The Fabia gearchange has been intermittently notchy and obstructive since last summer. It seemed to be worse in hot weather. Main problem was that during manoeuvring the change form 1st to reverse was sometimes poor and sometimes almost impossible to get into gear. The car even got locked into gear one time. Clutch drag was the most probable cause but the local dealer was unable to reproduce the problem.

Finally got the problem diagnosed at the supplying dealer as clutch drag. They have now replaced the clutch and touch wood, the problem seems to have been resolved.

The clutch that came out showed some odd signs of picking up around the inner edge of the friction plate on one side. I am guessing that a distorted friction plate was the cause of the problems. This seems odd as the car is not abused.

Chris

Hope that's it resolved now then Chris. Fingers crossed.

Does seem odd that. Manufacturing defect?

Steve

Hope that's it resolved now then Chris. Fingers crossed.

Does seem odd that. Manufacturing defect?

Steve

I guess so. The friction plate did not show any signs of overheating or abuse. The clutch is never abused by me or the students, so duff plate would be my guess. Hopefully, the plate being distorted is the cause of te problem, not a symptom.

The biting point was very low on this car from new and is much higher now.

Chris

When you describe it as impossible to get into gear, is that even after de-clutching again and or selecting a different gear first and then going back to the one you want?

When you describe it as impossible to get into gear, is that even after de-clutching again and or selecting a different gear first and then going back to the one you want?

Sometimes, de-clutching between gears would sort it, other times could take 2 or 3 stabs to get into reverse from any forward gear, other times it would be fine. Learners doing the turn in the road (3 point turn) would notice it most. Definitely temperature increase made it worse. First few manoeuvres of the day would be fine, but after than, de-clutching was a must.

Been doing manoeuvres all morning with no problem, so so far.

Chris

sounds like clutch drag to me... in my vRS the clutch bit about 3/4 of the way up the pedal travel, and always did (though the whole 80k) and gever gave any problem.... sounds like a faulty part...

Sometimes, de-clutching between gears would sort it, other times could take 2 or 3 stabs to get into reverse from any forward gear, other times it would be fine. Learners doing the turn in the road (3 point turn) would notice it most. Definitely temperature increase made it worse. First few manoeuvres of the day would be fine, but after than, de-clutching was a must.

Been doing manoeuvres all morning with no problem, so so far.

Chris

I've got a similar problem in a non-skoda. Like you, the supplying dealer can't (be bothered to) replicate the fault. I don't think mine is as serious as yours, only occasional problems with 1st and it usually won't go into reverse first time. Not a huge problem when you're not a learner but annoying for me nevertheless especially in a 12month old car.

the official line is the lack of a synchro on reverse causes it stick

i have also had this problem mine was hard selecting first and it was as if the car was trying to bolt forward took it into my dealer and diagnosed it as clutch drag and i had to rebook it so they could get the gearbox out and have a better look. they fitted a new clutch and touchwood its fine now

I've got a similar problem in a non-skoda. Like you, the supplying dealer can't (be bothered to) replicate the fault. I don't think mine is as serious as yours, only occasional problems with 1st and it usually won't go into reverse first time. Not a huge problem when you're not a learner but annoying for me nevertheless especially in a 12month old car.

the official line is the lack of a synchro on reverse causes it stick

what car is it ?

my instructors car has same problem when going to reverse from first it can take 2-3 goes at getting it in gear. i think they biting point is also fairly low. it aint a problem really. bit ennoying when trying to pull off a reverse move swiftly apart from that.

my instructors car has same problem when going to reverse from first it can take 2-3 goes at getting it in gear. i think they biting point is also fairly low. it aint a problem really. bit ennoying when trying to pull off a reverse move swiftly apart from that.

This was becoming a problem. Sometimes the box would simply not go into first or reverse, even with a de clutch and on more than one occasion, the box got stuck in gear and needed to have the engine switched off to get it into neutral. Hopefully sorted now.

Chris

what car is it ?

Mazda3. I've asked you before and you suggested clutch drag in a PM:thumbup: After the cold snap in Feb it was playing up but it cleared and now its doing it again. Just been serviced and apparently there's nothing wrong with it. Whilst its intermittant and resolved by de-clutching again/slipping into another gear there's not a lot else I can do.

[/end post hijack]

ChrisGB, hope your problems are sorted now.

Mazda3. I've asked you before and you suggested clutch drag in a PM:thumbup: After the cold snap in Feb it was playing up but it cleared and now its doing it again. Just been serviced and apparently there's nothing wrong with it. Whilst its intermittant and resolved by de-clutching again/slipping into another gear there's not a lot else I can do.

[/end post hijack]

ChrisGB, hope your problems are sorted now.

Seems to be sorted. Yours could be caused by warped clutch plate, or cylinder creep if hydraulic.

Chris

Mazda3. I've asked you before and you suggested clutch drag in a PM:thumbup: After the cold snap in Feb it was playing up but it cleared and now its doing it again. Just been serviced and apparently there's nothing wrong with it. Whilst its intermittant and resolved by de-clutching again/slipping into another gear there's not a lot else I can do.

[/end post hijack]

ChrisGB, hope your problems are sorted now.

yes , i remember now , i'd tell them you're not happen with it , explain that you are worried about future gear damage and surely it will be cheaper for Mazda to replace the clutch than repairing a gearbox and replacing a clutch

yes , i remember now , i'd tell them you're not happen with it , explain that you are worried about future gear damage and surely it will be cheaper for Mazda to replace the clutch than repairing a gearbox and replacing a clutch

A dragging clutch can rip the sh!t out of the synchromesh.

Chris