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Technical Can't change gears

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Technical Can't change gears

hastingsmum

hastingsmum

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Parked in the garage
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Aug 27, 2013
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Location
Hailsham, East Sussex
Today I was going to have a look at my rear brakes finally as the weather is good and sunny, but driving to my local shop ruined that plan...

When I parked it crunched and wouldn't let me select reverse, all other gears were non selectable (wouldn't go anywhere near iykwim), I turned engine off and then I could select reverse and then 1st no problem.

Then when I left the shop I reversed out and then couldn't select any other gears...:bang:. Again I had to turn the engine off and select 1st then drive home in 1st (feeling stupid I might add here).
Luckily it's not far at all, just round the corner really, because the car carried on forwards when I used the brakes, only slowed down a little, and the same when I got home and parked, because it wanted to carry on it stalled.:cry:

What is wrong with my Multi? there hasn't been any warning signs, in fact gear change on this one is loads better than on my 1.6
 
Im having trouble too i suspect the linkage but u also have juddering and groaning from the clutch so that needs replacing too i think
 
I reckon it's either the clutch release bearing collapsed (any metallic jingling sounds?) or you've sprung a leak in the clutch hydraulics. Can you get someone to see if the clutch release arm moves when you press the clutch pedal?
 
widemouthfrog said:
I reckon it's either the clutch release bearing collapsed (any metallic jingling sounds?) or you've sprung a leak in the clutch hydraulics. Can you get someone to see if the clutch release arm moves when you press the clutch pedal?
Click to expand...

(y) Will do it tomorrow. No, no noises, which in itself is suspicious on a Multipla I reckon :p

If it's the hydraulics, do you mean a knackered pipe somewhere, which can be replaced easier than replacing the clutch???? (insert hopeful jumping up and down emoticon, lol)
 
Could be a knackered pipe, or a seal gone in the master or slave cylinders. Have a look at the fluid level when you check the release arm.

Slave cylinder is a cheap and relatively easy fix. Last time I looked, I think the cylinder is about £25-30 and takes maybe a couple of hours to replace if you haven't done it before. The master cylinder is another story. Unless you're into masochism and an empty wallet, buy a new cylinder, take the retaining clip out of the end of it and pinch its' innards. Do the same for the one on the car (in situ) and fit the new bits in their place. The cylinder is around £40-50 I think.
 
Cheapest master cylinder I could find is £65....if it helps!
How does the retaining clip come out? Ivd but to no avail and didn't want to damage it as it feels plastic!
 
BikeDoc said:
No, that's just a 'get-you-home' measure really, had to do it on one of my old VW Campers when the clutch cable went.
Click to expand...

Yes it seemed a bit dangerous considering it wouldn't stop properly anywhere... Anywhere it won't change up when a gear is selected, could have started it in 2nd I guess, would have been just slighhtly less noisy and embarrassing, lol.


Erm, I had forgot that the jtd is completely different to my old 1.6....can't see anything, off to hunt for some pics.

And how can I check the fluid level when there isn't a reservoir? There is loads of brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir...:confused:
 
widemouthfrog said:
Could be a knackered pipe, or a seal gone in the master or slave cylinders. Have a look at the fluid level when you check the release arm.
Click to expand...

On my 1.6 this would have been an easy thing to check, what a difference, but in the end, with slightly unwilling childrens help, I've found that the arm does move...

But then saying that, the gears engage and disengage right this moment, although they are VERY stiff, maybe I should check again when they stick, which they no doubt will asap if I try to drive it...

On a more positive note, I think I have found where the oil leak is coming from...


What I'm holding onto is very loose, I'm guessing it's not meant to be... also I'm sure there aren'ty meant to be two bolts missing (one you can see missing in the pic).

There is also a very slight leak from the gearbox seal, which I think I had always on my 1.6 so not going to worry about.... but I guess unless I get to the bottom of the clutch issue these other issues are irrelevant...:(

So off out to see if anything changes....(y)
 
I had the same symptoms as you've mentioned! Turns out my clutch had gone. Strangely some of the teeth on the plate had bent the wrong way slightly.

Bearing was worn but not shot and loads of meat on the clutch.

New clutch fixed it! Not cheap at the end of the day but it was worth it!
 
Mmmm. Shouldn't be loose. An oil leak there is common - will be either the crankshaft oil seal that sits behind the DMF, or the gearbox input shaft oil seal. What does the leaked oil smell of - engine oil or gearbox oil?

In the photo, it looks as though there's a gap between the bellhousing and engine. Is that so? If there is, you need to do something pronto, but it would at least explain why you can't change gear. As the two spread, less and less of the slave cylinder movement will go into pushing the clutch plate.
 
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