Most of the BX's I've driven had have an unwillingness to get into first gear. The gears don't crash, but engaging first often seems to take a couple of gentle thrusts. This seems to be the case over most of the different models that I've tried. Does onyone know why this is so and what can be done to make things a bit smoother? Is there a need to keep certain parts of the linkage well lubricated? Or is it just a design 'feature'?
E.
Gearbox question #1 - notchy selection of first gear
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Eric Brough
- Confirmed BX'er
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:56 am
- Location: Surrey, UK
- My Cars: BX 16TXi
C5 Mk1 Facelift 2.0 HDi estate
C6 2.2 HDi Lignage
Fiat 500 Lounge
Gearbox question #1 - notchy selection of first gear
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BX 16TXi
C5 Mk1 Facelift 2.0 HDi estate
C6 2.2 HDi Lignage
Fiat 500 Lounge
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BX 16TXi
C5 Mk1 Facelift 2.0 HDi estate
C6 2.2 HDi Lignage
Fiat 500 Lounge
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The cause is rotten design. These boxes will never feel anything like a Mk 1 Escort box which was probably one of the best ever made for change quality if not for durability.
However they needn't be that bad. The first thing to improve them is to check that the clutch actually frees properly - its a matter of pride amongst mechanics never to adjust them properly but if the breaking point is near the floor rather than the top of the pedal travel then it needs adjustment.
The next point is to check that the correct oil is in it - anything else will cause problems.
The third thing that will improve it is to lubricate the gearchange linkage - especially the ball under the lever - which will make it all rather better.
However they needn't be that bad. The first thing to improve them is to check that the clutch actually frees properly - its a matter of pride amongst mechanics never to adjust them properly but if the breaking point is near the floor rather than the top of the pedal travel then it needs adjustment.
The next point is to check that the correct oil is in it - anything else will cause problems.
The third thing that will improve it is to lubricate the gearchange linkage - especially the ball under the lever - which will make it all rather better.
I've just had all the mechanicals out of a TZi with the BE3 gearbox and rebuilt the engine, faced the flywheel and renewed the clutch.
When we got the car, it had the same symptoms and we found that this 'professionally serviced' car had almost no oil in the gearbox; a dose of a straight 80 grade oil cured that (Castrol VMX 80) with 125 mls of Nulon G70 gearbox additive. THe clutch was also a bit suspect and as Jeremy says, thet seem to have a "thing" about not adjusting them. The previous owner was of the opinion both gearbox and clutch were on the blink, but he got another 50K klms out of them before they totally expired. Driven normally both would still have been going.
When I refitted the mechanics, I spent a fair bit of time setting the clutch exactly where the 6'5" driver would be comfortable with it.
Oil again, as Jeremy says, is critical. I always use 80 in these as over the years I've seen people use even 85 and suddenly things seem to get a bit crunchy. Synthetics, particularly ones rated to 95 (75W95) can make it almost undriveable.
Alan S
When we got the car, it had the same symptoms and we found that this 'professionally serviced' car had almost no oil in the gearbox; a dose of a straight 80 grade oil cured that (Castrol VMX 80) with 125 mls of Nulon G70 gearbox additive. THe clutch was also a bit suspect and as Jeremy says, thet seem to have a "thing" about not adjusting them. The previous owner was of the opinion both gearbox and clutch were on the blink, but he got another 50K klms out of them before they totally expired. Driven normally both would still have been going.
When I refitted the mechanics, I spent a fair bit of time setting the clutch exactly where the 6'5" driver would be comfortable with it.
Oil again, as Jeremy says, is critical. I always use 80 in these as over the years I've seen people use even 85 and suddenly things seem to get a bit crunchy. Synthetics, particularly ones rated to 95 (75W95) can make it almost undriveable.
Alan S
By the time you're old enough to know it all, you can't remember why you were learning.