Diagnosing synchro problem

[Vyse]

Ever since I bought my Honda Civic I been having minor problems with the gearbox. Its not undrivable but could be better. When going from 1st into 2nd I get a slight crunch occasionally. 2nd to 3rd can be smooth other times a bit notchy (characteristic of the car). 3rd to 4th is butter smooth 90% of the time, sometimes it feels rough. 4th to 5th feels rough as does 5th to 6th. Crunching only ever occurs when entering 2nd gear and from what Ive noticed only when up shifting.

Sometimes when I am stopped at the lights and try to enter 1st gear I cant as it feels like something is obstructing the gear stick. Happens probably once a week. Also happens with reverse gear also when stationary, the blocking issue that is. It can also feel rough and quite notchy when entering 1st and reverse when at a stand still.

Am not sure what direction to take at the minute. Cracking open a gearbox is expensive but on the other hand I could change the clutch and see if that helps. I would rather it be a disengagement issue than needing to replace synchros. Can stuff such as bent fingers, knackered press plate, dogy release bearing cause my symptoms?

I'd be grateful for some input thanks.

[andyiley]

Breaking this down into 3 paragraphs, here is my 2p.

If you have a synchro issue it is not an intermittent problem, it is a mechanical issue & is either there or not.

the other 2 issues/paragraphs you add sound pretty normal to me for ANY CAR/GEARBOX.

[Pumaracing]

It's vanishingly unlikely you have synchro issues on multiple gears. Far more likely to be clutch not disengaging fully or maybe a gear linkage alignment problem. It will however turn into very expensive synchro problems if it's allowed to continue like that.

[Steve_D]

As said far more likely to be clutch drag.
I would start by bleeding the clutch or taking out any free play if it is cable operated.

If it is drag select first and see where the clutch engages...I'm betting you will move off almost without lifting the pedal.

Steve

[Vyse]

I recently had the clutch fluid changed and engine mount inserts fitted but they didn't help. Biting point is about a 3rd of the way upon from the floor. Grinding only happens in 2nd gear, what could the reason be for this? Is it because it experiences the biggest jump in torque?

[andyiley]

In that case, I would check the clutch has been bled properly, especially if this has started since, a spongey clutch could do exactly that as above.

[Vyse]

My symptoms were the same even before the clutch bleed. I had the clutch bled to see if the problem would improve but unfortunately it didn't.