Hi everyone,

The issue encountered is with a Punto Mk2 188 1.2 8v 2001 model with manual transmission, specifically with the gear knob and gear changes after heavy use in heavy traffic/long journeys.

When cold/switched off, gear shifts are satisfactory and notchy. However during heavy traffic, city driving and long journeys requiring significant amount of gear changes and heavy clutch use, the gear lever becomes sticky/stiff with very vague gear selects. The issued is worsened when using the AC and driving in very hot weather. After switching off and cooling down, the issue is resolved and gear changes become notchy and defined again.

Has anyone encountered this problem? What are your thoughts for solving it?

Thanks!

dominator said:

Hi everyone,

The issue encountered is with a Punto Mk2 188 1.2 8v 2001 model with manual transmission, specifically with the gear knob and gear changes after heavy use in heavy traffic/long journeys.

When cold/switched off, gear shifts are satisfactory and notchy. However during heavy traffic, city driving and long journeys requiring significant amount of gear changes and heavy clutch use, the gear lever becomes sticky/stiff with very vague gear selects. The issued is worsened when using the AC and driving in very hot weather. After switching off and cooling down, the issue is resolved and gear changes become notchy and defined again.

Has anyone encountered this problem? What are your thoughts for solving it?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Looking down from the rear and side of the battery you can see the two gear change cables. Oil these and see if this causes the gear lever to be become looser


The notchy defined changes are created by a ball bearing fitting into a groove. I am supposing with the gear cable too stiff you cannot notice the ball bearing moving into the groove.

With the AC on the engine works harder and presumably that affects the gear cable.

The gearbox under the battery has to have oil in it. Unless you have oil leaks it should last a very very long time. The filler plug hole is also the level for the oil. You need a 13mm hex key to remove that. It is between the battery and the engine at the front of the gear box about half way down the gear box.