Hard to select any gear at first

[Plezier]

The 75th has this issue that it baulks on selcting 1st or any gear really when first started. I am rather hopig it's a lack of use issue but this is the first time that i ahve come across this issue. once runnign and a gear selected the box works fine no nasty noises. Have to admit that we have not checked the oil level as yet and that is on the to do list. I have a litre of the correct oil the problem is gettign her level to check it.

The clutch release arm was seized but is not free and the clutch operates smoothly and lightly I swapped out the slave cylinder and she has new fluid in the system. It's just shut her down and restart and we have this baulkign at going in problem

[talkingcars]

With the level of work you are doing I would have thought a complete oil change wouldn't be excesive.

And I bet when you drain the treacle out it will only be half the volume it should be.

[Plezier]

Firstly let's check the level of the oil and check for leaks. As I had to rebuild the gear shift mechanism to get rid of the dreaful porridge stirring sensation when gear changing I did wonder if the cable adjustment was really poor however it goes into reverse well.


Was just wondering if this baukling was a sign of other problems????

[RobboMC]

I would drain the existing oil into a CLEAN dish. Why waste good new oil topping up if what's in there now is treacle?

If what comes out is good, re use it and fill, otherwise chuck it and fill with new.

Always remember that when you run the engine to ''warm it up' from a cold start you are still left with cold gearbox oil.
A few of my previous cars did not like cold gearbox oil.

[Plezier]

Well it's Monday Morn here, 10:19 actually, so have to sort out collection from the garage. Looks like we may have to take out an insurance policy for her the idea was to swap "Blue's" over once she is sold but as we need to be to take people out on test drives ....................................................... Will phone the broker and see what they can do. Best have quoted £111 on thier club Abingdon Policy. Also checked out soem short term policies but it's just daft what they are asking £80 for 7 days cover or £31 for a days cover....................... Otherwise it's wait until the chap up the road is free to collect her.

As I have not obviously driven her on the road properly I simply don't know who good the change is once warmed up only having been moving her on our property and of course it's raining today ..................... very wet outside. OK the garden needs it but I don't as I cannot work under her in the wet and mud that comes up through the stone and shingle on the drive .

Edit:- Have just priced up 5 ltr of MTF 94 oil as bearign in mind the bodges and lack of care in the past on her am now wonderign if she has the correct oil in her box???? .

[Rob Bell]

More likely the oil has never been touched... or even checked!!! As James says, you might find that there is next to no oil in there at all!

The other issue is adjustment of the gear selector cables, and the condition of the gear change mechanism itself - but I think you've looked at the latter already haven't you?

[stevolew]

Had a similar problem on a different car many years ago that turned out to be a build up of dust,bit of rust and general crap on the splines where the friction plate moves, if the car was started in gear when cold it was all good as once warm there were no problems.

[Plezier]

More likely the oil has never been touched... or even checked!!! As James says, you might find that there is next to no oil in there at all!

The other issue is adjustment of the gear selector cables, and the condition of the gear change mechanism itself - but I think you've looked at the latter already haven't you?

Yes Rob have rebuilt the gear stick mechanism and had to adjust the cables and fit one new rubber boot. The odd thing is that reverse is almost easy to engage. Now I drove her home first time on the road from the garage and the gear change is sort of freeing up. She has not exactly done a lot of miles at 65,500 so will have to get her up as level as I can and undo the level plug and see what the oil level is. I think I will order 5l of MTF 94 and do a change for peace of mind. Will keep you all informed on what I find.