Technical Issues with second gear

[ben]

In the last couple of days, I've been having issues getting into second gear (mk3 2.3)

Every other gear is totally fine, but when trying to get into 2, it just gets stuck in "neutral" and won't go down any further. If I then stop the van, and put in it first, then hard in second and repeat a few times - this seems to clear the "blockage" - but it will start to get worse again later on.

As a lot of people on here will know, I'm pretty useless with mechanics - so is this a job for a garage to look at, or something I can try and remedy myself?

 

[ben]

Happened again today .... no one has any ideas?

 

[x Alex x]

does it crunch?

could be a syncro problem, which normally means its easier to replace the box

 

[dave]

does it go in if you double clutch?

 

[ben]

No crunch. It's as if the gear wasn't there.

Then it starts working, and it's as normal...?!

@dave - Double clutch?

 

[dave]

put cluch down move stick to N then lift off and put in down again before putting it into 2nd

has box got oil in?

 

[ben]

Will give it a go tomorrow if it does it again.

No idea about the oil, I assume so - but I'll check with Kev.

 

[x Alex x]

was gunna say it could be a linkage issue but i'd have though it would do that all of the time, could be low/old oil.

 

[ben]

Is the oil easy to check?

 

[dave]

yes

 

[ben]

Is there like a gearbox dipstick or something?

 

[dave]

no

 

[x Alex x]

Is there like a gearbox dipstick or something?

should be, the newer the van the more awkward they seem to make things, ive got an old ducato camper and theres a dip stick on top of the gearbox towards the back. if there is one it should be easy enough to see and get too, some newer vehicles don't even have dipsticks and it's a dealer job to do it

 

[ben]

Looks like there isn't on the MKIII (https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/62598-checking-gearbox-oil.html?p=733669)

I guess I'll have to take it to Quickfit or something then, no way to jack it up here, I'm on a steep hill!

 

[dave]

jack it up

 

[ben]

He says it wasn't checked - doh!

Seems kinda complicated - I'll take it to a garage methinks, unless anyone in South London want's to help out ....

 

[ben]

Thinking about it though, it only started after I fitted the lift up spring. I wonder if the reverse stopper is catching somehow... :chin:

 

[dave]

He says it wasn't checked - doh!

Seems kinda complicated - I'll take it to a garage methinks, unless anyone in South London want's to help out ....

you undo the filler plug, squirt in new oil till it comes out, then its full, put plug back in job done

 

[ben]

So not replace the oil already in there?

 

[dave]

is there any in there?