Gearbox Advise needed (1 Viewer)

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Hi everyone we need help.
Last year our 2nd gear was fixed,then 4th gear went and was repaired.
Then the gearbox was faulty again so a recon gearbox was fitted.
One year later just before Dover 4th gear went again now second.
The gearbox yet again needs repairing.
Could this possibly be another problem other than the gearbox creating this problem?
Thanks for your time.
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,815
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
what were the various faults....crashing gears, jumping out, difficult selection.

seems very strange to have so many box faults over two seperate boxs.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

dave newell

Free Member
Oct 31, 2008
3,262
4,369
Telford, Shropshire
Funster No
4,733
MH
Home converted PVC
Exp
26yrs
It would help enormously if you could let us know what base vehicle your motorhome is built on and what year it is. Having said that the catalogue of gearbox issues you have experienced is extremely unusual. Were the repairs all carried out by the same company? If so I'd suggest you try somewhere else as a first step.

D.
 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Sorry everyone, the van is a 1999 coach built Fiat Ducato Auto Roller 1.9 turbo diesel.
Initially it was the syncromesh between second and 4th that went.
On the recon box we have now its the same problem.
Its crunching into 4th and second is near impossible to put it into.
So I am having to go from 1st to 3rd to 5th total nightmare.
The company that repaired the gearbox then fitted the recon box were Tameside Transmissions but the warranty has run out on the recon box.
They have agreed to look at the box if we get it removed but will naturally want paying on anything they do.
Although I must say all work they did the 1st time round was done through Glossop Caravans under our 1st year warranty.
All the repairs were unsatisfactory on the 1st gearbox the warranty company ended up sending a specialist investigator out to decide what action to take as the warranty company had paid for the initial repairs and like us were not happy.
It just seems strange that now the same fault has appeared.
In our minds its either poor quality recon work from the transmissions company or another fault!
We are not pointing our finger at anyone but we just want this problem sorted once and for all as a gearbox should not keep going wrong should it?
Could the clutch need changing?
We are Manchester based.
Thanks.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,815
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Tameside Transmissions have been in business for the last 15 years so they should know what they're doing.

please don't take this the wrong way but driving style could be a factor.....

can you press the pedal right to the floor ?...it may not be apparent to you, but you may not be pressing it right down every change.

do you change gear too quickly?....a commercial box is a lot more 'industrial' to a car box and changing too fast can overcome the syncro hubs and baulk rings causing damage.

as Dave Newell said...try somewhere else before you start throwing money at tameside again and if its within your ability, remove the box yourself and save a few hours labour charge.
 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Thanks for the reply.
No its not down to my driving style.
I have gone through everything since we had trouble with the gears on this van.
Even really nice slow changes full clutch down everything.
IM afraid Tameside Transmissions have proved themselves to be nothing but incompetent (even the transmissions specialist found their work bad)and no we wont be going back there.
 

Pikey Pete

Free Member
May 25, 2008
1,481
1,143
o
Funster No
2,818
MH
o
Exp
0
I would suggest that you learn the art of double de-clutching, until such time as you can get the gearbox repaired. The art once learned will stand you in good stead and reduce synchro. wear on future boxes.
As has been pointed out previously these boxes are commercial gearboxes, and need to be driven as such.

Pete:Cool:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

wireman

Free Member
Dec 18, 2007
147
0
Chesterfield
Funster No
1,040
MH
A Class
Exp
7
Double declutching will ruin a modern box; summat to do with dog clutches and synchro not liking it.
 

rainbow chasers

Free Member
Oct 30, 2009
3,680
1,725
Mid Cornwall
Funster No
9,132
MH
Various
Exp
9
Easy fix! Pop your bonnet, and trace the big rubber pipe that collects water from your scuttle panel (Grill below the windscreen)

Push this rubber pipe back BEHIND the gearbox. If you wish to extend it, or fasten it there, that is up to you!

What happens is, this pipe dumps all the rainwater on top on the gearbox and mount area - your box fills with water and everything breaks up. First sign is the flickering speedo needle, then first will get a little crunchy, then second will get awkward and reverse will need teasing in.

Common problem - dead easy fix!:winky:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

wireman

Free Member
Dec 18, 2007
147
0
Chesterfield
Funster No
1,040
MH
A Class
Exp
7
Papajohn: yes but Pete wrote this
The art once learned will stand you in good stead and reduce synchro. wear on future boxes.
and it was that bit I was alluding to...:thumb:
 

Pikey Pete

Free Member
May 25, 2008
1,481
1,143
o
Funster No
2,818
MH
o
Exp
0
In reply I have to say there is no evidence that I am aware of, that states that Double De-Declutching has an adverse effect on a Synchromesh Gearbox.

So if anyone has evidence, I'll change my driving technique, taught me in the Army when I was a mere sprog.

Pete:Cool:
 

wireman

Free Member
Dec 18, 2007
147
0
Chesterfield
Funster No
1,040
MH
A Class
Exp
7
because in a modern snchro box you will actually be making the synchro work harder than letting it do its work itself and this can lead to premature wear. Just think how a modern synchro works on a constant mesh gearbox when compared to a (stonger) non constant mesh box. If you blip the throtlle and create a further mismatch in speed the synchro has to work much harder.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Easy fix! Pop your bonnet, and trace the big rubber pipe that collects water from your scuttle panel (Grill below the windscreen)

Push this rubber pipe back BEHIND the gearbox. If you wish to extend it, or fasten it there, that is up to you!

What happens is, this pipe dumps all the rainwater on top on the gearbox and mount area - your box fills with water and everything breaks up. First sign is the flickering speedo needle, then first will get a little crunchy, then second will get awkward and reverse will need teasing in.

Common problem - dead easy fix!:winky:

I don't get this post, are you suggesting I actually do this or look at this as being the problem?
How do I double clutch?
What will happen if I just leave this and just drive it as is for now?
 
Nov 6, 2008
3,943
40,800
Ramsey, Isle of Man.
Funster No
4,847
MH
Coachmen Concord 300TS
Exp
8 years with an RV
Double de-clutch is, clutch pedal down, out of gear, clutch pedal up then down again, select next gear, clutch pedal up, twice as much legwork on the clutch pedal. Also, l have never heard of water getting into gearboxes this way, what happens when travelling through rainwater, and we get plenty of that in the UK? Finally, l have not heard of damage being done double de-clutching.
 

ginge61

Free Member
Oct 29, 2007
429
1
n/wales
Funster No
740
MH
c class/t25 vw
Exp
since noah was a lad lol
get something other than a fiat have a look at all the probs with gear boxs mostley fiat based

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

chris v

Free Member
Feb 14, 2009
28
0
Burton upon Trent
Funster No
5,629
Water in gearbox

Hi,
Water can and does get into the gearbox as the scuttle drain dumps the water right onto the gearbox and it can get in through the breather. I think it tends to happen when the van is parked up and also some motorhomes dump more roof water onto the windscreen than the original van. No manufacturer will admit there was ever a problem:Angry: but Fiat did fill all the webs on top of the box with silicone? I have had this problem but more to the point when I had a service at a Peugeot agent they filled the gearbox with the latest spec. oil which is thinner than standard gearbox oil and all the problems you have appeared on my van and vanished again when I had "normal" gearbox oil put in. I suggest that you have the gearbox drained and refilled with standard gearbox oil, don't go to a main agent, they charge about £60:Eeek:, then see if you have any improvement. Mine was sorted by Nottingham Clutch and Gearbox but they may be to far away from you,
Regards,
Chris.
 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Thanks for the replies.
I will change the gearbox oil to normal gearbox oil and see how I go.
The problem is even when looking at trading to a new motorhome a hell of a lot of them are fiat based vans.
 

dazzer

Free Member
Jul 30, 2007
1,620
102
In my house
Funster No
41
MH
Virtual RV!!
Exp
10 Years
Thanks for the replies.
I will change the gearbox oil to normal gearbox oil and see how I go.
The problem is even when looking at trading to a new motorhome a hell of a lot of them are fiat based vans.

Thats because there a cheap good looking base vehicle.

You get what you pay for.......would you but a Fiat car?????? (no neither would !!!!!!):ROFLMAO:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

rainbow chasers

Free Member
Oct 30, 2009
3,680
1,725
Mid Cornwall
Funster No
9,132
MH
Various
Exp
9
Sorry, not looked at this post for a while.

The water ingress causes the gearbox to fail. Try emptying the gearbox oil, refreshing and see what she is like. If the problem persists, then it is rebuild time.

Whichever, do shove the drain pipe well away from the gearbox!:thumb:
 

scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,086
9,025
Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
15
MH
Timberland
You get what you pay for.......would you but a Fiat car?????? (no neither would !!!!!!):ROFLMAO:

Well, I have .. so there .. :roflmto:

Seicento Sporting 1997 , paid £650 including the A frame..

bought as a toad 18 months ago, but now used as daily transport, rust free, 90k miles on the speedo, , does 45 - 50 mpg and never misses a beat .. cheap as chips to insure and yes, I would buy another.. :thumb:

Link Removed
 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Thats because there a cheap good looking base vehicle.

You get what you pay for.......would you but a Fiat car?????? (no neither would !!!!!!):ROFLMAO:
Isn'ta transit?
Iveco?
Don't VW's have problems?
Surely anything no matter how cheap should'nt go twice in less than 4000 miles?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
Well, I have .. so there .. :roflmto:

Seicento Sporting 1997 , paid £650 including the A frame..

bought as a toad 18 months ago, but now used as daily transport, rust free, 90k miles on the speedo, , does 45 - 50 mpg and never misses a beat .. cheap as chips to insure and yes, I would buy another.. :thumb:

Link Removed
Yep we had a fiat punto fantastic car.
 

dazzer

Free Member
Jul 30, 2007
1,620
102
In my house
Funster No
41
MH
Virtual RV!!
Exp
10 Years
Well, I have .. so there .. :roflmto:

Seicento Sporting 1997 , paid £650 including the A frame..

bought as a toad 18 months ago, but now used as daily transport, rust free, 90k miles on the speedo, , does 45 - 50 mpg and never misses a beat .. cheap as chips to insure and yes, I would buy another.. :thumb:

Link Removed

And at £650 for 18 months use its money well spent but if it developed an expensive fault would you get it fixed or scrap it??:winky:
 

dazzer

Free Member
Jul 30, 2007
1,620
102
In my house
Funster No
41
MH
Virtual RV!!
Exp
10 Years
Isn'ta transit?
Iveco?
Don't VW's have problems?
Surely anything no matter how cheap should'nt go twice in less than 4000 miles?

Of course they all have problems of 1 sort or another but the simple fact of the matter is that its a light weight van which when converted is probably running at its full capacity which unlike a delivery van (that is driven empty for about 1/2 its life) is only ever going to get heavier with "stuff" that you put in it.

Ive said it for years and will continue to do so till the day they put me in a box...... most Euro motorhomes are put on base vehicles not fit for the job. We need to take a lesson from the USA as far as building motorhomes and put them on a chassis with a suitable engine and running gear that has a lot of spare capacity and is not at 95% of it weight limit before anyone get inside it.:winky:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
But it wouldn't develop an expensive fault as it cant as everything about fiat car spares including gearboxes are cheap until you get onto the bloody vans!:cry:
 

dazzer

Free Member
Jul 30, 2007
1,620
102
In my house
Funster No
41
MH
Virtual RV!!
Exp
10 Years
But it wouldn't develop an expensive fault as it cant as everything about fiat car spares including gearboxes are cheap until you get onto the bloody vans!:cry:

Cant you find a decent secondhand box for it?? Or are they as rare as rocking horse droppings because they fail on a regular basis??
 
OP
OP
C

creativeglenn

Free Member
Jan 12, 2010
34
0
Manchester
Funster No
9,912
MH
Hi Top
Exp
8 years
I should be able to yes but there's a but.
I am looking at changing the very much under powered 1.9 td engine thats clearly not up to the job to a 2.5 and gearbox at the same time preferably becasue as you mention its working its nuts off especially up hills as it working at full or near full capacity.

There must be a flip side to your theory though Daz as otherwise why would they keep on doing it year in and year out?
What sort of vehicle with similar fuel costs would you suggest out of interest?
As naturally buying a new engine and box makes me think is it time to upgrade rather than modify?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top