(G) Gears

Hi all,

I have a Fiat Uno Fire 45 and I'm currently having what seems to be a serious problem.

When the engine is turned off, the gears change nice and smoothly, but when its turned on, first refuses to go in, second puts up quite a fight, third and reverse grind like there's no tomorrow and fourth sometimes grinds but usually no problem.

I'm taking it to a mechanic tomorrow and was just wondering if there are any suggestions as to what it might be so I know if the mechanic is taking me for a ride.

Thanks for your help

Deitel,
Sounds less like the gears and more like a clutch problem.

However, make sure that the gearbox is filled with the correct type of oil - 90-grade gear oil without EP additive. The commonly-available '5-speed transmission oil' will be correct (75W80, etc) if you cannot get the original FIAT ZC90.

A common cause for oil loss is the driveshaft boots - they have to seal onto the driveshaft as it swings around, not the best design ever.

The clutch - make sure that the pedal is about level with the brake pedal. There are exact measurements, but in my experience if the clutch cable is adjusted so that the clutch and brake pedals are in line, that leaves the clutch adjusted about right.

If you have a hydraulic clutch (no cable on top of gearbox) then you have another potential cause of problems. Your mechanic should try bleeding the system, but in all honesty it probably needs a replacement of either the master or the slave cylinder - sorry I can't be any help, you will just have to front up with the cash to replace either part...

One way I can think of to help to narrow it down would be to clean both master cylinder attached to pedal and slave cylinder on gearbox, and dry carefully. Top up the reservoir. Press down the clutch pedal and jam it using a jack handle (or similar) pushed against the driver's seat, sliding the seat forward if necessary. Then leave it overnight, and check the cylinders thoroughly for leaks.

Of course after all this you probably don't have a hydraulic clutch anyway... so let us know how you get on, won't you? ;-)

-Alex

Thanks a lot.

Yeah, i do have a hydrolic clutch.

I took it to the mech and he told me thats its probably the master cylender as there seems to be a leak near the clutch pedal.

Thanks for your help and I'll be sure to keep you posted.

The car goes in tomorrow evening and I should have it back wednesday evening or thursday morning.

Deitel,
good that you've found the problem (well I think you've found it, anyway) and best of luck with the replacement. I've learned something too because I didn't know that the Uno 45 FIRE had a hydraulic clutch, I've only seen Mk1 models.

-Alex

Got the car back today.

Problem all fixed and running smoothly.