Difficult gear selection - help

[julesy]

Just started using my cerb again after the snow has disappeared but am having real problems with gear selection, especially when cold. Could only find 2nd and 4th this morning until about 15 minutes into my journey. Car has just been serviced, and no problems on the way back but has been sitting in a garage for 6 weeks.

Any ideas before I take it back for another £££ service...?

Thanks
Julesy

[knight]

I had a difficult gearchange a few weeks ago, next time I went to drive the car, it didn't want to engage any gear at all, this was due to having an empty clutch fluid reservoir caused by a knackered slave cylinder.

[julesy]

Thanks... how can I tell if that's the cause and how big a job is it to fix?

[SimonKD]

julesy said:

Thanks... how can I tell if that's the cause and how big a job is it to fix?

Start by checking the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. To do this, remove the cover under the windscreen, the one that the windscreen washer pipes pass through, 2 countersunk cap heads to undo.. Then inside the drivers wing is an oval inspection cover. Remove the sealant from around this cover and remove the cover itself, underneath is the clutch master cylinder. you can now remove the cap and check the level. If it's low or empty either the slave is leaking or the master cylinder itself. Check behind the drivers pedals for fluid by removing the carpeted panel behind the pedals. Is there any fluid under the car on the floor? Most likely to be slave cylinder seals u/s. Don't just top up and keep driving car as clutch plate contamination could result ending up in new clutch required.

Regards
Simon

[knight]

Gearbox out job I believe

[ajp70]

If your inspection shows the level to be OK then another simple thing to check is that nothing has fallen past the gearlever gaiter. A coin or similar may be preventing the lever to be pushed forward and then it rattled loose again whist driving and you could get your gears again.

This happened to me and there was a lighter down there too.

Maybe unlikely but it's an option before panicing the bank balance. Good luck.