Technical Sei Reverse Problems....

[Cento186]

Hi, at the moment I seem to be having problems getting reverse gear, sometimes it crunches and sometimes it slots in perfectly.

I've recently had a new clutch and gearbox oil. I have adjusted the clutch so I can now select first without it being stiff and notchy but I still get random occasions where I cant get reverse no matter how many times I try, it just crunches...

Anybody know what might be causing this?

Thanks,

Ben

 

[sei16v]

Hi, at the moment I seem to be having problems getting reverse gear, sometimes it crunches and sometimes it slots in perfectly.

I've recently had a new clutch and gearbox oil. I have adjusted the clutch so I can now select first without it being stiff and notchy but I still get random occasions where I cant get reverse no matter how many times I try, it just crunches...

Anybody know what might be causing this?

Thanks,

Ben

Would have said clutch, next would have been adjustment, 3rd syncro... Is it the correct oil grade? Does it do it from both hot & cold?

 

[Cento186]

It almost always does it when hot but still occasionally if its cold. Sometimes if I park up and come back to its about 10 minutes later its ok again, can reverse out of parking space etc.

The other day I put it in first and jolted the car forward a meter or so then it slotted into reverse perfectly.. however I cant get it to do that again, probably a coincidence...

 

[Ouby]

....I've recently had a new clutch and gearbox oil. I have adjusted the clutch so I can now select first without it being stiff and notchy ....

Re-adjust the clutch AS PER the manual, then re-check it after everything has had time to bed in.
There's a manual you can download on this site.

 

[Cento186]

Thanks Ouby, I've just downloaded the manual, shall give it a go tomorrow if its actually light.....

 

[Ouby]

To save you going through the entire manual (it's a right pain in the ar*e

to negotiate)....
Push the clutch pedal right down & measure the distance from the floor to the pedal, when the pedal is released it should be 120mm (+/-5mm) higher than when it was fully down.

 

[Cento186]

Cheers! :worship:

Glad to know its not just me finding this manual impossible to negotiate

I hope its just that the clutch needs adjusting or may be something more sinister (expensive)......

 

[fingers99]

I think it will just be clutch adjustment.

Remember that reverse has no syncromesh. so you have to be slow............

 

[Cento186]

I'm always very slow with it now, that way I can feel it either slot in or start to grind, saves me from mashing the gear ..... not the best thing to do in a busy car park...

 

[fingers99]

Not that slow. Neutral, 1, 2, 3, reverse should do it.

 

[Pep0]

Hi

Think that is normal, mine is difficult, if you are starting from cold the increased engine speed (at tick over) will baulk reverse selection, park overnight for a forward drive out.

Counting 1,2,3 slowly (as above) is all you can do normally when it should select, some of the time, without a 'crunch', dont bip the throttle before you do this, it needs to be done from a slow tick over.

Or start in reverse with hand brake and foot brake applied and clutch depressed.

I'd take time with 1st and 2nd selection as well, and the box needs the full synthetic, or rather mine does...

Noel

 

[Cento186]

Well I've adjusted the clutch this morning, the biting point is now a little higher and the clutch pedal sits at almost exactly the same height as the brake pedal. It also has around 120mm of travel.

I will have to wait until Christmas day until I find out if it has worked as I will being having a longer drive to go and visit the relatives.

This has made me notice how despite the revs being fine it is very lumpy at idle and it rattles like a tractor but anything above about 1000rpm its perfectly smooth....

There's also a very slight hissing noise coming from the left side of the engine, cant pin point where exactly its coming from... might be the expansion bottle cap?

 

[Stuey3D]

Hissing noise may be alternator, if you give it tons of revs and it gets louder then its the alternator mine is doing it at the moment.

 

[fingers99]

Or timing belt tensioner.

 

[Cento186]

Well the good news is the clutch is now totally fine!

I will have a look at the alternator, how will I know if its the timing belt tensioner (sorry I'm new to this).

Ben

 

[Pep0]

Hi

Stethoscope the alternator and tension-er, wait until the warm weather if you don't have a warm lock up. Find a real engineering shop to recon alternator, or do a WTB in (this) site(s) shop, (and sell on your alternator). If you remove the top belt cover, (easy) and the non tooth side of the belt is scuffed, you may need to address immediately.

Both the alt and belt tensioner should last to spring otherwise.

You need to remove the front wheel, inner arch, and (you need to) read the guide on alternator replacement, once you have the inner arch off, replace the tensioner, belt and water pump, anyway, as they don't cost a lot, don't use a pump with a plastic impeller..., there are three pump impellers, cast OEM, plastic OEM and 3rd party machined, plastic has an additional fail mechanism...

Noel

 

[Cento186]

Thanks for the detailed reply, I will take a look if I get a chance when it isn't raining...

Ben