Technical Test driven a TD125 Weekend - Gearbox Question

[Minime]

Ive just been to test drive a 1997 Marea Weekend TD125. Its done 90k, has a folder full of old MOT's and service receipts and looked like a very nice car for £995.

The only thing that stopped me buying it there and then was a slight issue with the gear selection. The gear lever did not self-centre as it should, so if you pushed it to the left (ie between 1st and 2nd) or to the right (between 5th and reverse), it would not spring back to the central resting position between 3rd and 4th.

I also noticed that when accelerating, when changing from 2nd to 3rd, I almost put it back into 1st(!) because precise gear-selection was difficult without the self-centering action.

Changing from 2nd to 3rd often caused a slight "snitching" noise (ie not a full on crunch, but a slight and momentary noise) as it went into 3rd. This did not happen coming down the gears from 4th to 3rd. When in gear it was fine and all other gear changes seemed particularly smooth and fluent (compared with my mums 1.2 Punto).

Any ideas on the possible cause and potential severity of this? Should I walk away?



p.s.
Are the 2.5TD 125's a bit "laggy"? On the test drive I was in 3rd going up a hill at about 2,500rpm and when I applied 2/3 throttle, it felt a lot less potent than I expected, and picked up speed very slowly. However, it did feel rapid when using plenty of revs and you could definately feel the turbo at 3,000+rpm or when setting off from stand-still. Does the turbo only kick in at around 3,000rpm?

Many thanks in advance. I will become a regular here if I end up buying a Weekend!

Neil

 

[Ozric-Al]

Ahhh. that takes me back. Used to own 127s back in the day and the gearbox was a case of "Is it in gear or not".

Sounds like the gear linkages could do with replacing and that might solve the play.

As for the acceleration it's probably a duff MAF sensor. Most are getting replaced on the JTDs these days. About £50 iirc.

Then it's off for an Angel Tune methinks.

 

[Minime]

Blimey! Thank for the quick response!

Basically, my budget for a new car is £1500. This comes in at £995ono, so I have a bit of money left over to replace one or two bits, but not a whole gearbox Im afraid.

Any idea how much it costs to have the gear linkages replaced? Is the car worth a haggle if that is the problem?

 

[Ozric-Al]

Sorry chap. No idea on costs. Others on here will know though but they may take a bit longer to respond. Try on BOO as there are a lot of JTD owners on there: -

http://www.fiatboo.co.uk/

 

[alfanige]

The 125TD Its the old tractor lump engine, not a JTD so you are stuck with it as it is.

However if you want the car £800 seems a reasonable price and for a car that costs that much, I would suffer the gearchange until it goes cacrump then ditch the bitch. Cheap motirng until it does though.

No wonder I havent had a response to my email to Ozric, he was on here!

 

[FiatExpert]

The problem With the gear linkage will more that likely be the metal gear linkage on top of the gear box. This has a pivot point on it which tend to cease up. it will need taking off and freeing off. Make a big diffference to gear selection.

 

[Minime]

However if you want the car £800 seems a reasonable price and for a car that costs that much, I would suffer the gearchange until it goes cacrump then ditch the bitch. Cheap motirng until it does though....

He's got it up at £995ono, so Im not sure he'd take £800 for it. Its worth a try I suppose!

It's a shame, because of all the different types of car I'd short-listed as possible purchases, the Marea TD125 is my favourite. Just one niggle has me doubting whether to buy it or not. (its quite a lot of money to me if it turns out to be a lemon! ) Or it could be a bit of a bargain.:bang:

The problem With the gear linkage will more that likely be the metal gear linkage on top of the gear box. This has a pivot point on it which tend to cease up. it will need taking off and freeing off. Make a big diffference to gear selection.

Is this DIY-able by a relatively mechanically-inexperienced person (me)? How many spanners rating would Haynes manual give for this job? Or have you any idea of what a garage might charge (ball park figure)?

Thanks.

 

[Minime]

Do you guys reckon its worth taking a chance and offering him £850, hoping that its not a major fault with the gearbox?

 

[RS Pilot]

I'd start off at £750 and work from there. It's a buyers market out there so you hold all the cards.

Freeing off the linkage shouldn't be too hard to do. 2 spanners at most. I remember having an Uno 60S with the worst gear change ever (even by 127 standards). I'd bought it off an Auntie and have no idea how she got away with it. The linkages (Ball joints I think) on that were seized up and it made a huge difference when everything was able to move properly again after a little wet and dry and some grease.