually cause the car to pop into neutral. I've only noticed this when compression braking reaches high RPMs and only in first gear. All the gears work fine (4-speed with overdrive switch).

Just curious as to what might be causing this, and if it's something to be worried about. The car just got a used replacement engine (Head gasket went and fried everything) but I have no idea as to the age of the transmission.

[MediumD]

You might want to not do that anymore...

[Miley Highrus]

Ill tell ya whats fucking causing it that car is 3x as old as my balls.

[The Cheshire Cat]

I would say your first gear is pretty much shot/going to be shot, soon.

[CountBlah]

[reggie_love]

Man, sure hope you're double-clutching.

[ratfrink]

Hmm. Does it immediately pop out of gear, or can you downshift and drive along for a while and then it pops out of gear?

Most likely it is because the synchromesh on the first gear is worn. This isn't really a problem if you can double-clutch.

It could also be the linkage is out of adjustment, especially if you can repeat the problem in a different gear.

I would also top up the gearbox oil, because people tend to forget.

[MediumD]

^^ What he said. But if the only problem you're having is it popping out of gear during engine braking in 1st gear, srsly, just stop doing that...

[reggie_love]

Originally Posted by MediumD

^^ What he said. But if the only problem you're having is it popping out of gear during engine braking in 1st gear, srsly, just stop doing that...

Yup, just do it in 2nd.

[13579]

Engine braking works fine in any other gear. And yeah, I kinda go the idea to stop that shit, it's my dad who drives it and does it.

Fluids are fine, and I'm learning stick with it. One I get it down I'll be double clutching whenever I can, as far as I know it's the original transmission. Thinking of examining the electrical overdrive though, it only seems to engage if you flip it back and forth a lot, or go over a bump in the road.