Volkswagen Polo (1981 - 1991) - 1990 CL Coupe - Gear problems

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Wed 16 Jan 2008 13:06
1990 CL Coupe - Gear problems - om436
Hey!

I have a 1990 VW Polo CL Coupe which I have recently purchased. Runs really well, no problems with the engine.
Recently however the gearbox/gearchange mechanism has been giving me problems.

The gears started to have trouble getting in (first and second especially), this got worse and worse as I drove along.
Eventually it became so difficult to change to these gears that I actually caused the clutch cable to come off (I thought I had broken the clutch cable at the time, which made for an interesting drive home!)
I re-fitted this but can't get first or second (and third is sometimes a problem) reverse and forth are fine.

Could I need a gear oil topup? (if so, how as the Haynes manual does not mention it!) or is it more probable that a new gearchange mechanism is in order?

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 16/01/2008 at 13:39

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Wed 16 Jan 2008 13:20
Gear problems - Screwloose

Sound more like a clutch problem. Can you get it into gear OK with the engine off?
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Thu 17 Jan 2008 23:47
Gear problems - om436
No.

Now the problem has changed, I have 2nd and 4th and reverse (making the car at least driveable!)

but no first or third!

Clutch you say.....hmmm the previous owner said that they had recently had a new clutch fitted.....it is feasable that it was fitted incorrectly.

I will check that out too!

Thanks.
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Sat 19 Jan 2008 00:21
Gear problems - Big John
Check the engine / gearbox mounts! , if the clutch has been changed recentley they may have not been tightened up properly. Especially check the one near/under the passenger footwell.
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