Difficulty in first gear

suzublu · 2nd May 2024, 19:16

About a month ago, car became difficult to engage 1st gear, thought the mat had slipped up behind the clutch pedal so removed it . Then realised gearbox oil was over 20 years old and replacement due at 90k miles, mine's on 93 so changed the oil. Moved between the gears at standstill, but a bit like stirring pebbles, took it for a 30 mile run and everything was slick. Thought that was it. Took it out the other day, first junction I came to, stopped, then tried 1st gear and it wouldn't go in, but pulled away in 2nd. Hope I've described it well enough. All other gear changes are slick, so I'm stumped. What do the experts think? Clutch, gearbox, cables?
Just to add, it doesn't do it all the time, just occasionally.
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dave lincs · 2nd May 2024, 19:35

Flush some new fluid through it first Ronnie

trikey · 2nd May 2024, 19:43

Slave on the way out Ronnie.

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trikey · 2nd May 2024, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Slave on the way out Ronnie.

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Or... check the rubbers haven't perished where the cables join the gearbox.

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suzublu · 2nd May 2024, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Or... check the rubbers haven't perished where the cables join the gearbox.

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The rubbers just slide along the cables Andy, might try Dave's thoughts first, then go from there. Cheers both 👍

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Costa Fortuna · 3rd May 2024, 11:04

Almost certainly clutch plate sticking on the spines - stopping the clutch from fully disengaging - if any gear can easily be selected with engine off but plays up running that'll be it.

planenut · 3rd May 2024, 11:42

Check the condition of the sockets on the cables.

Check the level in the master cylinder if you are a good contortionist.

Good luck.

suzublu · 3rd May 2024, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by planenut

Check the condition of the sockets on the cables.

Check the level in the master cylinder if you are a good contortionist.

Good luck.

Thanks Fred, the cables seem ok, but the fluid hasn't been changed in my ownership, so flushing with new, I'm going to have to break both wrists to get at the master 😁

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planenut · 3rd May 2024, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

Thanks Fred, the cables seem ok, but the fluid hasn't been changed in my ownership, so flushing with new, I'm going to have to break both wrists to get at the master 😁

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Ah, I thought you posted that you had done an oil change? Maybe I misunderstood.

suzublu · 3rd May 2024, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by planenut

Ah, I thought you posted that you had done an oil change? Maybe I misunderstood.

Yes, just done gearbox oil change, but not clutch fluid 😎

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2nd May 2024, 19:16	#1
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,946 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Difficulty in first gear About a month ago, car became difficult to engage 1st gear, thought the mat had slipped up behind the clutch pedal so removed it . Then realised gearbox oil was over 20 years old and replacement due at 90k miles, mine's on 93 so changed the oil. Moved between the gears at standstill, but a bit like stirring pebbles, took it for a 30 mile run and everything was slick. Thought that was it. Took it out the other day, first junction I came to, stopped, then tried 1st gear and it wouldn't go in, but pulled away in 2nd. Hope I've described it well enough. All other gear changes are slick, so I'm stumped. What do the experts think? Clutch, gearbox, cables? Just to add, it doesn't do it all the time, just occasionally. Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk Last edited by suzublu; 2nd May 2024 at 19:25..

2nd May 2024, 19:43	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,806 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Slave on the way out Ronnie. Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk __________________ Lest we forget..

2nd May 2024, 19:35	#2
dave lincs Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louth Posts: 1,434 Thanks: 380 Thanked 986 Times in 476 Posts	Flush some new fluid through it first Ronnie

3rd May 2024, 11:04	#6
Costa Fortuna Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: POOLE Posts: 128 Thanks: 24 Thanked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Almost certainly clutch plate sticking on the spines - stopping the clutch from fully disengaging - if any gear can easily be selected with engine off but plays up running that'll be it.

3rd May 2024, 11:42	#7
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,972 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	Check the condition of the sockets on the cables. Check the level in the master cylinder if you are a good contortionist. Good luck.