Hi All, I'm a first time poster here, having lived with and lover our 2004 Multipla for 2 years. In that time we've clocked a mere 10,000 miles, most of which the gearbox/clutch have exhibited some issues.

The major symptom was a first gear that was difficult to engage, and reverse that scrunched. Back in the days of VW Beetle ownership, it may well have been put down to a synchromesh issue with the gearbox, but the most likely culprit seemed the clutch.

In the past year, we've had two new clutches, a new fly wheel and a hydraulic pump. The last of which was fitted last week. Five days later, the same problem returns. Bizarrely it is very bad when cold and damp, but once warm it smooths out and suddenly all is well.

The worst scenario has been driving along and losing all gears momentarily. However once I was on a long stretch of road, it warmed and worked perfectly again.

I'm at my wits end and my local garage is losing the plot with the car.

Am I missing something here, the entire clutch mechanism has been replaced including flywheel and hydraulics, yet it still goes wrong. Intimating that it is something else. Logic tells me it is not the gearbox, but this seems the next step. Help!:bang:

Not sure what the hydraulic pump has to do with the gearbox issues? Only hydraulic pump on the Multi is the power steering pump.

After 2 new clutches and a new flywheel, it's understandable to rule these out of the equation - this leaves gearbox or master/slave cylinders (Clutch actuating mechanism).
Get the garage to check that the slave cylinder throws the clutch arm far enough to properly disengage the clutch, if it doesn't then the master and slave cylinder need looking at.
Also the gearbox linkage is adjustable, worth a try before trying anything expensive.

I'd also drain the gearbox through a sieve and take a look at what comes out, just in case the gearbox is suspect.

Hi, sorry my description was poor. They have already replaced the slave and master cylinders.

It's back again chez garage having the gearbox drained to see if an oil change will help, then it's heading for a gearbox specialist. I have to see, I can't imagine that it isn't the clutch, but the level of frustration is just getting us down.

Thanks for your help

Before you commit to the specialist, still worth checking that the slave cylinder is throwing the clutch actuating arm far enough - Master/Slave are a ba$tard to bleed properly and it might be this simple.

I remember awhile back watching a program called the Garage where they had a similar problem, although it was on a Porsche. any way the problem was that the clutch fork/arm was worn and therefore not actuating the clutch enough to fully disengage

I bent mine as i was sure it was not getting enough travel even though it measured right, heated bent and put some strengthening welds on the back just in case id weakened it.
Seems to be better.