Gears Problem

[klinion]

Hi,
I'm in the Ardeche in France and my 1990, 1.6, diesel, 5 gears has developed a fault while changing. A few hundred miles ago it refused to come out of fourth then suddenly, with sudden clunk it came out and everthing has been fine for the rest of the holiday. Today, after travelling mountains in hot conditions it suddenly did it again but refused to come out of fourth. Stopped for 15 mins or so and it really smelt hot but refused to budge. Eventually I pulled away in fourth and again, with complaining clunk, it came out. Not too happy though when changing but near a campsite so have stopped the night. Will see what happens tomorrow so hope it works for another few hundred miles. Any ideas please before I succomb to a french garage. Not too keen on getting under myself as I've reached 70+ years and it hurts a bit now. Might be a bit replying as Wi-Fi isn't always available,
Thanks,
Ken

[Aidan]

Ken it sounds like either a linkage issue or a broken 4th5th synchrohub, the later is a common fault eventually you won't be able to get 4th or 5th or it will jam in gear and won't come out (like you have been experiencing)
possibly it's a selector fork bearing issue, but again that's inside the box and not readily fixable

[klinion]

Thanks Aidan,
Decided to head for home (other reasons as well) and miss out using 4th gear as you reckon it will eventually give up. Not so bad just using motorways,
Ken