Rover 214 - jumps out of 5th gear

Probably but it might just be the gear linkage needs adjusting, worth a try first.

Does it stay in properly if you hold it in 5th while you bring up the clutch?

--Nick.

No. It pushes back and I can hear the gears grinding. That said, it only seems to jump out when I have my foot on the throttle. If I let off the throttle (going downhill for instance) it will stay in gear until I need to give it some throttle again.

That sounds more like the engine mounting bushes are shot, perhaps coupled with a badly adjusted gear linkage.

When you accelerate the engine is being pushed backwards.. pushing the gear linkage backwards.. and out of 5th gear, when going down a hill the engine is being pulled forwards.. and thus pulling the linkage and keeping it in the gear.

pop the bonnet, rev the engine a bit and see how much it moves.. you could have a broken engine mount,

I had the same probolems with my gears in my Rover 214 not engaging properly etc. The fault was ENGINE MOUNTRING BOLT was missing. I got a new bolt fitted and it works a treat :o) Cost £20 tops

The message from "Michael Cotton" contains these words:

You're either very strong or you ain't moving it far or the mounting's duff.

Just been out and had a look. The engine moves when revved but how much is too much? I can also move the engine manually by pushing it back.

There is also a large lever, which I assume is the gear selector lever, on top of the gearbox which appears to be rubbing on the subframe beneath it. Perhaps this is indicative of the engine/gearbox unit having dropped due to worn mounting bush(es)?

It's not the former, I assure you! ;-) I think I'll go with the duff mounting theory, there is definate play in the nearside engine/gearbox mounting.

I had a very similar problem with an old Micra (K10 shape). It would jump out of gear when accelerating or coming off the accelerator. By the time I got it sorted, the gearstick could go back past the front of the handbrake :-)

Cheers

Dave P

Ive told you the answer its the engine mounting bolt!!! Get one fitted and its sirted!

Welll somewhat cheaper than a gearbox. there shouldn't be any real play in any of them, it's normally worth changing the lot in one go.

Well, the car's booked in to the garage on tuesday. I probably could replace the mounts myself but it's finding the spare time to do it. Besides that, at least the mechanic will be able to tell for sure whether it is the mounts or not. It would be sickening to replace all the mounts myself only to find that the problem lies elsewhere........

Thanks everyone for the advice :-)