1993 4.3 Chim trouble with fifth gear
Discussion
Hi all just picked up a 1993 4.3 Chim and it drives fantastic my first TVR and a real treat.
However I feel I may have my first problem, when driving all gears work fine however when changing into fifth probably 50% of the time it crunches and will not engage as if the synchro is not working.
If I pursist and try a couple of times it goes. Hasn't refused it so far but took three attempts at one point.
So is this a normal TVR gear box or have I just got a dud one? Reverse is left of first gear if this helps identify the box.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Tony
However I feel I may have my first problem, when driving all gears work fine however when changing into fifth probably 50% of the time it crunches and will not engage as if the synchro is not working.
If I pursist and try a couple of times it goes. Hasn't refused it so far but took three attempts at one point.
So is this a normal TVR gear box or have I just got a dud one? Reverse is left of first gear if this helps identify the box.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Tony
Yes reverse is up and left.
So is it something that can be fixed? I will only use the car occasionally so it's not something that is going to drive me mad just wanted to check the gear box was not about to fall out!!!!!!
If its a fairly straight forward job I don't mind getting my hands dirty but don't fancy taking the box apart.
I have pictures but wifi is playing up at home so I'm on the phone and don't think I can upload from it.
Thanks for the welcome, I also own a lotus Elise and just sold my Ferrari 308 so I'm more than prepared for the "joys" of TVR ownership. It's what makes cars an adventure!
I drove 300 miles to view the TVR and on the way back the fuel pump went on the Elise so I was happy just to get the Chim home!!!
So is it something that can be fixed? I will only use the car occasionally so it's not something that is going to drive me mad just wanted to check the gear box was not about to fall out!!!!!!
If its a fairly straight forward job I don't mind getting my hands dirty but don't fancy taking the box apart.
I have pictures but wifi is playing up at home so I'm on the phone and don't think I can upload from it.
Thanks for the welcome, I also own a lotus Elise and just sold my Ferrari 308 so I'm more than prepared for the "joys" of TVR ownership. It's what makes cars an adventure!
I drove 300 miles to view the TVR and on the way back the fuel pump went on the Elise so I was happy just to get the Chim home!!!
Hi Tony,
I'm sure it’s just the gear linkage and could be considerably improved with a bit of adjustment.
pwd95 is spot on!, after all he used to own it!. When I bought it off him I found it almost impossible to hit 5th. After fitting a new ball joint to the gear change it was improved considerably but still needs a bit of fine tweaking to suit your gear change style. I never spent much time adjusting it because I just so got used to it and never really had any issues once I got the knack of it.
Adjustments a fairly straight forward process and will probably become quite obvious once you get it up on the lift.
Rich
I'm sure it’s just the gear linkage and could be considerably improved with a bit of adjustment.
pwd95 is spot on!, after all he used to own it!. When I bought it off him I found it almost impossible to hit 5th. After fitting a new ball joint to the gear change it was improved considerably but still needs a bit of fine tweaking to suit your gear change style. I never spent much time adjusting it because I just so got used to it and never really had any issues once I got the knack of it.
Adjustments a fairly straight forward process and will probably become quite obvious once you get it up on the lift.
Rich
Thanks rich,
Not sure about the linkage I'm going to check all the levels first as I always prefer to go the simple option first! But a few people I have spoken to have suggested that if it was the linkage it would be 2nd gear that would go first as it gets more use.
As you say it's not a massive issue the fact it has been like it for so long makes me think it's not really getting any worse.
Had a good drive back in it yesterday going to get it up on the ramp at some point this week and have a nose about, but very happy.
Thanks
Not sure about the linkage I'm going to check all the levels first as I always prefer to go the simple option first! But a few people I have spoken to have suggested that if it was the linkage it would be 2nd gear that would go first as it gets more use.
As you say it's not a massive issue the fact it has been like it for so long makes me think it's not really getting any worse.
Had a good drive back in it yesterday going to get it up on the ramp at some point this week and have a nose about, but very happy.
Thanks
pwd95 said:
Mine was the same. The early gearbox was the Rover box & the linkages get a bit tired. Test drove an early Griff with exactly the same problem. 
Ahh it turns out that yours was very much the same!!! I am sure I will get used to driving it then if I really feel I need to have it looked at I will attempt at a later date.
First TVR I have driven and that noise is addictive !!
Mine does the same. It's taken me a couple of months to get the nack of getting up and down the gears. I quite like that it's not something anyone can jump in and drive though, half the fun for me !
Let me know how the linkage change affects things though if you do go that route as i was considering this myself.
If yours is the same as mine it seems to loosen up considerably once everything has warmed up. I'm about to change the gearbox oil as well as i've heard this can make a considerable difference. I'm all honesty it wouldn't surprise me if this has never been done on mine.
Would be interested to know how you get on so let us know !
AJ
Let me know how the linkage change affects things though if you do go that route as i was considering this myself.
If yours is the same as mine it seems to loosen up considerably once everything has warmed up. I'm about to change the gearbox oil as well as i've heard this can make a considerable difference. I'm all honesty it wouldn't surprise me if this has never been done on mine.
Would be interested to know how you get on so let us know !
AJ
I will certainly report back.
Now this is why pistonheads is so useful I have the last two owners already having replied to this thread so did either of you change the gear box oil? And if so when? Don't want to drain and change If it has already been done.
Reassuring to hear its a common issue as has been said it's not something that stops you driving the car just got to get used to it
Now this is why pistonheads is so useful I have the last two owners already having replied to this thread so did either of you change the gear box oil? And if so when? Don't want to drain and change If it has already been done.
Reassuring to hear its a common issue as has been said it's not something that stops you driving the car just got to get used to it
Tonym3 said:
I will certainly report back.
Now this is why pistonheads is so useful I have the last two owners already having replied to this thread so did either of you change the gear box oil? And if so when? Don't want to drain and change If it has already been done.
Reassuring to hear its a common issue as has been said it's not something that stops you driving the car just got to get used to it
I'm sure pwd95 had it done, I think there is a reciept in the folder for it....Now this is why pistonheads is so useful I have the last two owners already having replied to this thread so did either of you change the gear box oil? And if so when? Don't want to drain and change If it has already been done.
Reassuring to hear its a common issue as has been said it's not something that stops you driving the car just got to get used to it
Ha ha, small world. Yes I changed the oil in the box. Used Castrol SMX-S. Made a noticeable difference. Oct/Nov 09.
Here's me with 5th.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgEpfCrs1GQ
Here's me with 5th.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgEpfCrs1GQ
Only on the tubular chassis, in the corners where it's strongest.
Few pics when I had it.......
http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/pwd95/My%20C...
Few pics when I had it.......
http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/pwd95/My%20C...
Had a bit of luck today with regards to the box.
I am still planning to change the oil first but when I mentioned it to my petrol head friend this morning, and said worse case I will get a replacement box. So he chirps up with the fact that he has three SD1 gear boxes at home!! So may change it anyway, but haven't got too much time at the moment so will change the oil and use at it is for now.
How are the boxes to change? Looks like it has decent levels of access.
I am still planning to change the oil first but when I mentioned it to my petrol head friend this morning, and said worse case I will get a replacement box. So he chirps up with the fact that he has three SD1 gear boxes at home!! So may change it anyway, but haven't got too much time at the moment so will change the oil and use at it is for now.
How are the boxes to change? Looks like it has decent levels of access.
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