Daewoo Lacetti

Hank_Marvin

Wondering, if i'm expecting either a clutch problem or a gearbox problem coming up with my car because recently, every now & then, when i select reverse gear i get a crunching noise so stop and select reverse again and it go's in fine. Any ideas??. BTW it only seems to happen when i've been out in the car and done a few miles[20 odd +] and never when the car is cold, don't know if thats relevant or just a useless bit of information lol..

Car is a 54 Lacetti 1.6sx hatchback with under 30,00 miles on clock. Is either the clutch or gearbox a problem on this car also were do you check the clutch fluid level!!.

jd82

This car uses old Vauxhall/GM/Opel running gear so I suspect the clutch might be cable operated but I am not sure. If it does use a cable then there will be no clutch fluid.

It sounds more like linkage problem than a clutch issue. My Corsa was always a pain to get into reverse, the trick is to keep the clutch down for a few seconds before engaging reverse and it should be a lot smoother.

bigjl

Try putting the car in say a forward gear when stationary then put it straight into reverse, there is no syncromesh or reverse in most cars, some Fords do though.

I used to have to do this in my Cavalier years ago. And a couple of Renaults and a 405.

Let us know if that sorts it, though if it only did it now and again why spend any money on it, though I still think the sticking it in a forward gear before reverse will sort it.

sassy_one

It may be that the cable is getting hot and causing the problem, had it on a 306 I had and when it got warm the engine the cable would and getting it to go into second/third/forth was almost, impossible to do!

jaydeeuk1

I had the exact problem with my old daewoo lanos 1.6

As suggested above, the only way I could get smooth operation was to first press the clutch down, put it in first, and then move to reverse and drive off. Alternatively, with engine off put in reverse, clutch down and then start engine.

Rest of gears were fine and put it down to a quirk rather than a problem. Never bothered to investigate exact cause, but was like that in the 3 years I had the car and had no other problems with it. Eventually putting it in first then reverse became natural, I still catch myself doing it on my toyota iq!

The lanos used rods rather than cables, probably same on lacetti

Hank_Marvin

Well i've had a look at the online manual and in it it says The clutch/brake fluid go's into the clutch/brake reservoir, then mentions something about a clutch master cylinder resevoir.The manual is for all Lacetti's not just my model. I've looked under the bonnet and i have 4 reservoir's so one must be the clutch one, the manual says something about the Ive looked to see if any needed any fluid and all were above the minimum.

I've also took the over mat out because it sometimes works it's way to the side off the footwell and thought it might be stopping the clutch pedal going fully down. Could it be that the gearbox oil is low or worn and it's getting too hot and making the reverse gear selection not go in smooth?? It's def something thats only appeared as ive had car 2 & 1/2 years and it has never done that. The 4 reservoirs i have are a washer bottle/brake fluid/power steering fluid and another in the top left off the engine bay as you look at the engine from the front.

jaydeeuk1

That'll be coolant one then.

There should be a dipstick on the gearbox to check oil, no doubt in an awkward place. If the gear selector rods are worn, that would cause it have problems engaging when warm and is probably where I would look first.

If you do intend to drain oil, I don't think there's a plug for it, probably involves removing the sump.

Hank_Marvin

Make that 5 then lol coz i missed the coolant out. Any other symptoms for diagnosing the gear selector rods Jay??

jaydeeuk1

Usually difficulty in engaging gears, and then eventually it comes off at one end, leaving no gears at all
Might be able to adjust, but a mechanic will give you a better idea. But it could be one of those things that will be fine for years and never get worse.

Is there much play in the gear leaver when in gear?


Have you tried putting in first gear and then reverse just to see if it still occurs?

Hank_Marvin

Jay don't use car much, but from tomorrow i'll keep a note off everything. I'm looking around for another car so this may push me along quicker. Don't fancy a massive bill coz i'll have to keep it then lol..

jaydeeuk1

If it is worn gear selector rods then it won't (or shouldn't rather!) be expensive. If its like my old Tipo where I had to replace one, the part was £10 and took me about 15 mins to fit it, and I'm useless at car mechanics. Was plenty of space in engine bay and easy to access, no idea if its as easy to access in a lacetti, but I'd be surprised if you were charged more than 30 mins to an hours labour tops at a garage.