Hi all, have been to look at a 60 plate 2.3 ducato with 82000 on the clock and have been told they have problems with gearbox. When viewing the vehicle the man selling told me it crunchs sometimes when changing into 5th gear but never slips out of gear. Can any1 tell me if this is easily sorted or is it gona cause me problems 5/10000 miles down the road. Would be greatful for any help, cheers

If the clutch is operating properly then the likelihood is that the gearbox will need a rebuild or replacement. I've heard that the gearboxes are a known weakness.

Ffoxy said:

If the clutch is operating properly then the likelihood is that the gearbox will need a rebuild or replacement. I've heard that the gearboxes are a known weakness.

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I've read bout lack of oil getting to the 5th gear causing it to do this and that if you over fill with oil can stop the problem. Do you know anything bout this? When I took it for a drive it seemed to drive fine and didn't hear any crunching at all.

It can be hard to overfill a gearbox but anyway I'd never condone it.
The lubricant volumes are calculated not plucked out of thin air.
I know 2 people who have these vans and both have had failed gearboxes at less than 60k miles despite regular servicing. I blame the "sealed for life" culture personally, I'm still in favour of replacing gearbox oil as it works hard especially in a commercial vehicle.

mine doesnt go into 5th gear without a slight noise only on the up change though with mine its because the cables have stretched because of changing without a clutch pedal last time the clutch went last oil sample showed no excessive metal in oil its just clicked over 572000kms in 3 years 3 months and still going strong cheers adam

Might be totally wrong here so pls don't shout if I am lol,
But isn't the known 5th gear issue, one from pre 2006 older vans? Where the 5th gear was like an add on to an older 4spd lump!? And that had starvation issues. May be wrong there

My two x250's that I've had, first one a 2.3 did way over 250000 miles no issues, I did change oil each year in the 3 years I Owned it, 1 clutch @ 170000.
That was mainly in town courier deliveries too.
Current 2012 3.0 180 done 142000 no issues, oil changed @ 90000

If they are hammered, the cables stretch, clutches go, and will in turn damage the box, they're built for load not speed, I know it can be an unknown quantity when buying second hand. Suggest fiat oils change in box asap and see how she goes

The gearbox in my X250 is about the only thing that never caused problems.
And I didn't always shift gear with care. I'm used driving automatic gearboxes for over 20 years, the 1th day of each trip in the van is a bit difficult.

Ha, I'm the same jumping back in my Audi A3 Quattro, first junction I go for clutch and nearly launch myself through screen

rolopolo said:

Might be totally wrong here so pls don't shout if I am lol,
But isn't the known 5th gear issue, one from pre 2006 older vans? Where the 5th gear was like an add on to an older 4spd lump!? And that had starvation issues. May be wrong there


If they are hammered, the cables stretch, clutches go, and will in turn damage the box, they're built for load not speed, I know it can be an unknown quantity when buying second hand. Suggest fiat oils change in box asap and see how she goes

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the oil circulation issue WAS on older vehicles

as you say a fluid change can't do any harm , and is relatively cheap + quick too

charlie