Hey guys,
Hope some one can help. Probably a mechanic knowing my recent luck but here goes anyway......
I drive a 1998 UK Model 1.8ltr Manual Petrol Focus. Zetec Model. Its approaching 60k and I drive a variety of road types regurlarly and trip lengths vary. Its alway been fully serviced. I've had nearly 3 years of a wonderful car with minimal costs but recently everything seams to be going wrong, some bad luck i know and the rest I'm putting down to the car just getting old.
Anyhow, I noticed on Monday it suddenly became much more difficult to get it to shift gear. It was fine over weekend but after I'd reversed out of my drive on Monday it was difficult to get first. 2nd was a problem and then
3rd was a nightmare. I've never had a problem but now, on starting, its horrid. The last 2 days have been similar. 3rd seams particularly bad in a morning.Wierdly during my commute (about 6 - 7 miles) it gets better but not as smooth as before. I've been increasing my gear shifts trying to figure out when it occurs and at what revs but it seams consistent across all reasonable ranges. When i return home on the night it stills feels poor (when compared to before) but without the problems of the morning.
The best way i can describe it is "clunky". I cant feel any unusual vibration through the gear stick or the clutch. The bite point of the clutch also seams to be the same. I can get reverse fine and during driving its fine, throttle is just as responsive, its just on gear change that its changed. It appears to need increased pressure to take it out of gear then increased again to put it in the next. The only bit that feels normal is the half an inch lateral movement while it is in neutral between shifts! I think its the same whether I shift up or down.
There are no warning lights on, engine and gear box don't appear to be making any unusual noises.
So before I go to the garage - anyone suggestions to whats up with my car?
Thanks