Alfa 147 manual gear change problems

[casarnbil]

Hi there - I have a 2003 manual 147 with 55k on the clock. Over the past six months I have experienced periodic problems with gear changes - usually 2nd to 3rd and 5th to 4th. On a bad day it is very difficult to change gear - no matter how hard you try it gives the impression it just does'nt want to go. Then on other days it's fine ! Anyone else had similar problems ? Would also appreciate any recommendations as to reliable independent Alfa specialists for servicing / repairs etc in Essex / Suffolk as experiences with main dealers have been patchy to say the least ! Many thanks.

[jacobyte]

Mine started doign it recently (75K miles). At the 72K service they said it's swarf in the gearbox that needs cleaning out from the selectors, but is harmless. I'll get it done at the next opportunity though, as I don't like the idea of small metallic particles going 'round my gearbox bearings.

[saxmund]

I had a similar problem with 4th gear in my 156, probably around 70K miles as well - got it sorted out without having to have the gearbox stripped down, cost around £100.

[anonymous-user]

saxmund said:

I had a similar problem with 4th gear in my 156, probably around 70K miles as well - got it sorted out without having to have the gearbox stripped down, cost around £100.

How was it fixed? I have a similar symptom and could do with fixing it.

[saxmund]

The invoice says:
Remove gear box end casing and clean out
Remove 4th gear detent and clean
Drain gear box oil and refill

The cause was "probably" swarf in the gears, but none could be found... it was still a bits tiff when I got the car back after the above, but freed up over thenext few hundred miles.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for that. Mine tends to be a little reticent to drop into 6th at times and I was worried it was the synchro. Will try cleaning it out at some point.