Technical 1st Gear Grinding

[Yarde]

Punto: 51Reg Poverty Spec

Right, whenever you pull away (in 1st obviously), give it a burst of power and put the clutch in the gearbox produces some sort of grinding, mechanical whiring down noise. Slip the car out of first and the noise disappears. It only does this in 1st. no other gears. My dad thinks it happens when you accelarate as well, i'm not so sure it does, but that's besides the point

Anyone experienced this before or have any idea what it could be? And more importantly...how much is it going to cost to get sorted?

Cheers Guys,

Yarde

 

[red]

Just to partially eliminate the clutch, is there any noise when idling with clutch out or idling with clutch in?

Also, if it is making the noise when accelerating, is that also just in first gear?

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[Yarde]

Nope, no noise when idling with the clutch in/out.

Like i say, I don't think it makes a noise when accelerating, but it deffinately doesn't in 2nd or higher

 

[red]

So, that's pointing to 1st synchro, baulk ring or some nearby bearing or other part in the gearbox. Fix is probably going to be a replacement box from scrapyard as repairs can be quite expensive (specialist job). Can only suggest ringing round local breakers (if you will be doing the job yourself).

Check out my guide on renewing clutch (gearbox removal is 9/10ths of clutch renewal procedure).

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-guides/140010-how-fit-new-clutch-mk2b.html

If you go for it, consider new clutch as well while you've got access.

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[Yarde]

Cheers, I don't know if I'd be doing it myself, I'm a 17y/o computer geek, and me dad's a butcher, so the likelyhood of us being able to do it is slim!

How will i know when it needs replaced? Will it just not select first at all? How much (ish) am I looking for for a replacement box?

 

[red]

It's hard to say how the fault will develop. In some instances you could just carry on and it wouldn't get any worse. More likely is that it will get worse though. If it's very localised, e.g. one or two broken teeth, progressive damage may well result, as you suggest, in not being able to engage 1st gear. However, if it's something bigger breaking, it could go all of a sudden and cause enough internal damage to make several or all gears useless. That may be a risk you consider taking if you just potter around town and could get a tow home if necessary. If you can't take that risk, you will unfortunately need to get it looked at. Perhaps you can find an independent mechanic who would fit a box from a breakers. I can't advise costs, I have never had to pay someone for such a job.

As this kind of fault is difficult to diagnose remotely, perhaps as a first step you could get an opinion from a mechanic or other experienced drivers to understand how bad it is at present.

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[Yarde]

text.

Firstly, thanks for all your help, i appreciate it!

My dad's got a good friend who knows car stuff, and my uncle is a mechanic, so i could ask them what they think and then proceed from there i suppose

Cheers

 

[red]

Sounds like a plan. What you really need is a mechanic who needs his computer looking at!

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[Yarde]

Sounds like a plan. What you really need is a mechanic who needs his computer looking at!

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Indeed! Would it be unfair to sabotage someone's PC?

 

[Eklipze3k]

In the meantime, do what you can to avoid using 1st gear ie. when pointing downhill, let gravity do it's thing to get you started and go straight for 2nd. I do this in mine as my box crunches when changing from 1st to 2nd sometimes.

 

[DaveMcT]

This is the sort of damage you can easily get when the gears have been abused by not replacing a failing clutch.

If it is the gearbox you need to get a new (used) gearbox. But, if the clutch pedal doesn't feel smooth all the way down then it could be failing to release properly and you only need a new clutch.

No noise from the clutch does not necessarily mean its a good clutch.

 

[red]

As I implied, no noise only partially eliminates the clutch. However, OP suggests fault confined to 1st gear so pointing more to prob with the box of cogs. Either way, clutch or gears, the box has to come off, and while it's off it would be prudent to renew clutch parts anyway.

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