gearbox problems on an S1 - help a novice

[chrisviles]

Has anybody had exerience of gearbox problems on an S1?

I have a F plate S1 in (up to now) good working order. Unfortunately I know s** all about the internals of them.

The problem is when I try and change gear - I can't get it out of gear even when I press the clutch fully. Initially it only did this when the engine had warmed up (running beautifully for the fist 5-10 mins) and then getting progressivley worse as the engine heated up. Now it does it as soon as I start up. If I start it in neutral I can't get in in gear. If I start it in gear but with my foot on the clutch it starts up but and I can get it to drive as soon as I lift my foot of the clutch. But then I can't get it out of gear again without stopping the engine.

This is not a problem thatr has developed over time. Basically ran it all last year without a problem. Took it out for the last run of the summer and the problem just came on. Attempted to run it the day after and had serious trouble getting it in gear. I have not run it since.

I have read the S series hand book by Steve Heath. The symptons are similar to those described in the book and refer to a problem with the slave cylinder and actuator rod.

Has anyone else has a similar problems? If so was it costly?

Also has anybody got the name of a decent TVR knowledgeable mechanic in the Leeds/Wakefield area?

Cheers

[Psychobert]

Not sure about Leeds, but happily suggest Joospeed in Chesterfield or RTRacing in Sheffield.

Sounding to me like clutch failure, end result needing a tow to a garage unless you can do the work yourself.. Thing that confuses me is the progressive failure when engine was warming, but I've not had this problem myself so not sure..

I'll be in Leeds tomorrow afternoon sometime, heading back to Sheffield.. Can offer you a tow if thats any help. Mail me off line if thats any good to you..

[chrisviles]

Thanks for the offer of the tow. Work commitments force me to decline but cheers anyway.

Will give RT a call.

Thanks once again.

[Psychobert]

chrisviles said: Thanks for the offer of the tow. Work commitments force me to decline but cheers anyway.

Will give RT a call.

Thanks once again.

No worries.. Have one of the firm's tin tops tomorrow; ordinarily would be in the S so not so easy to tow..

[Colin BlueS2]

Sounds to me like a failure in the clutch hydraulics. As to why it should get worse as the engine warms up I can only tink that the gearbox is warming up too and warming up the slave cylinder and that is somehow making the seals inside more flexible and allowing fluid passed them.

I replaced clutch and master seals earlier this year on my F reg (2.9) so email me if you want to do it yourself and need some help. The job is fairly straight-forward. One thing I would say is be careful disconnecting the pipe between the master and slave cylinders. The union sizes used are v. unusual and not easy to find replacements for if you bugger it up. I finally found one at Automec (they had a listing for TVR!).

Good luck

Colin

[tav]

Would agree with the comment that the hydraulic line is difficult to replace. After spending a lot of time trying to find the right unions etc I found that Tower View keep the 'made up pipes' in stock. This will save you a lot of time if you come to need one.