Hi

I wonder if anybody can give me some guidance here. I am next to useless and although I can do really basic stuff, anything else is beyond me!

My Octavia 1.9 diesel estate sat unused for a few months for lots of reasons. Got into it yesterday and discovered I cannot get it into reverse. Indeed, I can only get it into 1st and 2nd gears by pushing down on the gearshift.

I'm guessing this means the linkage is either gummed up, bent or broken, but wondered if anybody could provide nay further guidance. It will have to be a garage job, so what should I be asking them?

Thanks

Not sure if we are talking the same problem, but when I brought my 2nd hand octavia, the gears were very stiff and notchy, but not as bad as yours.

I took it in for a change of gearbox oil which had transformed my previous VAG gearbox, he also removed the cables from the gearbox end and lubed the linkage as much as he could. Two years after all hunky dory.

I think you might be able to DIY. Search YouTube for "Dieselgeek shifter adjustment".

There are a couple of videos there that explain the process of adjusting the gear linkage. If you can't see yourself doing it then as you say you will know it's not a big job.

I had a similar problem see this thread

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/241482-stiff-and-creaky-gearchange-when-hot/

"Look at where the linkage fits on to the top of the gear box (in engine bay) and take it off. The pin is surrounded by 2 plastic collets: take them out and clean out the hole where the collets fit with emery cloth and refit.

The problem was that the gear change knuckle is made of some kind of alloy which corrodes and pushes the collets onto the pin stopping it working. So the gunge needs cleaning out."

"Then once I'm certain its not the box maybe I'll go for a gearbox oil change." Never needed to!

BTW my local SKoda branch charge £40 for one cable and £30 for the other. They tell me they have NEVER ordered any - so the cables must be pretty reliable.