difficulty to engage reverse

[mannik]

Have difficulty engaging reverse in my S3C (even when warm).
Always try to put into second gear first and then reverse, but this is not solving the problem.
Is this a common problem? Car has done approx 75K miles
What could be the problem?

[tvrgit]

Does it go in ok when the engine is off?

If so then it sounds like the clutch is dragging. Maybe just needs the fluid topped up, or bleeding? If the clutch is still dragging after that then possibly the clutch plate is sticking on the splines, or you have broken fingers on the clutch itself. Both of thse are engine out jobs.

It might be something simpler though - maybe the centre console has moved very slighty to prevent the gear lever moving far enough? Reverse on mine only just goes in before the lever hits the edge of the hole in the console.

[jimed]

I agree with the wisdom above - but whilst I understood that you need to take the engine out to change the clutch there is a post on the club website that says you can move the prop shaft back and then get the g'box off with the engine in the car. The person posting says he tried this on his S3 with the body off but with a dummy prop shaft cover on to ensure everything was disconnected and it was possible to get the g'box out. Any views on this as it would make life easier for us if it was OK.
Jim

[QuiteQuietCerb]

jimed said:

I agree with the wisdom above - but whilst I understood that you need to take the engine out to change the clutch there is a post on the club website that says you can move the prop shaft back and then get the g'box off with the engine in the car.
Jim

[Tigerfred]

I have had my S3 now for over two years. Everything was fine at first, but as the weather got hotter, i noticed it was getting harder to get into reverse. I was having a service at a TVR specialist and asked to check over my clutch, I was considering having a new clutch fitted on my service, but I was put off by the cost. Anyway way when I went to pick the car up I was told my clutch was fine no problems. But in warm weather I still had problems, it got so bad that when I went anywhere especially to my local TVR meet, I used to turn the engine off put in reverse and start the car up. I did for months, then I read a thread on PH, about putting the gear lever into first, then into reverse no problems, for over 18 months. I was also told to make sure the gearbox is filled with the correct oil. Cheers Fred