Punto (Mk2/2b) Gearbox problems scraping reverse

[wazamanboss]

Hi there I have just bought my 1st car a black MK2 2001 Punto 8v.....The car was fine but the other day when driving my dad broke the gear knob. It looks like it's snapped off but can pop back in with a bit of force. Now it gets stuck and struggles a bit to get into 1st and 2nd gear! The main problem is getting into reverse it makes a horrible scraping/screeching noise trying to do this and eventually after a few minutes it gets into reverse. Also the car when driving makes a weird whistling noise and rumbles and rattles never heard a car like this!!

I hope I don't have to replace the gearbox...any ideas as to what this is?

Would be very grateful as not driven for 8 months since I passed and trying to get my driving confidence back this feels like another setback.Cheers amigos

 

[jon1612]

classic fault - clutch not clearing properly, there may be adustment available on clutch cable, the problem is the clutch is not fully disconnecting, when you try to put in reverse crunches and screetches - reverse has no synco ( its a bit technical but if you want explantion search how do syncros work on google ) clutch problems usualy show up when selecting reverse or first gear , crunching, judderering etc, there are no bearings on the reverse idler or shaft as it is used so little, unlikely to be gearbox fault if it drives ok when moving

 

[jon1612]

forgot to mention - easy way to veryify fault - if hard to get into reverse - turn off engine - select reverse - start engine with clutch pressed and handbrake on - keep clutch pressed fully ( on flat ground) release hand brake and car will move backwards (clutch drag) either needs adjusting or replacing

 

[oldhammer]

Try having the clutch bled.

Take gear knob off and slap some hareldite in there stick it back on leave over night to set.
Get your dad to fix gear knob he broke it lol,.

Gear box might be reaching end of days.. check box as got oil in..

 

[jon1612]

Gear box might be reaching end of days.. check box as got oil in..

if its not noisy when driving should be fine, my punto had 130k on it when i got it, ran it for 2 years rumbled in first gear realy bad (bearings) but did another 20k when i traded it in for my grand vitara, assume it was scrapped after that. knew box was passed its sell by date but having worked at gearbox reconditioners for 6 years i knew was just a bearing noise and nothing serious.

 

[oldhammer]

Molyslip is good for these Ayetalian chocolate gearboxe's

 

[wazamanboss]

Thank you so much for your help I know very little about car maintenance but am keen to get stuck in, been panicking a lot with the expensive thoughts of replacing a box. Anyway i'll have a look into and taking it to a mechanic friend tomorrow, will keep posted so can help others. Cheers

 

[wazamanboss]

Turns out it is the clutch thanks again for your help Jon and Old Hammer, took it to a friend 150 to fix and he'll sort my gearknob out....winning

 

[s and b]

Turns out it is the clutch thanks again for your help Jon and Old Hammer, took it to a friend 150 to fix and he'll sort my gearknob out....winning

hi wazamanboss whatever you do dont buy a clutch from unknown sources i know where these are made now and they arent any good,theres lots of complaints in the trade about these chocolate clutch plates
get mate to fit a luk clutch they are only £45 ish for these 8 valve puntos and come judder free too if fitted carefully

 

[jon1612]

fit a luk clutch they are only £45 ish for these 8 valve puntos and come judder free too if fitted carefully

after working for 6 years at a gearbox recon place I have fitted hundreds of clutches and can honestly say the only ones that actualy work in fiats are the LUK ones in the yellow box, all the cheap ones drag and judder. I allways remember one customer brough his own " relined clutch" for me to fit, couldnt get any gears after that, took it out he brought a "cheap" clutch, that just crunched and first and reverse, took it out, fitted a LUK one, perfect, we supplied the £60 LUK one. plus he was charged £50 for each fitting (£210 in total) should have paid for LUK in first place would have been £110 - cheap clutches false economy

 

[oldhammer]

ive seen centres smash out on cheap clutches.
also seen afew Fake valeo plates floating around.

 

[jon1612]

ive seen centres smash out on cheap clutches.
also seen afew Fake valeo plates floating around.

never been impressed with the thickness and snatch springs on valeo one's, 25% were loose in holder, not good when you fitting to a taxi