156 gearbox - Do they all do this?

[planman350i]

156 2.4 jtd, bought it as a demonstrator about 5 months ago.

Started to notice gear changes in first second and third become quite loose (probably always there but overlooked it when I bought it), and a slight crunch almost every time I change down/up from third or first to second (even when warmed up). You need to be forceful to get a good change. Its had a brand new gearbox under warranty this week as a result and still feels the same. Is this a design fault?

[petros]

Used to sell them new and don,t remember Alfas having a notchy gearchange.

[wombat rick]

Doesn't sound typical.
Is the clutch pedal going all the way down?

Have you had a remap....?

[Twin Turbo]

Nope - doesn't sound right

I get the occasional crunch going into reverse, but find slipping it into 1st, then reverse does the trick. Funny, my old TVR 350i was the same!

[planman350i]

wombat rick said:

Doesn't sound typical. Is the clutch pedal going all the way down? Have you had a remap....?

Its not had a remap as far as I am aware. Isn't that engine related though, so would not affect changes...?

Now wondering whether its the actual gate on the box rather than gears....Whatever its going back - I expected it to be spot on with a new box - I bet that wasn't cheap as well!

[wombat rick]

planman350i said:

Its not had a remap as far as I am aware. Isn't that engine related though, so would not affect changes...?

It is engine related, but the increased torque has to go through the standard gearbox which is not far off it's maximum loading as standard. The engine's can produce massive power, but the transmission canna take the power captain.

It doesn't sound right though. Best get them to have another look.

[wink]

Sounds like the clutch may be dragging - have you checked the slave cylinder?

[pdV6]

Twin Turbo said:

Nope - doesn't sound right I get the occasional crunch going into reverse, but find slipping it into 1st, then reverse does the trick. Funny, my old TVR 350i was the same!

No synchro on reverse

[saxmund]

PdV6 said:

No synchro on reverse

Is this normal? For cars in general, not Alfas.

I admit I've been struggling a bit with reverse on mine and wondering why there wasn't a collar to lift or something. Glad to know there probably isn't anything wrong with the gearbox. Given that I often seem to do 2nd-to-4th changes does the lack of synchromesh means I'm less likely to plonk it in reverse by mistake, which even with my very basic understanding of car engineering I suspect would not be good for the engine?

Went out for a drive on Sunday, ostensibly to dry the brake discs after a wash, burnt a suprising amound of petrol hitting the revs, sorting out where all the torque is and pefecting the 1st-to-4th change off tight roundabouts. I admit I'm still a bit conservative about overtaking on single carrieageway roads and going round corners fast, I think I'm still half expecting the car to demonstrate the general crapness of my old one. But the more I drive the car the more I enjoy it... I'm even thinking seriously about an ECU remap.

>> Edited by saxmund on Monday 11th April 13:20

[wombat rick]

saxmund said:

1st-to-4th change off tight roundabouts

What?
1st to 4th?
In a Twin Spark?

Doesn't it just shudder to a stop and flash loads of random signals at you including the great "You have no brake fluid...or then again maybe it's your handbrake that's on. I don't know. [shrug] I'm off for a coffee and a leer at the ladies" warning light.

[pdV6]

wombat rick said:

saxmund said: 1st-to-4th change off tight roundabouts What? 1st to 4th? In a Twin Spark?

I have this mental image that goes along the lines of:
brrrrrm... BRRRRRRRM... screeeeeeech... chug chug chug

[wombat rick]

Closely followed by Sh......!.........t Kerrrrrrrrrrunch as the VW PDIddy TDI (red letters) behind suddenly comes on boost and all 684lb ft of torque arrive. At once.

[saxmund]

I should have possibly said that the roundabout I was particularly referring to is in a 40 zone. It's a bit tight and you can't approach fast as sightlines are a bit restricted, so... brake into the turning point, change down to first, exit with the engine screaming, change down to 4th when you reach the speed limit. You can easy go to 40 in 1st

I'll be looking out for that VW, though

[wombat rick]

saxmund said:

change down to 4th

Up!

Yes, you can go to 40 in first, but then plonking it straight into fourth is a bit unkind.

[saxmund]

You're probably right, I shall drive in lower gears in future

[saxmund]

Seriously speaking, I have developed a (probably bad) habit of accelerating madly in a low gear and then just plonking it straight into a "cruising" gear when I reach either the speed limit or the speed I want to go at. If this really is unkind to the car, I shall mend my ways

[dougal]

No, definately not supposed to happen. The change on ours is very slick and smooth, the only thing I've ever noticed is the occiasional, very soft, unfeelable, but just audible clunk as the clutch is engaged on change-up.

[top brake]

you gotta drive the JTD on the peak of the torque curve
change up at 3250 tops

unless it has been remapped - mine revs clean to the red now!

some issues with the 6 speed - my mates GTA lost 2nd gear and had an exchange box fitted

try cahnging gear properly for a few weeks and then see if you have problems - she probably is trying to tell you something...

i have the 5 speed and it is more than capable of taking the 200+ bhp and 400 nm of torque