Technical Crunching 3rd gear.

[Victor Birch]

Hello, my learned friends.

I have a year 2000, Ducato motorhome and it's my pride and joy. Over the last 3 years I've welded everything on the front. Door foot well boxes, sills and chassis. Repaired and refitted the middle section of the flooring and repaired and resealed both back corners and she's spot on without issue.

We've been to France 3 times and this last visit before we went I Made sure the cambelt was sorted and to make sure I paid the garage to replace the clutch as it's on 97000 miles. All ok until we were in Southern France and the gearbox started to crunch only in third gear. Not super bad just the last bit of the gear change. I have got used to it now and as an old coach driver I double declutch and most times it can be avoided. The crunch not the gear. I returned to the UK and sent it to the garage who looked at it to make sure it hadn't started due to the clutch work. It came back with the diagnosis of "it's a common fault and there are no gearbox parts to buy in relation to the synchromesh or replacement gearboxes". He then told me to sell it but I did explain to him that would be difficult with a dodgy gearbox.

So, I'm looking for help. Is there any fixable parts to purchase ie cables, selectors or the like or another gearbox or is it toast?? I really hope not because it's the best van we've ever had in terms of layout and affordability.

Anyway, thank you for reading all this. I did search for gearbox issues so if it's an old topic I'm very sorry.

Thank you all in advance


Victor

 

[bugsymike]

Hello, my learned friends.

I have a year 2000, Ducato motorhome and it's my pride and joy. Over the last 3 years I've welded everything on the front. Door foot well boxes, sills and chassis. Repaired and refitted the middle section of the flooring and repaired and resealed both back corners and she's spot on without issue.

We've been to France 3 times and this last visit before we went I Made sure the cambelt was sorted and to make sure I paid the garage to replace the clutch as it's on 97000 miles. All ok until we were in Southern France and the gearbox started to crunch only in third gear. Not super bad just the last bit of the gear change. I have got used to it now and as an old coach driver I double declutch and most times it can be avoided. The crunch not the gear. I returned to the UK and sent it to the garage who looked at it to make sure it hadn't started due to the clutch work. It came back with the diagnosis of "it's a common fault and there are no gearbox parts to buy in relation to the synchromesh or replacement gearboxes". He then told me to sell it but I did explain to him that would be difficult with a dodgy gearbox.

So, I'm looking for help. Is there any fixable parts to purchase ie cables, selectors or the like or another gearbox or is it toast?? I really hope not because it's the best van we've ever had in terms of layout and affordability.

Anyway, thank you for reading all this. I did search for gearbox issues so if it's an old topic I'm very sorry.

Thank you all in advance


Victor

All I can suggest is checking Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Renault Master of that era as they all had your engine at the time, but as you know it was a day or two ago.
Apart from that there was a guy on Forum a few months ago from Cornwall who offered to rebuild the smaller Fiat gearboxes, he may beable to offer a suggestion or do a rebuild.
@Fortunes Gate
Dave
07931 - 194563

 

[cid]

Hi Victor, Don't despair. My 1996 1.9td is in for gearbox repair. Synchros on 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The work has been done and it's with my garage being refitted as we speak. I'm just waiting a call to collect it. So, contrary to common belief, new parts are available. Lazy garage proprietors prefer to go on their computers and can't be bothered with older vans. If you could get your box to Leeds I'm sure Steve Brear could sort it out. Call him first. I'm sorry I don't have the number but just google him. He does most of the gearbox repairs in the Leeds area. Any numbers from the box would help identify it for parts. Best of Luck, Ian.

 

[Victor Birch]

Hi Victor, Don't despair. My 1996 1.9td is in for gearbox repair. Synchros on 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The work has been done and it's with my garage being refitted as we speak. I'm just waiting a call to collect it. So, contrary to common belief, new parts are available. Lazy garage proprietors prefer to go on their computers and can't be bothered with older vans. If you could get your box to Leeds I'm sure Steve Brear could sort it out. Call him first. I'm sorry I don't have the number but just google him. He does most of the gearbox repairs in the Leeds area. Any numbers from the box would help identify it for parts. Best of Luck, Ian.

Thank you for this information because my father in law has a farm in Ripponden. So could be a good avenue to explore

 

[Victor Birch]

Hi Victor, Don't despair. My 1996 1.9td is in for gearbox repair. Synchros on 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The work has been done and it's with my garage being refitted as we speak. I'm just waiting a call to collect it. So, contrary to common belief, new parts are available. Lazy garage proprietors prefer to go on their computers and can't be bothered with older vans. If you could get your box to Leeds I'm sure Steve Brear could sort it out. Call him first. I'm sorry I don't have the number but just google him. He does most of the gearbox repairs in the Leeds area. Any numbers from the box would help identify it for parts. Best of Luck, Ian.

I have just had a very settling phone call from Steve. He said he can repair the gearbox and at a very reasonable price. At least half I was expecting. I just have to align all the stars and get the go ahead from her indoors. I am so very appreciative for your help and support.

Our little motorhome may be 25 years old but we've had her for nearly 10 years now and it's not that we wouldn't replace her but we haven't found something worth replacing her for in terms of layout/price etc. So we keep her in top condition although I did think I was up a creek with this one. Many thanks once again and another thing is sentimental or not, she's part of the family.

I'll stick my neck out and wish you a very happy Christmas.