Hymer 544 Fiat Ducato 2.5D - cant engage a gear (1 Viewer)

[Rich0562]

I own a Hymer 554 / Fiat Ducato 2.5D it has been left stood for 18 months on hard standing. I have changed the oil/oil filter air filter and battery and it started first time engine runs as normal. However I can't engage a gear when I tried reverse it crunches and wont go in.
It is a left hand drive with gear lever on dash.
Is this a clutch or gearbox issue - any advise is welcome. Thanks

 

[Figaro]

Sounds like clutch not disengaging to me but I know nothing !
I'm sure the techies will be along to help very soon.
Good luck

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Possible slave and / or master cylinder seized up ?

Try pumping the clutch pedal several times & see if there's any difference ?

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[JJ]

After my apprenticeship (1968) of 5 years in a big Manchester garage I haven't done much spanner wielding, except on my own vehicles, so I don't know nearly as much as others but...

Can you select gears with the engine off?

If so I suggest, I suspect the clutch driven plate is just "stuck" on the clutch cover assembly.

Depending on where you are parked (H&S), I would engage 1st gear with the engine off... take off the handbrake, and being ready to slap on the foot brake, I would start the van in first gear and see if the "twist" effect frees off the plate allowing the clutch to work normally again.

This is what I would try but I am not suggesting anyone else does!!!

JJ

 

[Rich0562]

I will pumping clutch (thanks MH 55) and will also try your suggestion JJ my only worry with starting in gear then applying brakes is - will the brakes work after standing for so long - I dont want to drive forward and not be able to stop quick as there is another MH parked opposite and a steep bank!!
regards

 

[scotjimland]

Also suspect the clutch disc has sized onto the pressure plate or flywheel

try JJ's suggestion.. not that he suggested it of course ..

@JJ nice disclaimer..

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[gus-lopez]

Yes as the other's have stated definitely the clutch disc stuck to the flywheel. Had it myself years ago.

 

[scotjimland]

I will pumping clutch (thanks MH 55) and will also try your suggestion JJ my only worry with starting in gear then applying brakes is - will the brakes work after standing for so long - I dont want to drive forward and not be able to stop quick as there is another MH parked opposite and a steep bank!!
regards

ok.. try this.. found on another site .. http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/clutch/ct_104.htm


The simplest procedure can be done in your garage in a few seconds. It assumes that the brakes are working, that the clutch hydraulics are working, the starter motor works, and that the battery is charged.

Sit in the driver's seat. Pump the brake pedal a couple of times and hold the brakes on firmly with your right foot. Depress the clutch pedal fully with your left foot. Put the transmission in 4th gear (least likely to drive the car away), and engage the starter for about one second.

If you're lucky the torque from the starter motor may break the flywheel free from the clutch disk, and the engine will crank over normally. If that doesn't work in the first try or two, move on to Plan B.

 

[Rich0562]

Thanks for all feedback its appreciated - I will try tomorrow morning.

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[Jaws]

Years ago this was a fairly common issue..
I used to put the vehicle in gear and turn it over..
once the engine starts drive off ..

get down the road a wee way and depress clutch while blipping the throttle
Did not always work but it worked enough to make it well worth a try !

 

[Rich0562]

Tried the Hymer today - rocked it back and forth just to try and get things free, depressed the clutch once and it went in gear without engine running, started engine and went into gear ok and drove off without having to free brakes (very surprised at that) it all seemed fine. just need to change tyres check brakes and get it mot'd now.
Thanks for all replies