1.6TD Westy - Can only select gears when engine is off!

[Thirstyman]

Just pulling away from home when I couldn't get 2nd gear, or any other gears for that matter. I'd put her into 1st while the preheat was on without trouble. With the engine running there's plenty enough clutch to engage/disengage a gear that's been selected before I turn the engine on but subsequent gears will not pop in. There is a light grinding if I force the stick a little in this state. I have to wait a few seconds after the engine is turned off before the gears are selectable again but once they do, they slip in like a bolt action rifle thereafter.

I checked the hydraulic fluid which was fine, so I'm now wondering if my weekend is going to be spent lying under my bus in a puddle grazing my knuckles!!!
I've had no tell tale warning signs leading up to this problem and there was no noise or increased difficulty finding the gears but I did give her a good old thrash up & down the M27 today at a staggering 70MPH (4000RPM in 5th) for 2 hours to clean the fuel system with STP additive.

Related? I doubt it, and this sort of problem tends to happen progressively in my experience (which ain't that much!)
Suggested things to check would be very welcome please?

[ghost123uk]

First thing to do is get someone to operate the clutch and look at the slave cylinders rod to see if it moving and connected to the clutch operating mechanism on the bell housing. (assuming Diesel slave cylinders are fairly accessible like WBX ones are (fairly ) If the bellhousing clutch release arm is moving correctly, then the fault is likely to be the clutch itself. (gearbox off, but not as big a job as it sounds)

Let us know...

[California Dreamin]

Good advice ^^^^ add a possible collasped spigot shaft bearing to the list of potential culprits (the bearing that supports the input shaft, positioned in the end of the crankshaft and under a tenner to buy) requires gearbox removal to replace.

Martin

[Ian Hulley]

add a possible collasped spigot shaft bearing to the list of possible culprits (the bearing that supports the input shaft, positioned in the end of the crankshaft and under a tenner to buy) requires gearbox removal.

Aye ^^ been there, done that.

Ian