Crunchy Cavalier gear change.

J reg. 1600 petrol 5-speed Cavalier saloon. Changing up through N/1st./2nd. it's sometimes hard to get it in gear. Changing down, ditto. Sometimes a slight crunch changing gear. No other nasty noises. I put some oil in the gearbox a while ago, but the difficulty in changing has got worse in the last fortnight. No idea how much oil should be in there, or how to check the level, I put in C. 1/3 litre of light EP80. Any ideas what's up?

Reply to
Chris Bacon
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Check the clutch cable adjustment.

Reply to
Conor

sounds like it needs new clutch if cable is ok

Reply to
robin

you should have filled through the bung that is by the driveshaft, fill it till fluid comes back out, also instead of ep80/90 try ATF oil in the box instead, but as Connor says check the clutch adjustment as well.

Reply to
reg

Reply to
Malc

ATF? automatic transmission fluid? Shirley EP90 or 80 would be the correct stuff to use?

Reply to
Malc

you can run Vauxhall gearboxes on atf in fact fords run on a * similar * fluid as well, haven't got the spec to hand at the mo.

Reply to
reg

Er no, they run on a proper 75/90 gear oil.

Reply to
Chris Street

Have you checked the clutch cable adjustment? - what you describe are classic symptoms of an out-of-adjustment cable. Its a piece of cake, but you do need e.g. the Haynes manual for the right measurements etc. of clutch travel measured at the pedal.

Reply to
R. Murphy

Another possibility that hasn't been mentioned is a worn synchro. Try double declutching. If that cures it, it might very well be the problem. Mike.

Reply to
Mike G

Most likely the clutch isn't clearing properly.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Perhaps most manual boxes use something like ATF these days. Some makers changed to it with exactly the same gearbox.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

That will also mask a dragging clutch if done correctly.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Not sure. I had a Ford Escort that needed 'special' geabox oil.

sponix

Reply to
sPoNiX

Probably an MT75 box like my Focus then, it's a special spec but it's still a gear oil. Ford have now started speccing a 75/90 Castrol oil as a direct replacement anyway.

Reply to
Chris Street

True, but he only mentions dificulty in changes between 1st and 2nd. I'd have thaught a dragging clutch would show signs in all gearchanges. I still think a worn synchro is a strong possibility though, bearing in mind it's year. I'd soon know which it is, if I had the car. :-) Mike.

Reply to
Mike G

A dragging clutch seems to effect the low gears more. Dunno why.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

But on a J reg Cavalier?

Reply to
Malc

Both Rover and Jaguar did it in the early '80s.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

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