Help needed ! Problem with gearbox or clutch...

[jaro]

Hello again

Today I started my 1966 1.8 Coupe after 6 months and it started in second try... when I wanted to get it out of my garage to wash it up, it would not go in-to any gear... the clutch cable is fine and so is the clutch lever (that goes to gearbox)... it all look and moves allright from the outside of the engine bay...
When the engine is not running, I can shift all the gears... when I start the engine with the gearbox in neutral position, then I can not put it in any gear because it wont go... well it goes, but the sound is the same as if you try to change gears without the use of a clutch... so I guess something got stuck in a gearbox...

Any suggestions ? Or must I take the gearbox and the engine out of the car ?

Thanks for any reply!

Jaro

[Bert Ewalds]

Did you check whether the clutch dissengages properly ?
After 6 months of storage the clutch may be binding, this means that even when you hit the clutch pedal,the plate remains stuck to the flywheel
You can test as follows
-put the car in neutral and try to push it, see whether it moves, brakes may be binding a bit as well
-next put it in a gear (a forwrd one if pushing forward and reverse if you push it backwards
Hit the clutch and have a helper push the car, if you cannot move it now, the clutch is stuck

Possible remedy
Get the car out with some free space
Start the engine in neutral and let it warm up
switch off
Engage 1st or 2nd gear, depress the clutch and start it
The car will bounce forward on either the starter motor or( if the engine catches) on the engine
Repeat this a fwe times.
Chanches are that the clutch frees up due to the jerking movement
If not, you will have to rmove your clutch mechanism

[Brian Long]

Jaro,
Be careful to note Bert's comment re using a forward gear when pushing forwards etc otherwise you run the risk of having the timing chain jump.
See my article in the Home Page of this site re fitting a travel stop to the timing chain tensioner.
Happy Flavia-ing!
Brian Long.

[jaro]

Thank you both for your help !
Problem solved... I just disconnected the fuel pump and then put the car in 1st gear and did a few turns with a starter motor ...after 2 or 3 turns I heard a sound in a gearbox... Now it is OK

Thanks again, Jaro