General Stiff Gearbox

[Klyde Klarke]

Hi all, I need some advice...... I have a 57 Bravo (1.4 150 Multijet) and when i first get in it in the morning start her up and try to put her into gear, it won't go. I try any gear and the stick is very stiff and i literally have to force it or let the car warm up for a couple of minutes before it will let me select a gear...

I've spoke to a friend who is a mechanic and he suggested it may be the wrong gearbox oil (too thick consistancy) and it needs warming up to make it soft and therefore allowing for gear changes.... any ideas?????

Thanks very much

 

[sparkieno1]

mine is the same. it feels sticky selecting gears until its heated up then its not to bad but still not great.

 

[Klyde Klarke]

mine is the same. it feels sticky selecting gears until its heated up then its not to bad but still not great.

Yea i didn't know if it was because of the freezing weather?... not sure wether to change the oil or see if it still happens when the weather warms up a bit.

 

[cardinalbiggles]

It's water in the gear linkages, it freezes then thaws in about 10 mins or so once the engine starts to heat up. I had mine fixed under warranty last christmas on my 165. Sometimes its just a little sticky feeling but when it got really cold the car was not going anywhere.

The Fiat dealer in Dundee were arses about it saying that they were going to charge me to look at it (at this point it was 3 months old) and saying that unless it would do it when their "mechanic" was looking at it they couldnt do anything about it. Honestly they are a sorry excuse for an outfit. The woman on reception really did expect me to demonstrate. Go go gadget ability to generate arctic weather on your whim.

Took them 6 weeks to get the parts and that was after a call to Fiat who knew all about the problem and arranged for the garage to fix it.

Apparently a common problem with A3's and Cooper S's as well, I suspect they all use the same gearbox.

So far this year no problems whatsoever.

 

[sparkieno1]

Ok, i might see about getting it sorted over christmas, i use the car every day so it will have to wait.

 

[Klyde Klarke]

It's water in the gear linkages, it freezes then thaws in about 10 mins or so once the engine starts to heat up. I had mine fixed under warranty last christmas on my 165. Sometimes its just a little sticky feeling but when it got really cold the car was not going anywhere.

The Fiat dealer in Dundee were arses about it saying that they were going to charge me to look at it (at this point it was 3 months old) and saying that unless it would do it when their "mechanic" was looking at it they couldnt do anything about it. Honestly they are a sorry excuse for an outfit. The woman on reception really did expect me to demonstrate. Go go gadget ability to generate arctic weather on your whim.

Took them 6 weeks to get the parts and that was after a call to Fiat who knew all about the problem and arranged for the garage to fix it.

Apparently a common problem with A3's and Cooper S's as well, I suspect they all use the same gearbox.

So far this year no problems whatsoever.

Thanks for your info on this... interesting stuff. I aswell use the car everyday so will need to look at this problem when i have some spare time.

At least it's not a problem that could damage something else on the car..... I hope!

Thanks

 

[cardinalbiggles]

Thanks for your info on this... interesting stuff. I aswell use the car everyday so will need to look at this problem when i have some spare time.

At least it's not a problem that could damage something else on the car..... I hope!

Thanks

Mine was fine for the 2 months that it had the problem until it was fixed. Just took a little longer some mornings to be able to drive it off. Just remember not to leave it in gear then at least you dont have to sit with your foot on the clutch while it defrosts!

 

[GraemeB]

Thanks for the water in the linkage post - now I can go back to the dealer and ask them to fix it under warranty.