Hi folks, hope you can help. My first post, but been a member for years -I've learnt lots, thanks.

I have what appears to be a major problem with my gearbox - my garage say I need a new one, but I'm not so sure. Can anyone offer advice, please?

The car is a Mk2b, 1.2 Active 8v, 53 Reg (Nov 2003).

These are the symptoms; Gearchange getting a bit crunchy in all gears - only slight. A bit noisy in all gears. First, second and third all seem to work fine.

Fourth is another matter. Once engaged, slight use of accelerator, just to maintain speed, no problem. However, any pressure and car jumps out of gear with a big bang. Let go of throttle and it goes back in. Same thing with fifth.

All help gratefully received!

Thanks again

Is your garage a gearbox specialist? When was the oil last changed, checked?

A specialist could rebuild it.

There are plenty of s/h gear boxes out there. Beware cheap "reconditioned" boxes which will just have been pressure washed. Buy something either from an enthusiast or with a written 90 day guarantee.

Jumping back in again is an unusual symptom for an internal fault. My guess is engine moving on its mountings, or worn gearchange cables.
Hopefully more will post ideas later.

If unsure about cable setting, have a look at this. https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/221121-fiat-punto-2000-gear-linkage-setting.html

my garage say I need a new one

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they is good garage then
lets look through the keyhole at the facts
its noisy
it jumps out of gear
now lets cogitate and peruse the reasons for this


oh yes its probably been run low on oil at some time ,often fast fit clutch places doing clutch changes lose the oil but never retop up
had loads low on oil
mostly another box is only get out
your bearings are gone
diff duff next


cant imagine anyone giving more than 28 days warranty on a s/h gearbox so once one purchased as all good it needs fitting straight away and oil filling up


ok

s and b said:

it jumps out of gear

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And jumps back in again.

now lets cogitate and peruse the reasons for this

s and b said:

oh yes its probably been run low on oil at some time

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He's had it a long time, no signs of leaks.

portland_bill said:

And jumps back in again.

now lets cogitate and peruse the reasons for this




He's had it a long time, no signs of leaks.

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i never said leaks i said probably not topped up after a clutch change with shafts out

with regards going in and out of gear i fail to see how a linkage error would do this i really do

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments so far.

If it helps, I have had the car for 9 years. Unless it was done in its first year of life,before I got it, the clutch has never been changed.

I did wonder if the engine mounts might be the problem, as suggested by Portland Bill. If there's too much movement, would that explain the jumping out of gear followed by re-engaging when I lift the throttle?

Thanks.

The Gear box selector cables and sleeves are mounted to the gear box, in essence you could pull the gearbox completely out of the car leaving the cables connected and it shouldn't effect the gear you have selected.

i don't know how many miles you have on the box but problems with the gears are quite rare which suggests its been pretty mistreated or has at some point been transplanted from an older car

If you check the gearbox oil level, how much does it take?

AndyRKett said:

The Gear box selector cables and sleeves are mounted to the gear box, in essence you could pull the gearbox completely out of the car leaving the cables connected and it shouldn't effect the gear you have selected.

i don't know how many miles you have on the box but problems with the gears are quite rare which suggests its been pretty mistreated or has at some point been transplanted from an older car

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common linkage fault, get someone to sit in car and slowly select each gear, watch the 2 linkages on the box, when they put in each gear observe the movement and by hand try move the arm further by hand if you can move further then is going to be a problem at bottom of gear stick or loose arm on the top of the box, there is one that is held by a 13mm nut these come loose and the slot in the arm wears and so gear selector does not move full travel, pic attached

Hi John 1612.

Many thanks for this information. I have had a look, and I can move the lever exactly as you describe. I'm now waiting for the battery box bolts to enjoy their drink of WD40, so that I can get at the lever properly.

I'll keep you posted.

Twopuntos said:

Hi John 1612.

Many thanks for this information. I have had a look, and I can move the lever exactly as you describe. I'm now waiting for the battery box bolts to enjoy their drink of WD40, so that I can get at the lever properly.

I'll keep you posted.

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They do often seize into place

Daft as it sounds - tap the top of the bolts with a hammer or if you can a punch in the middle to help ""shock"" the bolts free allowing them to be cracked

Ziggy

2 frogs legs deep battered in bats blood cures gearbox whines too
try it
its wonderful
next

no wonder people from the trade keep away from owner forums because they are weeing into the wind

Translation into English? Does this mean that you are disappointed that the problem was as simple as this?

Most of what you said earlier was valid, but not for this vehicle. He has owned it since it was nearly new, never had the gearbox out, no clutch needed, treated with respect, no oil leaks, so the options of lost oil, abuse, etc., were unlikely.

portland_bill said:

Translation into English? Does this mean that you are disappointed that the problem was as simple as this?

Most of what you said earlier was valid, but not for this vehicle. He has owned it since it was nearly new, never had the gearbox out, no clutch needed, treated with respect, no oil leaks, so the options of lost oil, abuse, etc., were unlikely.

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punto gearboxes are made to a very slim margin
ive had them rebuilt since at least 10 years ago
once they sound noisy in intermediary gears they go to china, i wont have them reconned by cowboys swapping bits about
ive taken them apart i even put a utube link up on here for peoples perusal
how can you say a noisy gearbox is ok
are you really with all the young uns i see who really dont understand that things wear out

I'm still waiting for him to check the gearbox oil level..................

This is not a keen DIY mechanic, so he does not have a 12mm hex key. (I do, but I'm 100 miles away) Also did not have a 13mm socket to check if only lever worn, or pin as well. I've sent him shopping today, so we'll hear back this evening when he's grovelled under it in the cold after work. And with the cold this morning, his battery died too. Bicycle anyone?

portland_bill said:

This is not a keen DIY mechanic, so he does not have a 12mm hex key. (I do, but I'm 100 miles away) Also did not have a 13mm socket to check if only lever worn, or pin as well. I've sent him shopping today, so we'll hear back this evening when he's grovelled under it in the cold after work. And with the cold this morning, his battery died too. Bicycle anyone?

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What sort of idiot doesn't have a 12 mm hex key (shuffles through toolbox and doesn't find a 12 mm hex key, thinks to himself what the hell is a hex key anyway, must be one of those ones that normal people don't, shhh don't let them know I'm an idiot too) I mean I have at least 7 spinners and some other stuff in my toolbox (cough ahem)

Hi all,

Thanks again for your comments.

Current state of play; 12mm hex and 13mm socket bought. Still trying to get battery box off, so it's having another soak (stronger stuff than WD40 needed, even with judicious use of hammer). Battery off and charging, just to try to keep me going for now. It will be replaced soon, but one job at a time...

Fingers99, I'll let you know about the oil level as soon as I can!

Cheers for now.