Reluctant Gear change

Post by **Ollyboy** » 04 Jun 2006, 18:28

Hi!

On the way back from the lake district this morning going both into and out-of
gear became very difficult, especially top (4th) gear. When going into gear the change was "graunchy", as if the clutch was not disengaging properly. There is plenty of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir behind the dash and the last owner has replaced has the clutch slave (I think!) cylinder seals.

The gearshift is good when the van is cold, but gets progressively worse as it gets hot. Today the shift was the worst it has ever been and I honestly thought at one point I might have to phone the AA as I couldn't get out of fourth. I have had the van for four weeks and it has had only one previous careful owner from new, with 64K on the clock so I would be surprised if the gearbox was knacked..........famous last words!

Any advice etc, would be gratefully recieved.

Cheers

Ol

Post by **stuckin88** » 04 Jun 2006, 18:45

Try pumping clutch pedal a few times before changing gear--if it changes ok--either yer hydraulics need bleeding--or clutch slave cylinder is u/s----first check yer fluid level--master cylinder--1 for both brakes & clutch is under yer speedo binnacle cover--

Post by **stuckin88** » 04 Jun 2006, 18:49

-sorry didnt read yer post proper--but try what I said---jus hope it aint yer gearbox--they genrally fail cos a syncro ring break & jambs the works---

Post by **stuckin88** » 04 Jun 2006, 19:03

--'nother thought--check yer gearbox oil level---level plug inaccessable behind where gear linkage enters gearbox--17mm hex key required--

Post by **Ollyboy** » 04 Jun 2006, 19:18

Cheers for that stuckin88.

Funnily enough, pumping the clutch pedal did help a bit. I cant remember for sure what the last owner replaced but I think it was the slave cylinder. I do hope its just needing bled. Nice and cheap!

Ol

Post by **hanloncole** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:31

Welcome ollyboy i'm in Peebles, will look out for your van, sounds like a hydraulic problem then, try bleeding the system first see if that helps
Simon

Post by **Ollyboy** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:42

Hi Simon,

Look out for a shiny white van with a brown (Autosleeper) stripe!

Thanks for the advice. I am going to try bleeding the fluid as the initial strategy.....

Out of interest were do you get your van fixed in the borders?

Cheers!

Ol

Post by **hanloncole** » 04 Jun 2006, 21:53

I have only taken it into the garage once in 4 years as i do most of the work myself, if you can make it to Shotts (not in Borders) Ian and Russell at Syncro Nuts could help you. I haven't found any reliable garages in Peebles they have let me down in the past with other cars. Jack Walker VW Specialist near the Gyle is very good.
My van is a LHD TD high top ruby red body white roof with South African double light grill you won't miss it
Simon

Post by **toomanytoys** » 05 Jun 2006, 08:10

Hi
Odd one this.. but could posibly be the spigot bearing in the end of the crank tightening up on the input shaft to the box.. Has it has a different box/engine put in it? if the input shaft had to be shorten'd, they might not have took quite enough off.. so as it gets hot, it wxpands and touhes on the end of the crank.. then you cant change gear without crunching..
Something to consider if the bleeding etc doesnt work!

Post by **Ollyboy** » 05 Jun 2006, 12:22

The van is how it left the factory, including the original clutch! I'm going to get the fluid bled and see how it goes.

I had a brief spin in the van when cold this morning and the problem is still evident, but to a lesser extent, so it's not as temperature related as I initally thought.

Thanks for the advice guys. Will keep you posted!

Ol

Post by **Ollyboy** » 09 Jun 2006, 12:03

I have had the car in the garage to get the clutch bled and, fingers crossed, it has solved the problem - after a 20 mile journey no problem changing gear.

Thanks a lot people!

However, the gearbox required a pint and a half of oil to get back up to the sump plug. How dodgy is that for the 'box?

Cheers

Ol

Post by **HarryMann** » 09 Jun 2006, 12:12

Think the true box oil level is a just abit below the filler plug, supposed to be that way on syncros anyway.. so maybe not as bad as it seemed, but leave it now - check the drive-flange seals for leaks though at intervals with higher oil level.

Clutch - if the prevowner did the slave seals and not a new slave cylinder, poss is it might pack up again sometime - so at that point consider a new slave - Slave VW Part No. 251 721 263 (GSF will find their equivalent)

Also, see Wiki on clutch not disengaging so you can bleed again yourself... http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... isengaging

Post by **Ollyboy** » 09 Jun 2006, 12:25

Cool, thanks for that.

I saw ermies thread after I posted myown and did wonder at the time if it was the same problem, which it was. I would have bled the clutch but didn't have the time or the bleeding kit.....next time though!

Post by **HarryMann** » 09 Jun 2006, 12:56

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