Technical Multipla gearbox clutch problem

[Hilz77]

UHi guys I own a 2003 multipla (bug eye) and having hell with the gear change! All was fine (well I say fine 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th been a bit crunchy for a few 100 mile but normally ok) anyway went to start yesterday and she was awful to get ANY gear to engage especially 1 st and reverse,1st won't find at all reverse needs an arm like Popeye and the correct revs! Today I tried some WD on the release arm thing as it was worse today than yesterday, this has made no difference and there is a clicking sound when clutch engaged without engine running,this sounds like it's coming from the gearbox if I pump clutch a few times I can find the gears however after a few seconds of driving I lose them all again? The clutch has pressure and feels 'right' and we bled it yeasterday with no air released however the fluid was a horrible black colour!!!!
Really hoping it's something simple to replace and not a gearbox jobbbie or even a dual mass!!
I'm completely new to fiat so really stumped and need a car car as live in the sticks!!
Hope some1 here can help? Ta in advance guys......
__________________

 

[Sinny]

First, bleed the clutch, then post back. If you're "pumping it up" - you're 99.99% getting (or have got) air in it somewhere.

 

[Hilz77]

Ok chap ta for that,it's getting dark now and I'm on a country road so will do 2moro,just went to morrisons 10 mile round trip and although a bit 'crunchy' is finding all gears ok,went inside shop for 30 mins came out and once again found all gears ok,we then drove home and the minute I pulled up outside applied handbrake and car was in neutral I tried to engage gears while car stationary but with engine ticking over and bloody thing won't find ANY gear????? If I'm really aggressive I can force it into 2nd but 1st and reverse are not happening? We have bled the clutch twice now with no joy,1st time we got a large airlock out,2nd time nothing except a horrible colour fluid! Maybe air is getting in somehow?? Il try again in after work 2moro as it ain't doing the box any good me crunching through the gears it's almost intermittent??? Does this sound like contaminated fluid or air??

 

[glowplug]

Search through my posts, I did a long write up on the whole clutch bleeding thing.

 

[peterw7]

I am having a similar problem. It is impossible to get into gear whilst the car is running. Turning off the car it is easy to select any gear. I am currently in france and my mechanic has given me two prices. One for the gear box 680 euros and one for if the "engine wheel"needs doing.
Now I am no mechanic- but I am an enthusiastic learner! I am guessing that the engine wheel refers to the fly wheel- which is the Dual mass flywheel that everyone talks about- would this be correct?
Based on the symptoms does anyone have any idea whether the DMF would need doing. Is there any simple test or inspection that I can perform?
I havent tried bleeding anything yet ( i think my wallet may at some stage)
Thanks in advance for any advice

cheers

 

[Sinny]

Bleed it first. They are the proverbial cu.. custard tart.

Buy half a litre of fluid, carefully unclip the hose at the slave cylinder end and move the hose out about 5mm and fluid should start seeping out. The way I've found works best by trial and error is to push the slave cylinder in once, then stick my thumb on the bleed nipple and let it return - that just about makes sure theres no air in the slave.
(Be warned that it's not good to do that too much because they have been known to roll the seals when the seals are old - if that happens you're in the cack, so make a judgement on that before doing it)
Then, just leave the thing to dribble for half an our, topping it up as needed.
DONT touch the pedal - I don't know why but on mine that has always a) given more problems with air in the system and b) doesn't seem necessary.
Experience suggests that bleeding works best if the nose of the motor is headed uphill when you bleed.

In short - patience is a virtue when bleeding them.

It's not a great system, and I've suffered all these problems for most of the 18 months I've run my Doblo - but I've done a mod on mine that I'm testing at the moment. If it stays good for another couple of weeks testing I'll post about it.

 

[Sinny]

Re the DMF - if that goes, you will know all about it. It's a red herring until you've got the basics sorted. Don't worry about it at this stage.

 

[MarkX]

Hi Hilz77,

The following may be of use/interest. When I eventually took everything apart I found that the clutch release bearing had disintegrated. The clutch plate was also worn out. The DMF was OK, but I replaced it anyway. Any idea how old your clutch is?

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/327242-fiat-multipla-jtd-unable-gear-change.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/335610-fiat-multipla-clutch-broken.html

Here's the clutch replacement saga, if you've really bored:

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/345166-multipla-jtd-1-9-clutch-replacement-progress.html

Good luck,

MarkX
Multipla 1.9 JTD '01 reg.

 

[MarkX]

Incidently, I put in the new clutch 18 months ago, and touch wood the clutch/transmission has been fine ever since, like a new car.