My Girlfriend drives a Stilo 1.6 Dynamic. I borrowed it the other day and found the gears feel quote stiff to shove in.
Any tips on what could cause this? Is something on the way out, or is that just what the Stilo gearbox is like?

Ben B said:

My Girlfriend drives a Stilo 1.6 Dynamic. I borrowed it the other day and found the gears feel quote stiff to shove in.
Any tips on what could cause this? Is something on the way out, or is that just what the Stilo gearbox is like?

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the gear box is quite notchy anyway, but without us driving it, we cant tell, does it crunch into gear at all, also, when moved out of gear does return to centre by itself?

No, it doesn't crunch, just feels like you have to give it a shove past a notch to get it to go in. Plus it centres fine.
Maybe it's current notchiness is just how it is.

If it did end up getting harder and harder to go in, would it mean the clutch is going, or the gearbox itself has a problem?

Couldnt complain about the box on my old 1.6 it was a smooth as can be so your could be in need of a refurb..

Ben B said:

No, it doesn't crunch, just feels like you have to give it a shove past a notch to get it to go in. Plus it centres fine.
Maybe it's current notchiness is just how it is.

If it did end up getting harder and harder to go in, would it mean the clutch is going, or the gearbox itself has a problem?

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could be a selector issue? if it started to crunch, then that would be a sychro problem, the clutch going shouldnt make the gears stiff, maybe it needs some oil.

it is very hard to diagnose without being able to drive the car though

when my synchro went, it started to crunch then wouldnt stay in gear, but the stilos box can be quite nothcy with not enough oil, sounds like either the selector or synchro dying though

Two easy ways to improve smooth gear selection are:

1) Lubricate the ball joint linkages at the ends of the selector cables (above the gearbox and below the gear stick)

2) Lubricate the slave cylinder piston actuator. See this link

https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-guides/86395-bleeding-1-6-clutch-slave-cylinder.html

for a diagram. The lubricant goes under the rubber cover on the end of the cylinder (just below the number '2' in the diagram).

Worked a treat on my 1.6.

Air in the clutch hydraulics could be another reason or something as simple as too much carpet under the clutch pedal. Have extra foot mats been fitted possibly?

Always go for the simple (cheap) things first !!!

Dave.

High,

Have you checked the gearbox oil level? If its low it will cause a notchy gear change.

Alan

a1ant said:

High,

Have you checked the gearbox oil level? If its low it will cause a notchy gear change.

Alan

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i thought that

Check through the service history and see if the gearbox oil has ever been drained/changed out, did this on the 'box on my JTD. Local dealer had said it was done last time I had it serviced by them..... cough.... dinnae think so Nice flush out and fresh oil in and change is sweet as you'd like - but then again just about every manual 'box I've driven in something Fiat group has been notchy after a few k miles, part of the charm you might say

Also worth checking when the brake/clutch fluid was last changed:idea: