Fiesta Gear Issue

[MrAdaam]

Now, I know that a '51 plate Fiesta is not the most PH of cars but I would like some advice on troubleshooting my gear issue. Driving to work this morning I had not problems changing gear, as smooth as usual, until I went onto accelerate onto a NSL road. I accelerated in second to around 40-50mph and then went to change up into 4th which became a massive problem as it seemed it had just been blocked off completely. I went back into second and rapidly slowed down.
I then carried on the journey after forcing it into gear each time I needed to change. It wouldn't cooperate at all and ever gear change was a struggle.

Where should I start looking? Do you need any more info? I'm not the most technically minded but I will have a go at some stuff.

[Laurel Green]

Did you not try third gear instead of going from second to fourth? Or did you mean third to fourth? Anyway, would check gearbox oil level.

[seagrey]

Clutch not clearing,does it go into gear with the engine off?

[LoudV8]

Sounds like clutch problems. Could be clutch wear or faulty hydraulics. There is also a pre-load system, a spring in your case, which could also be faulty. All you can check without removing the gearbox is the hydraulics. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. You can usualy 'feel' when it's a hydraulic problem - the clutch pedal just doesn't feel right.

[MrAdaam]

Laurel Green said:

Did you not try third gear instead of going from second to fourth? Or did you mean third to fourth? Anyway, would check gearbox oil level.

I think I would of been second - third, into 5th after the rest of the acceleration. I did try 4th afterwards as third may have been the initial gear problem.

LoudV8 said:

Sounds like clutch problems. Could be clutch wear or faulty hydraulics. There is also a pre-load system, a spring in your case, which could also be faulty. All you can check without removing the gearbox is the hydraulics. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. You can usualy 'feel' when it's a hydraulic problem - the clutch pedal just doesn't feel right.

At low speed, <10mph, it is noticeably easier to change gear and when the engine is off or idling it is as normal as before. Where would I be looking for checking these issues? What would a 15mile drive do to the engine in this state?

[LoudV8]

MrAdaam said:

At low speed, <10mph, it is noticeably easier to change gear and when the engine is off or idling it is as normal as before. Where would I be looking for checking these issues? What would a 15mile drive do to the engine in this state?

If you can engage gear normally when the engine is running it probably isn't clutch. As stated above, check gearbox oil level. Your 15 mile drive won't harm the engine, but the gearbox internals are getting bashed about.