Horrible things happening when trying to pull away in first!

Post by **MrDenis** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:07

Hi - fairly new to driving manual buses and not very mech/tech savvy so please be gentle.

Bought my bus a few weeks ago - not had any major outings in it yet but have had a couple of excursions around town. At least once on each occasion I've had real difficulty after pulling up at lights getting the bus to pull away in first - it just shudders and stalls!

Takes a couple of tries to get it going and it's a real struggle - once I get into 2nd it's fine and the problem doesn't repeat for another 1/2 hour or so!

After one such episode today which took 4 or 5 attempts, at a junction on the South Circular making me very popular, there was also a bit of a burning whiff!

Any ideas on what the problem might be and how to fix it?

Cheers

D

Post by **MikeB** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:21

I find that 1st and 3rd are rather interchangeable in my van. I have to be careful to make sure its actually gone into first rather than third, could be the same for you perhaps.

Mike.

Post by **MrDenis** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:30

Before I bought the bus I as told it had a new gearlinkage bush? fitted to make sure the gears weren't too dificult to find - and theres a definite 6" difference of position in relation to the dash between 1st and 3rd so I'd be surprised. I'll try pulling off in 3rd tomorrow and see if it's the same feel!

Post by **Ivorblueun** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:35

do you have a 4 or 5 speed box ?

Post by **MrDenis** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:48

AFAIK it's 4 forward and 1 reverse

Post by **ermie571** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:53

just a thought...try engaging 2nd then straight upto first....

just a trick I learned off here when I was pulling off in third....and stalling!

Hope that is all it is.

Emma

Post by **MrDenis** » 02 Jul 2006, 21:59

Cheers - will try that!

Post by **Don-Tucker** » 03 Jul 2006, 06:20

Hi D Hi ( couldn't resist that one sorry)
Maybe the clutch breaking up,that would account for the burning smell.
Don

Post by **pictonroad** » 03 Jul 2006, 09:13

Mine does the same, lots of shuddering, I'm assuming it's the clutch plate passing away.....

Post by **MrDenis** » 03 Jul 2006, 09:31

pictonroad wrote:Mine does the same, lots of shuddering, I'm assuming it's the clutch plate passing away.....

Does it happen all the time or just on the odd occasion?

Not knowing much about motors I can't understand why it's fine one minute then shuddering the next!

Post by **T'Onion** » 03 Jul 2006, 09:49

'88 'E' reg/1600/Manual/Petrol/RHD

is it Aircooled or should that read 1.9 ?

anyway more importantly are you sure it isnt a 5 speed box ?
could be that the linkages need setting up / serviceing

Post by **MrDenis** » 03 Jul 2006, 12:21

T'Onion wrote:
'88 'E' reg/1600/Manual/Petrol/RHD

is it Aircooled or should that read 1.9 ?

anyway more importantly are you sure it isnt a 5 speed box ?
could be that the linkages need setting up / serviceing

I was told it's a 1600 engine - it's not the original - I've just been out and wiggled the gearstick and I'm fairly sure it's only 4 speed

Post by **T'Onion** » 03 Jul 2006, 12:57

if its a five speed then first is doglegged below reverse.

as for your injin is it watercooled and petrol ?

if so have a look in the flap at the back, below the black plastic coolin tower will be stamped a code , you may have to wipe away some crud but it will be there

Post by **Dan Wood** » 03 Jul 2006, 17:29

If my van has been stood for a few days it judders when pulling away off the drive and the first few junctions. Sorts itself out after 5 mins or so.

I could worry about what causes it, but now I just make sure I don't leave it too long before going for a drive!

Post by **Flibbertigibbet** » 03 Jul 2006, 18:11

Dan........It is your van telling you to use it every day at least twice