Hi, my daughter has a 07 mark 2 1.4 petrol. Suddenly it was difficult then impossible to put into gear. I have checked the travel of the slave cylinder and the actuation fork. The fork is operating fully moving the bearing full distance. I am wondering could the problem be wear on the end of the pressure rod (push rod), I. É. not disengaging the pressure plate? Thanks, joe

Could be the plastic linkage on top of gearbox that has seized or the cast weight is loose or worn on its spindle. Have a Seat altea that the plastic link that the cables attach to had seized up and couldn't select 3rd,4th,5th.

Looks like this

Its unlikely but could also be a seized gear selector cable, If everything is moving freely then might be worth resetting cables.

Thanks, I'll check those. It's strange how it happened suddenly which suggests that it's not due to wear as that would be gradual

It could the cables that have moved/jumped or hopefully not a gearbox problem. Make sure they are both attached as its not unknown for the plastic ends to break. You should be able to move selector on top of Gbox up/down and left/right without cables attached to check that its not the Box/selector unit thats seized. There are a few tutorials on how to reset cables online. It involves locking selecor on top of Gbox and also gear lever by inserting I think 8mm drill/rod then reattach cables.

Alasdair

Thanks Alasdair

Found the link to youtube that shows how to set cables. Its a 5mm not 8mm pin/drill

Alasdair

Thanks Alasdair, that seems simple even for me

Hope its something simple. Check the brake/clutch fluid level isnt dropping as well in case theres a leak in master/slave.

Alasdair

I have checked the gearlever linkages and it all seems fine. It's going into gear with the engine stopped. I've also checked the master and slave cylinders and they are fine. I've removed the large round blanking disk from the end of the gearbox. The small lever arm that forces the bearing and long push rod that opens the clutch pressure plate and it's operating as it should with full travel. The only thing else I can think of is the long pushrod that may be worn down a few mm.

If it goes into gear no problem with engine off the Gbox should be fine and selector mechanism good. If you have reset cables then it does sound like a clutch problem. Wonder if the slave is starting to fail and only pushing so far before fluid leaks past the seals. On mine its an external slave but actuator rod is internal so cant see if its leaking. If its the same as mine I managed to change mine without Gbox removal. Could also be a failing master but I would start with slave. Might be worth bleeding clutch system first in case theres any air in there.

Alasdair

When I grenaded my Fabia gearbox, some bellhousing debris (actually large chunks) hit the pressure plate and bent it. Even though the clutch had only 8,000 km on it, I had to replace it (fun DIY) due to that it wasn't possible to get out of gear while the car was running.
It could be something similar, like a faulty clutch sleeve or a pressure plate at the end of its useful life. With everyday use, the forks that are pressed by the clutch release bearing wear out, making it impossible to select gears.

It may be that the clutch/release bearing has had it if nothing else helps. I would change the slave anyway as if its the clutch I would be changing slave at the same time. It may also be the clutch plate has stuck to either the flywheel or release bearing has stuck. You could try put in first gear with engine off and then use starter to try and jolt it free. Try first with foot on clutch in first and if it tries to move forward the clutch isnt disengaging for some reason Careful it doesn't start and shoot forward.

Alasdair

Thanks Alasdair and Jack, I couldn't find anything wrong on the outside of the box so I decided to remove it. I suspect it's the pressure plate fingers that have caved it. I'll let you know what I find

Does the Gbox selector select gears if you move it manually. Hope its just a clutch problem. Now you have removed box should be fairly straight forward. As you said it happened suddenly so hopefully then problem is fairly obvious.

Alasdair

Yes removed the clutch and some of the fingers are separated. I now need to order a clutch kit but even this is a mystery. The pressure plate I removed has 24 fingers, yet when I search the suppliers they state 28 fingers. Maybe the manufacturer altered the design for some reason

I fitted a sachs clutch to my sons fabia but didnt count fingers. They may have changed design or perhaps different manufacturers? Not sure if yours has a DMF or solid plus I would replace slave cylinder while your at it. There not that expensive and last thing you want is for the old one to start leaking with a brand new clutch. Glad its a clutch problem and nothing too major.

Alasdair

Are you sure they state 28 fingers and are not refering to splines on plate? Reckon the important part would be diameter and spline number.

Alasdair

Oh,. Never thought of that, I'll check