Clutch? Gearbox?

[HustleRussell]

Evening! I'll keep it concise;

2001 Mk4 Golf 1.6 16v manual.

Won't select any forward gears, will select reverse and will drive in reverse. Biting point is very high and the clutch slips. Is this likely to just be a clutch problem or a combination of nasties (bearing in mind mk4 'boxes are known to fail)

It's not my car and this description is second hand.

[Matt UK]

Sounds like clutch I reckon.

[Mikey G]

Will it go into gear with the engine off? If it goes into reverse it should go into any other gear unless there is a major selector problem.

[Krikkit]

Could well be clutch, easy way to test is engine off, engage first, then crank engine on the starter. If it moves the gearbox is definitely good.

[HustleRussell]

Mikey G said:

Will it go into gear with the engine off? If it goes into reverse it should go into any other gear unless there is a major selector problem.

That did just cross my mind, I forgot to ask. One to add to the 'to try' list when I look at the car.

[SV8Predator]

HustleRussell said:

That did just cross my mind, I forgot to ask. One to add to the 'to try' list when I look at the car.

Why would you be looking at the car?

[Mikey G]

If the clutch is dragging you will struggle get reverse but may get forward gears if you push hard enough. Reverse will grind and grind and then clunk into gear.
If clutch is slipping and dragging then there is a serious problem in there.

[Fleckers]

a good clutch test

handbrake on
select 4th
hold revs solid about 2000 rpm
slowly let clutch up, revs should drop and you should feel it pull against hand brake

if revs dont drop its slipping

from what you are saying about cant select any gear except backwards could be gear linkage / selecter at fault

[HustleRussell]

SV8Predator said:

HustleRussell said:

That did just cross my mind, I forgot to ask. One to add to the 'to try' list when I look at the car.

Why would you be looking at the car?

Because it belongs to a good friend of mine and he wants me to help him get rid of it.