I've noticed over the last couple of weeks that the gears are feeling a bit "notchy" (if that makes sense) when changing. There wasn't any real problem with the changes, and it went in fine, but it felt a bit clunkier than it should have done. And then over the last couple of days, it grinds when I try to put it in 1st or reverse when starting up, which it has never done before, and very occasionally will grind changing down into 2nd when driving.

Is this likely just down to a clutch in need of adjustment, or is it indicative of deeper and more serious problems with the gearbox itself? Is there anything I can do to make sure one way or the other? And what sort of costs would I likely be up for, if it was one or the other?

Sounds like your gearbox oil is getting old mate. Get the oil changed with either Mitsu stuff or something of your choice (there's mention of a lot of oils on here so a search may help you) Personally I used Motul FF LSD and I would completely recommend it.

:shock: while your there replace the clutch master cycl fluid

Thanks to the usual time constraints I've only just managed to get hold of some gear oil, and hopefully will have time to replace the oil on the weekend.

However...I've noticed that if I double-clutch, the problems pretty much go away - nice smooth changes, no grinding etc.

I don't really know enough about gearboxes to know what symptoms actually cause which problems. Does the lack of problems when double-clutching have any bearing on whether it is just old oil, or something with the clutch or gearbox instead? Or is it just a happy coincidence? :confused:

It's still quite possible it's old fluids, the double declutching means synchronisers don't need to work as hard. See if it's still there post fluid changes.

I change gear oil first.. then look at Master fliud.. they are the cheap options atleast..:)

After that it will start costing more money..:)

what a bitch of a job that was! :rant:

I'm guessing it has been a while since the gear oil was last done. I couldn't budge it at all with the ratchet, and even the straight bar made no impact. In the end, I had to put the bar on the nut, then sit at the side of the car and haul back on the side of the engine bay whilst putting my whole strength into the foot pressing against the bar before finally cracking the damn nut.

Anyway...it's now draining quite happily, although it did need the rear to be jacked to drain properly. I just hope the nut for the filler hole isn't quite so uncooperative! ah well, if that's the most trouble I have, then I've done pretty well! :)

Hows the car driving now..?? any better..??

My magna had similar problems- crunching inot reverse and 1st.

I bled the clutch system (and lubricated the linkages as these were sticking).

Ensure the clutch pedal is depressed fully.

And and I have had no problems since.

After draining the gearbox, it appears that the original oil levels may have been more than a little on the low side. The manual says 2L, but if there was even 1L of oil in the drain pan I would be surprised! And that's after jacking the car to aid drainage.

It seems a *little* better now, smoother overall, but still frequently quite difficult to change gears. To the point that sometimes it takes a few goes to even get it to start going in, let alone engage the gear properly. It doesn't seem to grind any more though. Occasionally, some changes feel reasonably smooth, but not often. Double-clutching seems to be the only way to get a consistent gear change, but it still feels a bit 'clunky' most of of the time.

It does feel at times that the clutch pedal is rather slow to come back up after being depressed, which does seem to me to point more towards clutch problems. Does that seem consistent with the above symptoms, or is gearbox more likely?

I will try the clutch next, having done the gear oil to no discernible effect, and hopefully we'll see some more positive results! Any tips on how to best check the clutch, specifically on how to bleed it properly? What sort of fluid should I be putting in? (ie. brands, grades, etc). I've never had to bleed a clutch before, or even had a car where it was required in the first place. Thanks guys.

I'm just trying to confirm the location of the clutch fluid reservoir, and have attached a picture below. Am I correct that it is the one with the round white cap at the top of the pic? I checked it this afternoon, and it was pretty much empty, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to join those dots! I don't want to go chucking brake fluid in without first making absolutely sure I've got the right reservoir though, lol.

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I'm just trying to confirm the location of the clutch fluid reservoir, and have attached a picture below. Am I correct that it is the one with the round white cap at the top of the pic? I checked it this afternoon, and it was pretty much empty, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to join those dots! I don't want to go chucking brake fluid in without first making absolutely sure I've got the right reservoir though, lol.

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thats correct. i had a similar problem with my gears a few months back and that was the problem. that reservoir was bone dry. i filled it up but it took about a week to get back to normal again. after you fill it keep an eye on it as it may have a leak

thats correct. i had a similar problem with my gears a few months back and that was the problem. that reservoir was bone dry. i filled it up but it took about a week to get back to normal again. after you fill it keep an eye on it as it may have a leak

Thanks for the confirmation. I figured that had to be the one, and filled it anyway, and that was certainly the problem! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for leaks now that I now about it. Nice to find it was such a simple solution in the end, and a good prompt to replace the gear oil too.