I've got a skoda octavia ambiente 2002 1.9 diesel tdi and for some reason It gets stuck in first gear.

I have to near stall it to get it out again.

Also it has difficulty in getting into reverse. To get round this I put it into a different first and then it going it smoothly.

Everyone I have spoke to tells me oh it could be this and could be that so really I need to take it to a garage.

Difference is they are going to need at least 2 hours to take out a gearbox and two hours to put it back in. By them standards it sounds like a costly job.

So I'm just asking the members of the forum for any help or advice more so above the problem.

try a few things first

1: align the linkage, follow this link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9ggefOjAE

2: gearbox oil change: use proper fully synthetic stuff from dealer, they are sensitive to this.

3: test where the biting point is on the clutch, is it right near the floor?

I recon a simple linkeage alignment would help alot (1)

Hope these help

If you try with the engine off, can you easily get it into 1st and reverse?

MINE'S SA,E BUT DEFO NEEDS CABLES SETTING

Try double clutching

Try all of above aswell

Possibly release bearing

As Lofty says, but I'd go (3), (1), (2) because if the clutch needs bleeding or is worn out, linkage adjustment and new gearbox oil won't help.

Also there's the possibility of engine shunt, so I'd check if the dogbone is worn.