Hi everyone.

I have just got a v reg 2000 899cc 3door as a runabout. Body, interior and engine wise it is immaculate. Every thing is OK until I change to 5th gear, I then get an immediate whine that gets louder as speed increases. It is loud enough to make driving uncomfortable. I have also noticed a strange [not right] sound coming from the left side of the engine when accelerating in second gear. Not being a mechanic, but I would say it is gearbox. If anyone could throw light on this I would be very grateful. If it is the gbox the garage will change it under warranty
One more request, where can I get a car manual ? I cannot see a Haynes that does the seicento, it only covers the cinquecento 899 engine, would this be ok.

Check the gearbox oil level immediately. On the front face of the gearbox there's a plug which takes a 12mm allen key. Buy a litre of gearbox oil, park the car on level ground, undo the plug, poke the flexi end of the oil container through the hole and squeeze until oil just starts dribbleng out. Replace plug.

Chances are that a big puddle of oil will start forming where the oil has drained out again through the inner CV joint gaitor. But we live in hope.

Yep, the noise sounds like gearbox on its way out. If the garage can find a good replacement, fine. But many have met their early death through leaking seals. Weekly gearbox oil level checks are a good idea on 899s.

The Sei Technical Manual (the factory manual) is free in the downloads section. It covers the 899. But the Porter and Haynes Cinq manuals are also fine for the engine and gearbox -- in fact, for most stuff, and are far more weildy.

Thanks Fingers99

Just the info I needed. As a matter of interest if a replacement gearbox is fitted would the cv seals /boots be automatically replaced as well?

I had the same problem and even after changing the gaitors and filling the box with new oil it was still noisy, not as bad but still an annoyance.

Ended up changing the complete gearbox and like fingers said check the oil and gaitors fairly often.

Overall it's a bit of a rubbish design.

The gaitors are cheap and will need replacing when you change the gearbox, the oils seals are on the drive shafts and are also worth changing as the seals can weep causing oil loss.

Just as lazybones says.

Garage confirmed iffy gearbox today and will fit a replacement.

Is it possible to remove the rocker cover without removing carb, the rocker cover gasket is shot and leaking like a good un. It looks a very tight fit.

josalsam said:

Is it possible to remove the rocker cover without removing carb, the rocker cover gasket is shot and leaking like a good un. It looks a very tight fit.

Click to expand...

It is if they/you are prepared to cut an allen key down to get to the bolts under the throttle body.

It is easy to remove the throttle body, so why bother trying to do it without.

Cheers

D

I replaced the rocker cover on my 899 without removing anything or using any special tools. It is very fiddly though and takes longer than you'd expect it to but isn't difficult. Don't overtighten when you put it back.

Ian.