Pasta Powered Gear box woes - Help Please

[cort16]

So I've got this Alfa 166 3.0 v6 and when I bought it the clutch was heavy and there wasn't much movement in the clutch peddle but I could change gears no problem. Over time it became harder to change gear so last weekend I bled the clutch and RESULT the clutch was returned to normal service. Even better than before infact. I've been tootling around town with it no problem but yesterday decided to bring it up to work (25 miles).

The first 10 miles or so went no problem then I noticed that it wouldn't shift from 4th to 5th or 4th to 6th. I got to work, dumped it in the carpark then went out at lunchtime to make sure I'd not left a screw driver or something wedged in the gear linkage while bleeding the clutch. All I noticed was a couple of cables dangling in the area of the linkage which I cable tied up. Took the car for a drive and it was fine again.

 

On the way back from work all was well until about 10 miles into the journey then 5-6th are gone again (1-2-3-4 reverse perfect). There's no graunching or anything like that it's just as if 5-6th aren't there at all. I did managed to force it into 5th once and I could change between 5th and 6th without any problems.

 

When it's hot and the car is switched off I still can't get it into gear. When I came out to it this morning and it's cold it's working pefectly again.

 

It sounds like somethings jamming the linkage but it wouldn't explain why it would happen after 10 miles or so of driving. Anyone any ideas before I'm forced to PX it for a Yorkshire terrier?

[ashmicro]

I'm told that those have some oddball lever system for the selector. If yours has the collar to lift for reverse, try using it to select 5 or 6 (stationary!!)

[cort16]

I tried pulling up the collar but it was still as if 5th and 6th weren't even there. Reverse is on the same side as 5th and 6th and engages fine.

It's one of those GR9 faults that can only be tested when the car is hot so you need a fire suit to guddle about in the enigne bay to try to find what's going wrong.

[Rocket88]

There's a bit about this on the net.......www.alfaowner.com...........seems to be a bush problem at the gearlever end.

[cort16]

Cheers Colc

This seems like the problem alright. This things really starting to bust my chops.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-164-and-166/119612-166-6-speed-5th-6th-selection-problem.html

[barefoot]

I know its not the same, but I've had a few gear selection issues with the Scirocco.

1st & 2nd were pigs to get when warm - like you say OK when cold.

Fitted some new linkage bushes & the problem moved, now 5th was not selectable without a fight.

Finally bought a 'gearlever repair kit' from GSF - the ball thing about which the lever rotates.

Transformation is amazing, like moving from a Maxi to a Cortina!