(G) Sei Crunching In Reverse & Can't get 1st Gear

Started up the Sei' this morning and put it into reverse, only for it to CRUNCH, badly. I now cant get the damn car into 1st gear either and 2nd gear is a bit of a chore, but it does just go in. I'm having to move off from traffic lights in 2nd gear - which aint too clever! 3rd, 4th and 5th gears are moving as good as they were. Been looking around here for threads and it does seem as though others have had same problem, possibly clutch cable needing adjusting?? Have now booked it into garage (Monday....eeek ). Spoke to Mechanic on phone and described the problem - he says he reckons its the clutch.
Anyone have any further views or thoughts? Much appreciated guys (as usual!)

most likely mal-adjusted clutch.

could be gearbox oil but unlikely or knackered selector parts but also unlikely

cheers mate.

But i've had the car around 18 months now and never had to tinker once with the clutch. So why do you think it might be mal-adjusted? Is it a case of it can just suddenly happen? I had a beamer once before and there was plenty of warning before the clutch went.
thank again

How much would you reckon a garage would tax for sorting a mal-adjusted clutch?
Or if the damn clutch is gone how much damage would this do to my pocket (supplied and fitted by a non-Fiat garage)?

Cheers again

Clutch cable would be my guess too.

They are dead easy to adjust just a nut to tighten, there are threads on this do a quick search could save you a few bob

But............ it can also be sign that the cable is is close to snapping if this has happened over the course of a few days!!

Just read your post again it is unlikly to be the clutch, the cables are a well known problem on centos. by the sounds of it you will find this out one day very soon when you put your foot on the clutch and there will be a bang then the cluch cable stays stuck to floor

The reason the censored clutch just went was that it has a hydraulic clutch -- in effect, hydraulic clutches adjust themselves.

Cinq's and Sei's have a cable actuated clutch in which the adjustment must be done manually.

I'd try adjusting it yourself before you take it to a garage. Peek under the bonnet and you'll see a threaded rod running out on top of the gearbox with the cable running back from it toward the footwell. The big bolt on the end is the adjuster. Give it 4 or 5 turns (as though you were tightening it). That should sort it (or make a significant difference). Fine tune at your leisure.

If the clutch has to be replaced, think in terms of something of the order of 2 or 3 hours labour plus the cost of the clutch (and, people being people, they'll try and stiff you for a new clutch rather than £5 for adjusting it).

it is the clutch cable that pal!! mine did that last week!!! bought new clutch cable!!mi dad fitted it tho so dint cost mi anything!!!!! dunnno how much garages charge tho????

If it is the clutch cable then the actual part only costs about 12 quid off shop4parts and can be fitted in an hour by yourself if you're flexible

thanks to all replies guys. Will have a look under the bonnet tonight before i go to garage on Monday.
Ive a feeling garage are already gonna stiff me for a clutch without question.
Does anyone have any pics of where the actual clutch cable and nut can be found under the hood?

thanks again

I believe its this bit here matey you can see the nut just to the left outside the red circle i drew (evidently i drew it in the wrong bit lol)

mine snapped at the other end of the clutch under or near the dashboard!was a real pain 2 get to aswell!!!

£12 + VAT + delivery.

my dealer only charged 15.49 and had them in stock, so was quicker and easier to go direct

There is a new one on ebay though at 99p lol

Kristian

For Gods sake dont pay garage prices- just tighten that nut shown in pic and you'll be perfect.This is a common Cinq/Sei thing....Its not a bad idea to have the clutch pedal fairly high otherwise you'll have to adjust it every fortnight-strangely as you TIGHTEN the nut the clutch pedal gets higher...Eventually of course either the clutch disc/plate or cable or both will go but with a bit of luck that could be a long way down the road....

I would also second trying to adjust the clutch cable, they stretch over time and thus the pedal sinks to the floor, meaning often the clutch can't disengage properly.

Just tinker with the adjuster nut to the right front of the engine bay, til the pedal rises a bit. This sorted my car when it crunched into reverse.

If it continues, I would investigate potential gearbox selector/clutch problems which speaking for itself would potentially get a lot more expencive.

Good luck with it.