406oc.co.uk

Hi all,

My 2.1 has been getting a bit more reluctant to get into gears recently, in fact since I've had it, it's been difficult to get into first sometimes. I've heard changing the gear oil can help this, but it's had a full service on Monday including fresh gear oil, and it hasn't helped noticeably.

It's still on its original clutch at 212k miles, could this be the problem? I've not noticed any other problems with the clutch -- it isn't juddery and doesn't slip or anything.

After reading a post by jasper5, I should also mention that the problem only shows when the engine is running. With the engine off, the gearchange is very easy (can hardly feel it going into gear).

Any ideas guys? Any help is much appreciated

Edit: sorry not read it properly,
iwouid of guessed on Gear oil, Lack of or wrong type in box, but youve already tried it,

what box is it, Hydraulic or cable, ?

Hi lozz,

It's the ML5T box, sorry should have said that. So the sealed hydraulic master/slave cylinder arrangement.

I've read on the net that if it is the clutch dragging then reverse should be worse than the rest, since there's no synchro to smooth it. Is that correct?

is it hard to get in first from starting off from cold ?
or get easier to get in gear once cars warmed up /?

It is difficult to get into first when cold (all gears in fact, but first is worst). The problem is more noticeable when I'm slowing down at a junction, about to stop, clutch is down, but then traffic starts moving so try and put it into first and it really doesn't want to. It does get marginally better when the box has warmed up, but the problem is by no means gone.

If I'm driving along at 30 in 3rd, put the clutch down, and try and put it into various gears, it's the same problem. First is always very difficult, the rest are a bit reluctant but will go in with persuasion.

The problem is not there at all when the engine's not running, goes into all gears without issue.

Took it out again this morning, and the problem definitely improves but does not vanish as the transmission warms up. Also it's much less noticeable when accelerating and shifting up through the box. Slowing down and shifting down through the gears is much harder.

The final thing I noticed is that if I accelerate up to about 20, clutch down and try to go into first, I have to apply constant pressure for a few seconds before it will reluctantly go into gear. During those seconds, there's a noticeable whistle, which goes away once it eventually gets into gear.

Finally, reverse is just as bad but no worse than the rest of the box.

Anyone got any clues? I'm a bit lost for ideas...

If the gears are tight when the engine is running your problem is definitely related to the clutch.

Is your biting point very close to the floor? If so then you have either a hydraulic problem (check for any possible leak) or you have a problem with the pressure plate on the clutch, but the squealing noise could be a release bearing problem, all mechanical problems with the clutch.

If you don't have a leak on the hydraulics then you may need a complete new clutch.

the old 1.9td is cable john..... you could try changing the clutch cable. thats an easy job to do and think there only about £20

This is 2.1 is it still cable?

The OP seems to think it's the sealed system.

my bad thought it was 1.9 for some reason

Cheers guys, it's definitely unfortunately the hydraulic system (cable would be an easier fix!), I can see the header tank, mounted on the bulkhead here:


jasper, the biting point is quite high, as it has always been in fact, I've not noticed any changes there. I've had a look around the hydraulics and can't see any leaks. It had a full service at the beginning of the week and no leaks were noticed from the hydraulic systems.

Do normal clutch kits replace the release bearing as well as the friction and pressure plates? If so, do you reckon that's the next thing to try? I was fairly prepared for a clutch change anyway since 212k miles on one clutch is, well, lots.

Does sound like a mechanical clutch problem to me.

Yes, the bearing is part of the clutch kit on the 406, some modern cars only have a 2 piece clutch plus a concentric slave cylinder which is the clutch slave cylinder and bearing all in one....these should be changed when the clutch is done, but a lot of garages/clutch places don't quote for this type of bearing unless you ask....your car doesn't have that type.

Sounds like you need a new clutch.

Thanks guys, will keep you posted on progress with this.

Is it worth having things like driveshaft oil seals, engine mount etc done at the same time?