Gear box problem (i think)

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

Reply to
eyup
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In message , eyup wrote

It may be something as simple as a broken spring. See

Reply to
Alan

Please please please let that be it!!! Clutch return spring went 2 month ago also.

Many thanks for the reply. Dunno why didnt see it on google search though :-s I'll be having a look at weekend

Reply to
eyup

It doesnt sound internal- sounds more like a partially seized selector cable 'tween 'lever and 'box.

Tim..

Reply to
Tim (remove obvious)

the snapped neutral gear spring is common on this year, however if this was at fault(which i dont think it is)it would be there all the time,regardless of engine temp(syptoms are mostly 2nd to 3rd,ie no neutral position)

i think your problem is, wots known as clutch drag(when you press the clutch its not releasing fully hense the difficult gear changes). the cure?... a new clutch assy

Reply to
ford_technical_

yep its most common on 1st and reverse

the price of the part(from a dealer)is err, let me think about £68, this comes without the bearing/slave cylinder(if needed) which costs about £45 and about 3hrs labour book time +VAT

Reply to
ford_technical_

Thanks very much for your replies. Gonna have to look at getting it fixed before any more damage is done. My Focus becoming a drag now. May have to upgrade ;-) ST170 looks tempting ;-)

Reply to
eyup

No, no no no!!

Tim..

Reply to
Tim..

???

Reply to
eyup

Thirsty as hell, very little faster in day to day driving than the normal

2.0, and you soon bore of the need to rev it past 5000rpm to get anything resembling acceleration.

One of the rare STDCi's is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar infront of the petrol driven ST and looks the same.

Tim..

Reply to
Tim..

Fair enough. Guess I'll have to have a go first. Wanted the 2 Litre but couldnt find one for sale near me on the second hand market so ended up with the 1.8.

Reply to
eyup

I found the 1.8 perfectly brisk enough 95% of the time, and 35mpg at the same time you cant go wrong.

Tim. .

Reply to
Tim..

I've got the 1.8i Zetec. X Reg 2000. It gets 34MPG and I never go slow, on very windy roads. Overtaking everything up to Chrysler Crossfires no problem. Have to rev it above 4000 tho to get anywhere. 2nd gets u very quick up to 56MPH at 6000 revs (Road Angel GPS speed). Whack it into

3rd and you're past most cars (3rd gets to 90MPH). Get the odd Audi TT that downshifts as u pass, but it passes them too because they're crap drivers with too much money and slow reactions.

I'm interested in what tyres are best on the Focus for wet driving. I've put Firestone TZ200's on the front. There are Toyo RoadPro 610's on the back and I think they're a bit crap.

When I bought the car from the dealer they switched the Firestone 700s on the front for Mega Optimas and the car went straight on at every wet corner and roundabout. So I've had to complain to the dealer but because of the danger I had to immediately on the wet day get something on the front [TZ200s]. They've not slipped at all yet. The TZ200's are the replacement for the Firehawk 700s.

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On Thursday I'm getting another set of TZ200's for the back so that I can feel confident about wet driving again.

Is that a good choice?

BTW, when I first had the car (May 2006) I found it difficult to get

3rd gear. I was crashing the stick into the H block all the time. Upgrading from a Fiesta that had silky fast gears. After a week or two I've finally got used to the position of 3rd in the Focus. I will get it checked out at service in 4000 miles time.
Reply to
Mr BAM

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