Can't get into gear!

[Wiggyfella]

While driving into central London last Friday, I suddenly couldn't get my Speed Six into gear (thankfully I'd memorised how to turn the hazards on, so didn't cause too much angst behind me). With the engine turned off, the clutch/gearbox worked fine, but as soon as I fired up again in 1st, the car lurched forwards as if the clutch wasn't depressed.

No loss in pedal resistance at all. Just the inability to get into gear. Anyway, after a wait of 5 hours (!), I was finally recovered home by the AA, and my baby is now back at the dealer being looked at.

I was given a 12 month warranty when I bought the car, and am sincerely hoping that this problem, whatever it is, will be covered.

I've driven less than 1000 miles since I bought it in November!

Any ideas?

Ta.

[Steve_T]

Most likely cause is the clutch is not fully disengaging when you push the pedal. Either the diagphragm spring has broken fingers or one of the leaf springs around the edge of the clutch has gone. This will mean the plates of the clutch are dragging over each other, even when the pedal is fully depressed, hence why the car lurches forward when you start it. I'm interested who supplied the car to you - if you're happy to say drop me a mail through profile.

Steve.



>> Edited by Steve_T on Thursday 2nd March 17:04

[Extra 300 Driver]

My vote is the fingers gone, if the clutch feels ok.

Its a material failure and covered under warranty.

[davidn]

Had the same problem recently, as SteveT suggest one of two things, in my case one of the small leaf springs had brocken causing the clutch to drag. Need complete clutch and covered under warranty - you should be fine.
Cheers
David

[Wiggyfella]

Thanks for the support, everyone. Hope you're right about the warranty. Will update you once the diagnosis is in.

Cheers.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Wiggyfella said:

Thanks for the support, everyone. Hope you're right about the warranty. Will update you once the diagnosis is in. Cheers.

If you need a hand regarding warranty, give me a PM.

[kojak]

fingers.

[Wiggyfella]

All,
Verdict's in.

The clutch had failed on its release fingers, so I believe most of you were right (well done).

The dealer submitted a claim to the warranty company on my behalf, and the failed clutch was inspected by an independent assessor, who basically came along, and then agreed that it had failed (!).

However, and you learn something new every day, the warranty company would only cover a proportion of the cost equivalent to the percentage of useable friction material left in the assembly. In my case, this was agreed to be 50%. In addition, the warranty company has agreed to cover 100% of the labour involved, so overall the clutch repair will come to around £275 inc VAT. I'm quite pleased, and am happy with the service my dealer gave on this.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, and offers of help.

Cheers,
Wiggyfella





>> Edited by Wiggyfella on Thursday 9th March 08:46

[robertjp]

I have similar symptoms, its been suggested maybe its one of the cylinders dragging / scoring.

i have checked my clutch fluid with no seal bits floating around...so a betting man would probably say fingers, however the clutch was changed 8000 miles ago!!

Can they really break that quickly?!

Having it looked at tomorrow.

[simonsparrow]

Glad it going to be back on the road soon! Also good that the cost was cushioned by the waranty company.

[gazzab]

Well done!! The £275 contribution would slightly annoy me as you cant buy clutch parts separately and so a failure is total failure thus making the wear left in the clutch irrelevant.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Well done.

I can see the warranty companys point of view, and it seems fair.

[Wiggyfella]

Got my car back. With the new clutch fitted, pedal action is nice and light again, and biting point nice and high. Overall, gearchange is much slicker than before, so I'm happy.

Have noticed a bit of a whining or almost whistling from the gearbox though, and no idea what that might be.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Wiggyfella said:

Got my car back. With the new clutch fitted, pedal action is nice and light again, and biting point nice and high. Overall, gearchange is much slicker than before, so I'm happy. Have noticed a bit of a whining or almost whistling from the gearbox though, and no idea what that might be.

They may have used a different oil for the gearbox. This could give you a different sound. Or if you want to look on the bad side the diff may be on its way out!