Rover 45 1st Gear Difficult to Engage

I don't know about Rovers, but this can be a "feature" with many manuals.

It's usually caused by the first-gear selector sliding sleeve having an alignment with the syncro ring which blocks entry. If that's the cause, just momentarily release and reapply the clutch in neutral to create a new alignment position.

John

It may be a clutch rather than a gearbox problem. If the clutch is not releasing properly gears can be difficult to engage, particularly noticeable on first gear where the car is stationary. The other gears are engaged on the move when a non-disengaging clutch may not be so apparent.

Try adjusting the clutch release.

Rob Graham

Good point. If it's clutch adjustment I'd expect grinding noises when selecting reverse.

John

Yes, I would too. The OP didn't mention reverse but maybe he didn't think of it or he doesn't use reverse - rather like Tony Blair :-)

Rob

Thanks Fellas, I do use reverse gear but not that much and yes that is awkward to engage as well so maybe it's a clutch fault? I did take out an RAC warranty when I bought the car so maybe it's covered in that?

Quite possibly.

Rob

Rob thanks for the advice. I took the car to a clutch specialist who told me it was the gearbox as the clutch is a sealed unit and there is nothing to adjust?