Calling 'S' gearbox experts!
Discussion
Moved my S3 to clean it today and noticed it was difficult to get into reverse when started.
It was making that gear crunching noise when trying to get into reverse. In the end, switched engine off, put into reverse, clutch pedal down, restarted engine and hey presto, it moved! Then it didn't like first gear, pulled away in second.
Not being a mechanically minded, my question is: How serious is this? Is it time to have the gearbox replaced/reconditioned etc or is there a simple 'quick fix' remedy. I have noticed it getting worse over the months, but not this bad that I had to stop the engine to put in reverse gear.
It was making that gear crunching noise when trying to get into reverse. In the end, switched engine off, put into reverse, clutch pedal down, restarted engine and hey presto, it moved! Then it didn't like first gear, pulled away in second.
Not being a mechanically minded, my question is: How serious is this? Is it time to have the gearbox replaced/reconditioned etc or is there a simple 'quick fix' remedy. I have noticed it getting worse over the months, but not this bad that I had to stop the engine to put in reverse gear.
The gearbox can be a bit slow when its cold but I always put it into (say) 2nd before going into reverse as otherwise it tends to crunch a bit. (Interestingly I had a job done on the S at the factory many years ago and said to watch it going into reverse - the reply being ' we always do what you said as they tend to be like that Sir' so its not just mine!!)
Another silly one but is the oil OK? They do tend to drip a bit and maybe its dripped some out? Another possible thing that may help is one of the gearbox additives that are designed to aid gearchange. I put 'Wynn's gearbox stop leak' in mine earlier this year and its has eased it a bit when cold as well as reducing the drips a little so that could be worth a go if all else fails.
Jim
Another silly one but is the oil OK? They do tend to drip a bit and maybe its dripped some out? Another possible thing that may help is one of the gearbox additives that are designed to aid gearchange. I put 'Wynn's gearbox stop leak' in mine earlier this year and its has eased it a bit when cold as well as reducing the drips a little so that could be worth a go if all else fails.
Jim
I'm no mechanic but had a similar problem on mine over the last month or so. Symptoms were not as bad as you've described but because I've got a long drive ahead of me next weekend I didn't want to risk a problem enroute so I got it checked. It turned out to be the clutch slave cylinder leaking slightly which is not a major job to put it right.
Longers
Longers
like Longers and Roy C, as a simple first step, the clutch reservoir is worth checking, after unscrewing the top, fluid level should be just under full. I say unscrewing the top because my reservoir is part of the master cylinder and thus not see through, it may be yours is see through in which case you dont need to unscrew anything to see the fluid level which, depending on markings, probably still needs to be full.
second check is gear box oil level, more difficult as the car will at least need to be on axle stands to get at the plug to check the level, not that you can see any level, its access to get a home fashioned dip stick into.
after that is when you start questioning the clutch plate or the gearbox, and questions like what type of gear box do you have ie is it an N type or MT75 will need answering.
hope its one of the first two checks,
bil
second check is gear box oil level, more difficult as the car will at least need to be on axle stands to get at the plug to check the level, not that you can see any level, its access to get a home fashioned dip stick into.
after that is when you start questioning the clutch plate or the gearbox, and questions like what type of gear box do you have ie is it an N type or MT75 will need answering.
hope its one of the first two checks,
bil
The problem selecting reverse is caused by the lack of synchro on reverse. The usual advice is to select any forward gear and then drop it into reverse. The synchro on the forward gears stops the insides of the gearbox and it's usually possible to select reverse without any trouble. If you have problems after that it suggests the clutch is dragging. What was the problem with first gear?
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