Is it my clutch, or my gear box?

[Hedders]

Hi all,
I have owned the car a month (2006 1.6 'sport') and a few times during that period I have noticed a little resistance while trying to find a gear, nothing that a little extra force didn't overcome.

But it has got worse and I am now finding that with urban driving (lots of gear changes) it is fine for a while and then I notice a bit of resistance and then it just says 'no'. I have to stop for a minute or two and then all is fine again for a while ..the 'STOP' light flashes when this happens.

The clutch pedal feels fine and depresses all the way in a springs back out, it's just that it won't slot into a gear.

I have no documentation /service history and to be honest, not much mechanical talent but can anyone give me any suggestions?

My next door neighbour is a bit more mechanicy than me ( I am happy to do a full service etc) so will help me if it is something that can be adjusted/topped up etc. Do these cars have any clutch 'juice' , I can't see an obvious place to put some.

[IanL]

Yes, it has clutch "juice" - the reservoir is on the engine compartment bulkhead - a transparent flattish box.

The fact that the STOP warning flashes suggests that the reservoir sensor could be detecting a lack of fluid. If that is the case, after topping up, keep an eye on the level - it may be leaking.

[Hedders]

Thanks for that I did find that reservoir and it seems to have a decent level of 'juice'

I guess the next step is to investigate a sensor.

Cheers

[IanL]

If there is sufficient fluid, the problem must have another cause, but I can't think of anything which would activate the STOP warning. When it happens, is any other warning light illuminated on the instrument console?

[Hedders]

That is the only warning light.

On another forum someone has suggested that It sounds like the synchro hubs are struggling when the gearbox gets hot and that maybe a different oil could help .

Does it sound like there might be some logic there and if so, is there a specific type of oil that these gearboxes like, or that might help?

Or are they barking up the wrong tree?

[Hedders]

So, I went on a 30 mile drive today and had to stop 3 times due to this issue.

Decided to get the car recovered just in case and the mechanic discovered that the clutch slave was leaking and seems to think that would cause the issues I am having.

Fingers crossed!

[Capncol]

If the slave is leaking then the level in the reservoir must be going down. The slave is an easy thing to replace

[Hedders]

I had the slave replaced and all was well after that, until I blew the engine by putting too much bloody oil in it.

The oil indicator light kept coming on so I kept topping up a little bit at a time and then lots of smoke happened..I did try to check the oil levels but the dipstick is quite hard to read so I foolishly trusted the warning light!!

Replacement engine ordered, and lesson learned !

[Hedders]

If there is sufficient fluid, the problem must have another cause, but I can't think of anything which would activate the STOP warning. When it happens, is any other warning light illuminated on the instrument console?

Turns out the stop light was coming in due to the faulty oil sensor. Just a coincidence I think!

[Capncol]

Have you tried draining oil back to correct level before declaring it blown?

[Hedders]

Have you tried draining oil back to correct level before declaring it blown?

Erm no I didn't even think that was a possibility!?

Anyway, I have the car back now with 'new' engine , timing kit, clutch system and bad gaskets replaced.

Hopefully I won't have to put any more money into it any time soon!

[Capncol]

Doh! You may well have spent out unnecessarily. It would have been worth a try.

[Hedders]

What i can tell you is that it certainly felt like something blew. i had huge clouds of smoke and immediate loss of 'go'...I just cruised to a stop and called the breakdown people who did not attempt to do anything with it and just took it to my mechanic.
It was him that confirmed it was buggered, but i suppose he could have been telling me porkies!

[Hedders]

Well, it seems like this car is not done with my wallet just yet.

After changing the clutch slave and the engine , timing belt etc ..now the clutch itself has given out and the car is back at the car hospital for more surgery.

I have never had such bad luck with a car in all my years of buying cheap motors!

Still, in for a penny, in for a pound..no point in giving up now but it has gone from a £500 cracking little deal to a £1300 not so much of a bargain car in a few short months..and it would be a lot worse had i not got a bit of a bargain on the engine exchange (about £500 all in)

I am just counting my blessings that i upgraded my break down cover when i bought the car as i have certainly got my moneys worth out of that

If the gear box fails I am going to be miffed.

[Capncol]

Surely the clutch was checked before putting the engine in??