Fooked Gearbox?

My omega does this if its been sitting in the garage for a while you also cant get it into reverse if the engines running. I reckon its because the friction plate is picking up or rusting on to the pressure plate and spinning the input shaft of the gearbox thus not allowing you to select a gear. If you can select 1st gear before you start the engine and then let the clutch slip for a couple of seconds you will probably cure the problem immediately if so i wouldnt worry to much

First and easiest check should be on the linkage - on my Cavalier I found a link pin had sheared (and was about to drop out) in the engine bay, 5 minute to replace and lo-and-behold I could find first and reverse again. Out of interest, on the Golf, is 1st and reverse in the same position - but with a moving collar to select reverse - like on the Cav? - if so, my money's on the linkage - and that's the easy one to fix)

Regards

Mike

Hiya Mike

Yep 1st and reverse are on the same side. I'm going to have a wee nose tomorrow and the linkage, i was going to do it today but that was taken up changing the front shocks and top mounts.

More likely it's oil leaked onto the friction plate causing a gum which glues the plates together.

Rob Graham

I cured a similar problem by adjusting the clutch cable.

Tom