Lost 5th Gear

[chris063]

Hi Guys,

Well as the title says my baby has decieded that she doesnt need 5th gear anymore!! All the others are fine but when you put her into 5th the engine just rev's, there is no noise or anything, it just doesn't engage!! Have any of you guys come across this before?? And is she safe to drive or is it straight to the garage time? I only say this as im a week into my leave and go abroad again in 2 weeks time and there is no chance of getting her into a garage in that time!


Cheers fella's

Chris

[dean_ratpac]

Hi Chris, not good news -
I've had this, from memory - although mine went with a large crunch. it's gearbox out job, either get it rebuilt or new one.
its a week point on the gearbox -engaging 5th to get into reverse. wears the linkage.

>> Edited by dean_ratpac on Wednesday 21st December 09:46

[chris063]

Cheers for the quick reply mate!! Yeah figured it would be a gear box out job!! Am just hoping that because its not making any nasty crunching noises that it's nothing too serious, maybe just a linkage or a pin!!!

[dean_ratpac]

Could well be just a linkage, seems strange that it just ‘disappeared’. Hope it’s not expensive. Do you have warranty?

[c3ber]

Chris, bad luck on the gear box front. Mines going in for a new starter motor today but at least I have been able to drive it. I will ask my indie what he thinks your problem could be.

[c3ber]

Chris, bad luck on the gear box front. Mines going in for a new starter motor today but at least I have been able to drive it. I will ask my indie what he thinks your problem could be.

[cerbhead]

chris063 said:

Hi Guys, Well as the title says my baby has decieded that she doesnt need 5th gear anymore!! All the others are fine but when you put her into 5th the engine just rev's, there is no noise or anything, it just doesn't engage!! Have any of you guys come across this before?? And is she safe to drive or is it straight to the garage time? I only say this as im a week into my leave and go abroad again in 2 weeks time and there is no chance of getting her into a garage in that time! Cheers fella's Chris

Hard luck!! Had this problem, and was told it is a known BW design issue that does't just affect TVRs - a circlip comes off a shaft in gearbox allowing 5th gear cog to slide about. Definitely don't drive. I got mine fixed under warranty, but it is a gearbox out job. Problem never reappeared, and no probs on my new Cerb.

[Extra 300 Driver]

I understand there is an upgrade to sort this out. The gearbox is a T5 Borg Warner and could be rebuilt by a number of people, so not a specialist unit. There are sometimes new units on ebay.

Look at 4 hours to do a box change.

[robscim]

Cerbhead is right - its a circlip on the 5th gear which comes off and the gear heads off down the shaft. It is drivable but I was warned against it by Paul at Austec as you may be lucky but on the other hand the gear may slide off the end and bang!! If that happens, you'd probably need a new box as it wouldn't be easily re-connable.

Thankfully, Paul at Austec took pity on me (I'd only had the car 3 hours - long story from which I am in therapy!) and I left it with him. He did the job within the week.

I remember the re-con box was about £600ish + VAT (at least you get a guarantee which you don't if they repair your box) plus fitting. I had the clutch done at the same time whilst they've got it apart.

Sorry for your news - I hope this helps.

Cheers

Rob

[c3ber]

Hope things are getting sorted Chris; As they say things come in threes.

1. Starter Motor
2. Rear tyre split
3. Lost all water

End result, tomorrow it has a trip on a low loader. Bugger!

[Julian64]

Call me a tight bastard by why does he want his box reconditioned. If, as stated a pin dropped out of the cog, why not just take the box apart fit a pin and stick it back in. Why does noone touch a gearbox.

I've taken two gearboxes apart in the last year and one overdrive. Not that difficult to fix once you got the details on them.

Poor old Andy or Mike might be worth £50/hour but your time is worth tuppance h'ppny.

[itsallyellow]

i agree! hence why im doing my rear diff myself! Just hope these tvr's arnt to bad to work on.

[leebus]

just a quickie!
the gearbox is a borg warner but not the same as the one in the cosworth! i made that mistake wen my box blew up! the gearstick is in the wrong place even tho the box is the same!
tvr used borg warner box but made them re disign the box around the car
good luck

[dean_ratpac]

that's unlike TVR to take an existing design that's proven- tamper with it and make more unreliable? hmmm where have i heard this b4? SP6 perhaps?

[AndyTather]

Here's a nice picy of an old set of 5th Gear(s). Driving along the M4 and put it in 5th and crash/bang !!! thought the gear box had dropped out !!!

If your circlip has just budged then you maybe okay to drive it back to get fixed, however, if its full of debris then it could damage the rest. When the gearbox fluid dripped out of mine it was just full of teeth

Got mine to Steve Howard's place and he rebuilt the box, now have two sets of clips on 5th !!!!

[trooperiziz]

AndyTather said:

Here's a nice picy of an old set of 5th Gear(s). Driving along the M4 and put it in 5th and crash/bang !!! thought the gear box had dropped out !!! If your circlip has just budged then you maybe okay to drive it back to get fixed, however, if its full of debris then it could damage the rest. When the gearbox fluid dripped out of mine it was just full of teeth Got mine to Steve Howard's place and he rebuilt the box, now have two sets of clips on 5th !!!!

Apparently my whole gearbox is basically jelly after my 5th gear went. I'll post a pic when i get it back.

[chris063]

Cheers guys for all the reponse, it's great to be able to read other people's experences so you have an idea what's going on!! I have put her away in the garage until after the new year when ill get a trailer sorted! Am keeping fingers crossed that its just the clip and that there is nothing nasty waiting in there! Ah well, will just have to drown my sorrows with a few over the Xmas period and look forward to getting back in March to play with her again!!! Even after having her a year and in my 4 leaves she has played up in 3 (starter motor/Clutch and now this) I wouldnt change her for anything else, everytime I start her up I still get the big smile!! Plus I think my old man enjoys having a free TVR to drive around in whilst im away!!

[emo]

Chris

Are you not treating my old baby right mate. Or is your dad abusing her whilst you are away.
I keep feeling bad when I read your threads, She only ever let me down once, but she keeps dying on you,Gearbox,clutch,startermotor.Dread to think what next.
Looking at the pic though she is still looking well. Good luck with getting her fixed mate, hope not to expensive.

Reckon i will be down your way in a few months mate. If she is running and your around we can go for a blast. You with the sexy beast, me with a lowly Boxster

[emo]

Just noticed. Thats pic is outside my house

[chris063]

Hi Lee,

Yeah I reckon you might be onto someting there fella, maybe my old man is doing loads of track days or something!! Don't feel bad though mate, it's just the nature of owning a car like this, and the fun far out weighs the little problems!! Don't think it will cost much to sort out the gearbox, she going in for a big service while its getting done!!
That would be great if you and the missus could get down fella, no worries about going out for a spin!! Not sure where to park the Boxster though

Chris

Oh yeah must update my pic, just had the wheels resprayed!!