Been on here a few times about the wife's Citigo, 66 plate Monte Carlo and 23K miles, and gently driven, regularly 60 mpg.

The 'sticky clutch' and gearbox rattle in neutral/changing gear is back. Pressing the clutch pedal down stops the rattle to silence.

The sticky clutch seems to come and go which seems strange.

Last few days standing still came to use it for Sainsburys errands and the box is stiff to go into 1st.

Other gears OK.

Reverse will slightly crunch whilst engaging.

It's done this many times in the last 3 years, but the reluctance to 1st is far worse yesterday/today. Can't believe it could be synchro on 1st gear, such low miles and such gentle use.

To add injury, the fan unit under the dash has failed again, about 6 months since fitting a new one (all but 4th fan speeds dead). New one with 5 year warrantee on its way.

Getting close to selling up, but esp worried about the clutch/box. Changing either is a bad thought, but any ideas please?

The day after my post and the car's box is behaving perfectly...and I've done nothing.

Did so yesterday too despite the colder overnight temperature (car sleeps outside).

Service is due in 2 months time, so will have the gearbox oil changed too.

On 15/11/2025 at 12:06, 911hillclimber said:

To add injury, the fan unit under the dash has failed again, about 6 months since fitting a new one (all but 4th fan speeds dead)

If it’s still working at top speed then it’s more likely the resistor pack than the motor.

On 15/11/2025 at 12:06, 911hillclimber said:

The 'sticky clutch' and gearbox rattle in neutral/changing gear is back. Pressing the clutch pedal down stops the rattle to silence.

The sticky clutch seems to come and go which seems strange.

The crunchy reverse gear engagement and baulking into first suggest that the clutch is dragging at times rather than a gearbox problem. Where are various reasons this might happen. In a car that is lightly used and maybe stands for days at a time it’s possible that there’s a bit of rust on the gearbox input shaft spline stopping the clutch driven plate sliding smoothly on it, meaning it doesn’t always fully release.

Thank you for your thoughts.

I have to agree.

The very day after the issue returned it disappeared; the crunching/resistance went, the rattle on tick-over in neutral still there, stopping as soon as you press the pedal down.

I have found in the past that when the sticking occurs I can slip the clutch a little and all clears, ie that rust has been cleared off the friction surfaces etc.

Also though, if I find the box sticking, I simply press the pedal down and select 2nd (or 3rd or 4th etc) and then immediately into a nice smooth action to 1st. The problem does not happen again for some time. Same action for reverse, pedal down, select 3rd or 4th and it slides to revers smooth and quiet.

Since my last post it has happened once.

It is hard to notice a sequence here, it is not time dependent, seems low/high temp has no effect, ie summer/winter.

Pity really, the noisey box and the sticking detracts from a good efficient car.