Getting into gear problems

[purplespot]

Hi Please can someone offer some advice about our T25 1.9 petrol, i've read through some of the posts but can't find what we need.
We got our van about 2 months ago & gear change seemed fine but recently it has become difficult to get into gear especially when cold.
Every now & again it crunches in 3rd & can be quite difficult to get into 2nd. Hubby has bled the clutch but doesn't seem to make much difference.
Could this be the slave cylinder or clutch on its way out or could it be something more simple like the bushes in the gear linkage.
Any advice would be great, thanks in advance
Lana

[croc]

Hi
Do you have a 4 or a 5 speed gearbox? This would help when the engine type has also been given.
These are things I've found with my 5 speed.
These gearboxes need a fairly gentle change, don't try to force it through quickly. 3 finger changes have been recommended with short pause in neutral!
The first change, 1 to 2, on a cold gearbox in the morning can be the worst. If 5 speed try starting in second if a flat start or first then third, gently.
There are a couple of bushes that the gearchange rod slides in under the van, they are a plastic and can be lubricated with ,eg, a Teflon spray.
Gearbox oil. 75W90 GL4/GL5 semi synthetic does help changes as has been recommended here.
If changing the oil yourself make sure you remove the FILLER bung before draining. These can be very tight.
The above is assuming:
1. the gearbox is in reasonable mechanical condition.
2. the clutch operates correctly. Push clutch in and try reverse, there should be no or little crunching.

Aidan will probably comment re the 3rd gear crunch and maybe more!
Cheers

[purplespot]

Thank you for advice, it is really appreciated.
We have a 4 speed gearbox with a 1.9dg engine. Hubby has been doing what you recommended today & its been much better although
the gear change does still feel a bit gnarly. Is the oil you recommended okay for our 4 speed box? Or was that just for the 5 speed.
When we first got it, it was okay to start & then put into gear but now it seems reluctant to go into gear, either forward or reverse, with the engine running from stone cold.
We will try the things you've suggested over the weekend & hopefully all will be well, but its been a lot better today by doing the things you've suggested.
Thanks again its much appreciated.
Lana

[Sagemagoo]

I was experiencing the same, again possibly because it was getting colder. I changed the gearbox oil, old oil was manky and frothy. Now it's a lot easier to get into 1st/reverse. Something I picked up early on was to move the gearstick against the gate THEN press down, THEN move it over into gear - pressing down and moving it over at the same time was hit and miss. Don't know if that's standard or just my box...

[purplespot]

Thanks, i think hubby (paul) was a bit worried when we got van as he is using it as his main car for work. Like i said it was fine for first couple of weeks after we got it & my brother (who has van) said they don't always like the cold, but his is a bit newer (& tidier) than ours, been a lot better looked after. Although paul moans a bit i think he is really enjoying having a van where he can tinkle about & we seem to have packages arriving almost daily with different parts he's planning to replace. It's having all the right size tools as well isn't it, (least i'll know what to get him for christmas) hopefully if he does the oil this weekend it will be better. I'll pass on other info to him when he gets in. Thanks again its reassuring to hear someone else had something similar & it wasn't a new gearbox needed etc.
takecare Lana

[croc]

Lana & co!
Do persevere, these are excellent vans but they are old and need a bit of cosseting!
Your comment re 'At first it was OK then ... ' This could just be due to change in weather and temp.
Don't expect modern saloon type gear changes.
Re oil for 4 speed: I suggest you PM Aidan but from his previous comments the 4 and 5 are virtually the same gearboxes so same should apply.
Be sure its GL4/GL5 grade oil though.
Sagemagoo's comments re when to press down for reverse are worth taking on board too.
All the best, take care.
jon

[soulsoulsista]

Wow guys, that may shed some light! I hope so cos am fearing the worst.

I have a four speed gearbox, petrol engine, 2 litres. My gears, 1st & 2nd mainly have been terrible for two days now, but even on a warm engine? It actually got stuck in neutral when i tried to change down to go round a corner, then wouldn't go into first without a major fight.

When you say push against the gate to reverse, do you mean just nudge it back towards you a bit before you do the press down for reverse?

Looks like my fella is getting under with some gear box oil this weekend!

I do love my camper but she sure is naughty!

Best Wishes to all

Sarah

[CovKid]

The problem is, a lot of these gearboxes have already exceeded their natural life which is why Aidan is so busy. Certainly changing the oil and checking or even replacing some linkages is a good place to start. This side of things is too often neglected and I've lost count of the many problems that were solved by a little maintenance. By the way, Wilkinsons do the gearbox oil in 1 litre bottles at a more acceptable cost. Under £3 a litre last time I looked. Besides, we're trying to mystify their head office as to who is buying it all. Corkyboy and I once cleared the shelves in both Manchester and Ashton

[purplespot]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the tips, today van has been fine, hubby is now taking more care he's not known for his finesse
We are wondering if when he first drove it he was going more steady because he was getting use to driving a new type of
vehicle & now he's more use to it, is driving like a bull at a gate! Anyway he's taking more care now & is learning how to drive
properly again.
Thanks Jon for advice especially re oil, & we've noted sagemagoos advice, looks like Sarah & me will both be garage widows for the weekend
Wilkinsons in Trowbridge may get a visit, they will think the craze is spreading south
Thanks again everyone
Lana & co (he's got to learn to type )

[croc]

About the technique for moving into reverse gear.
I need to move the gear lever across and back through neutral to the reverse side, THEN push down against the spring and up into reverse.
This action is needed even if going from first to reverse - this is the 5 speed GB where first and reverse are on the same plane. ie far left.
This will not be a cure is the linkage has worn or is out of adjustment.
Hope this helps those are having difficulty.

[Sagemagoo]

I hear you croc - when I come out of 1st I have to move it right across the neutral range then back again to go into second.

I prefer to think of it as individual characteristics instead of faults.....