I may not want the answer to this..

[Dave_M]

OK, I'm not techinally minded.

However, my cerb has been fantastic since I bought it.

I have sometimes had a little difficulty selecting reverse, but it's not bad and is only occasional.

However, today it didn't want to go in. I stopped the engine, slected reverse, started the engine, reveresed. No noticeable slippage.

Drove a small way, gear selection didn't feel quite as tight as normal.

Drove back, engine off. Sat in car selecting gears, 1st and 2nd seemed hard to select.

Any thoughts please?

(I may hide for a while in case this is expensive!)

[lou4010]

Hello Dave,

From the post below looks like the Cerb has a similar hydralic set up to the S.
Get these checked first mate.
Good luck
Andy


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Dave_M]

Hi Andy, many thanks

I just had a call from Adam too (PH is wonderful).

I'll try and find how to check the clutch fluid as I imagine if the cyliders have gone, there will not be enough in there.

Depending how I get on and the weather, I may try her again tomorrow but obviously I don't want to turn a problem into a bigger one.

The clutch has not done huge mileage and I'm a fairly smooth driver so I'm hoping that should be OK.

Adam suggested I may have misaligned something when trying to get into reverse.

(O/T he is likley to contact you about a possible run on Sunday, he is now taxed and wants to play! )

[lou4010]

Dave_M said:

Hi Andy, many thanks

I just had a call from Adam too (PH is wonderful).

I'll try and find how to check the clutch fluid as I imagine if the cyliders have gone, there will not be enough in there.

Depending how I get on and the weather, I may try her again tomorrow but obviously I don't want to turn a problem into a bigger one.

The clutch has not done huge mileage and I'm a fairly smooth driver so I'm hoping that should be OK.

Adam suggested I may have misaligned something when trying to get into reverse.

(O/T he is likley to contact you about a possible run on Sunday, he is now taxed and wants to play! )

Ok sounds good to me up for that .

[stuthemong]

Do you select 3rd before reverse normally? Helps to get mine in

[M3John]

stuthemong said:

Do you select 3rd before reverse normally? Helps to get mine in

5th for me. If i don't it will not go into gear.

[Dave_M]

Maybe 85% of the time I can go into reverse with no problem. The remaining times it 'graunches' a little but it's not horrible.

Now you've said it, I think I had to go into 5th sometimes to get to reverse.

Thanks chaps, I'll try both tomorrow and see if it helps.

I'm a tad wary of doing any more harm (my V8S is having a new fuel tank fitted now and I just had a major service on my wedge, so funds are tighter than normal).

[SP6 Animal]

I struggle to get mine in now and then sounds like low fluid to me dave.

[high52kojak]

I always select 5th first, then straight back into reverse, I think even the handbook suggests this?

But it sounds like you may be low on clutch fluid though.

Or worse some of the clutch fingers have broken.

[lou4010]

Dave YHM

[al 350i]

i could be wrong but the way i understand it is that T5 box does not have synchro mesh on fifth or reverse hence the crunching if you try to select reverse, i have always used the into fifth and then straight back down into reverse method to stop that nasty crunch clonk noise. to check the clutch fluid you'll have to remove the black domed shape cover on the drivers side inner wing, there are 3 screws one at 3 o'clock, 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock (but depends on what day the car was built!!!) and lots of silicone.

[itiejim]

You need to select 5th immediately before reverse - the handbook even says so.

If that doesn't help then it sounds like a clutch clearance problem, so best to start by looking at the fluid level and then, if low, try to see where it's gone.

[stuthemong]

Interesting you all select 5th. I was told 3rd, but I don't remember who by. His rationale that that the 5th cog in the gbox is only held on by a circlip or somesuch, so he babies 5th quite a lot (not full torque in 5th, downshifts to 4th before giving beans etc..) - it's interesting as I have just followed that advice and there have been one or two posts with people who's 5th gear has gone -> rebuild.

Hey, this maybe just an old wives tale, but it's just what I do/ heard.

[SP6 Animal]

5th or 3rd can't see it matters but alternate so not to wear the syncro on 5th

[Dave_M]

Thanks all

New technique to do then!

Fluid check tomorrow

[schimg]

Hi Dave ,

Sorry to hear of this mate...as you know the clutch in mine is hheavy...Howard and me changed the fluid to synthetic stuff (about £20), used in military vehicles...that can stand for lond periods of time..

Looks like you have some hired help...if you decide to bleed the clutch...check the fluid that comes out...look for tiny black particles...if there are may suggest the seals are on the way out...

Failing that it may be a clutch - slave issue...wouldn't have thought it would be the box...

Let me know if you want te name of that trick fluid..mobile is on..

[BCA]

I think/ hope you're all barking up the wrong tree..

If gear selection is the issue rather than anything odd through the clutch pedal, I'd look at the gear linkage first - ours has come loose twice in 90k miles, so it could be the issue... certainly once resolved it felt much more crisp in its action.

Worth a look.

[Dave_M]

Dear All,

Thank you greatly for all your comments and offers od help, PH is amazing for things like this.

Lou4010 came round today and checked the master cylinder (what a strange way to hide it!). It was very low in fluid but no obvious leaks. Once topped up and bled it went very well, so I guess it's now best to keep an eye on it in case there's a leak.

Service is in 3 months so it would be good to get to that!

Andy I owe you beer!

Paul @ PPC, also thanks for the advice!

[schimg]

Dave_M said:

Dear All,

Thank you greatly for all your comments and offers od help, PH is amazing for things like this.

Lou4010 came round today and checked the master cylinder (what a strange way to hide it!). It was very low in fluid but no obvious leaks. Once topped up and bled it went very well, so I guess it's now best to keep an eye on it in case there's a leak.

Service is in 3 months so it would be good to get to that!

Andy I owe you beer!

Paul @ PPC, also thanks for the advice!

Happy days Dave...need to get her sorted for our epic run south...

[Dave_M]

Yup, thanks for the call