Crunchy reverse

[-JUT-]

Hello all,

Got another niggle coming with my tiv, and this time it could be a biggie.

It's developing a nasty habit of not wanting to go in reverse, especially when cold, but even when it's warm too. Not overly keen on going into first when I stop at lights or wherever. It's alright while it's on the move though. Tried double clutching and putting it into other gears first, no joy. Very confusing.

I'm thinking the culprits here could be old / lack of gearbox oil, knackered clutch or clutch not fully disengaging, or the big one I guess could just be a knackered box. It's a '96 4 litre with the T5 box. Any suggestions? I'm thinking an oil change and molyslip in the box might be a good first step, plus checking the clutch is working as it should be.

Cheers

[Fire99]

Cant comment on other gears but when going into reverse do you go into 5th first then go into reverse.. This is a known issue with the T5...

[-JUT-]

I believe I tried that - but will give it another go.

Doesn't explain why it seems to be getting worse though... or why it is reluctant to go into first even when warm.

Thankfully I bought the car with a comprehensive warranty so should be covered if it's anything serious - just wondering if there are any obvious checks I should carry out which may highlight something simple.

[Cider Andy]

It might be symptomatic of the clutch not disengaging properly. Has the clutch biting point moved down towards the bottom of the pedal travel? If it has, check the fluid level in the reservoir and check both master and slave cylinders for signs of leakage: slave can be difficult to tell without the car up in the air - it can be confused with other leaks, like the sump gasket. Master you can tell from inside the car in the footwell. It leaks pas the pushrod seal on to the carpet.

[Ozstyle]

Maybe worth just bleeding clutch hydraulics, fairly common cause of difficult gear selection.

[road-runner]

Mine's a 95 400 with a T5 like yours. Reverse is a bit awkward but putting it into 5th first allows it to engage smoothly. I too sometimes get problems with first at lights. Going into 2nd first doesn't seem to help though, i just gently wiggle it a bit and it slots in. Sometimes a quick blip of the accelerated with the clutch dipped helps.

A bit embarrasing when it happens as people beep, but when i get it in i just floor it away like a tw#t

[biggiles]

Before I knew about the 5th-before-reverse trick, I was crunching all the time. Now, it's pretty smooth.

[Fire99]

definitely worth checking your clutch fluid level and biting points etc.

Also a change of Gearbox oil may be a good step before going much further as its a cheap action which can improve the change alot.. (and then you know for sure the correct gearbox oil etc is there)

[blaze_away]

I fully endorse the - change the oil in the box- approx. I had similar issues with mine, and also changing 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to 2nd were crunchy too. I drained it a refilled it with fresh ATF220 transmission fluid and now its smooth and crisp. I was so impressed with the change I went and did every other fluid in the car as well, clutch fluid, brake fluid, diff oil, coolant and engine oil. Car now runs and drives smoother all round.

PS Mine is a '93 Chim 400 with the SD1 river box, reverse is at top left position.

[-JUT-]

Anybody know where you can get Mobil ATF 220 online?

Have scoured the local garages and motor factors and failed to find any. Are there any substitutes you can use? I.E. can you use any Dexron IID fluid?

[-JUT-]

Hurrah!

Sliced open the vast amount on silicone on the inner wing, removed the cover and checked the master cylinder - almost bone dry. Topped up - no more crunchy gearchanges! But I can't see where it leaked from - anywhere obvious to check? I just had the car undersealed on saturday so the underside of it is covered in black goop, and it's going to make it very hard to see leaks...

[dc53]

-JUT- said:

Hurrah!

Sliced open the vast amount on silicone on the inner wing, removed the cover and checked the master cylinder - almost bone dry. Topped up - no more crunchy gearchanges! But I can't see where it leaked from - anywhere obvious to check? I just had the car undersealed on saturday so the underside of it is covered in black goop, and it's going to make it very hard to see leaks...

[notax]

I had same problem with mine recently - turned out the fluid was running down the clutch pedal itself as the slave cylinder had gone. Only a very small amount appeared to have leaked out but it enough to make a difference.