Technical Gearbox problems?

[DannyEFC]

Hi,

I have a 99' punto, I have had it just over a year - its my first car so am not the best when things go wrong...

Anyway, this morning it was much more of an effort to change gear It was quite cold/frosty so not sure if that was a factor, It was just a lot more stiff to change. its an effort to put it into 4th as it is 1st, almost as if I have to grind the gears a bit to get it in and when I put it into reverse, there was like a sharp loud noise.

Any advice would be massively appreciated.

 

[Mdeko]

Could eb the gearbox oil being to thick/old when its cold. Is it ok after the car has warmed up? (say for 10-20 minutes it should start to get smoother into gear) Could do with a gearbox oil change if this is the case.

Even with fresh gearbox oil, my car is notchier going into gear for the first 10 or so minutes. Its due to the gearbox oil thickening due to the cold temperatures.

Otherwise it will be a clutch issue. Either the plate itself or the hydraulics (or cable, im not sure which one your car will have).

 

[DannyEFC]

Could eb the gearbox oil being to thick/old when its cold. Is it ok after the car has warmed up? (say for 10-20 minutes it should start to get smoother into gear) Could do with a gearbox oil change if this is the case.

Even with fresh gearbox oil, my car is notchier going into gear for the first 10 or so minutes. Its due to the gearbox oil thickening due to the cold temperatures.

Otherwise it will be a clutch issue. Either the plate itself or the hydraulics (or cable, im not sure which one your car will have).

Thanks. I took it to get looked at and was told "99% sure its the clutch" - rather than the gearbox.

Was quoted £165 for a new clutch installed - any good?

 

[seanc5]

Thanks. I took it to get looked at and was told "99% sure its the clutch" - rather than the gearbox.

Was quoted £165 for a new clutch installed - any good?

Mine (sporting) sticks getting into 2nd, but if i leave car for like 2mins running before i pull of its fine. And ive already changed the oil it made no difference.
£165 is a decent price, but id leave it and just wait 2mins before driving it and it'll should be ok.

 

[Mdeko]

Gearbox oil is the cheapest to replace (it also depends what grade of oil you put in as to whther its good on cold mornings or not)

Before you get the clutch changed, change the gear oil especially if it hasnt been done in a while.

I dont see it being likely that it is aclutch problem as it works fine when the engine has warmed up and on warmer days. You'd also normally get crunching into gears as the clutch wouldnt be disengaging properly (i imagine thats what your mechanic is refering to)

 

[DannyEFC]

I will check whether it improves once the engine has warmed up and get back to you all. Thanks.

 

[DannyEFC]

Its the same once the engine has warmed up.

The mechanic said he thinks its the clutch - even despite not having the slighest clue with cars I have a niggling concern it could be the actual gearbox? Aren't puntos well known to have gearbox issues? Opinions would be great lads

 

[DannyEFC]

Gearbox oil is the cheapest to replace (it also depends what grade of oil you put in as to whther its good on cold mornings or not)

Before you get the clutch changed, change the gear oil especially if it hasnt been done in a while.

I wouldn't know how to do that

I dont see it being likely that it is aclutch problem as it works fine when the engine has warmed up and on warmer days. You'd also normally get crunching into gears as the clutch wouldnt be disengaging properly (i imagine thats what your mechanic is refering to)

If it is 'disengaging' (he said something about part of the clutch being not right and not doing in properly?), how safe is the car to drive for a few weeks until I can get a new clutch installed?

 

[puntomadboy]

sounds like the oil is cold and getting thick... don't think it is the clutch or there would be a problem selecting all gears not just 1st....

 

[DannyEFC]

1st gear is the worst, but all are worse than what they were

 

[puntomadboy]

1st gear is the worst, but all are worse than what they were

mmm does sound like the clutch...

Start up engine , LEAVE HANDBRAKE ON, put car in fourth gear, increase the revs a bit ,slowly let clutch out, if it stalls then your clutch plate is probably ok. but if it doesn't stall and you are still stationary then I'd say your clutch is on way out....

 

[DannyEFC]

mmm does sound like the clutch...

Start up engine , LEAVE HANDBRAKE ON, put car in fourth gear, increase the revs a bit ,slowly let clutch out, if it stalls then your clutch plate is probably ok. but if it doesn't stall and you are still stationary then I'd say your clutch is on way out....

Thanks Si. Will do, the help is very much appreciated.

The mechanic said the clutch not disengaging properly, would it be ok to drive for a few weeks until I get a new clutch put in?

 

[puntomadboy]

Thanks Si. Will do, the help is very much appreciated.

The mechanic said the clutch not disengaging properly, would it be ok to drive for a few weeks until I get a new clutch put in?

should be ok for now! but i would be more careful with it till you get a new one...

 

[a1ant]

Thanks Si. Will do, the help is very much appreciated.

The mechanic said the clutch not disengaging properly, would it be ok to drive for a few weeks until I get a new clutch put in?

TBH it depends WHY the clutch isnt disengauging properly. If its a master or slave cylinder problem, it could go pop at any point meaning that you will be stuck without being able to change gear.

Alan