[Transmission] Gear change

[gobbolino]

HI All,

A few weeks ago I purchased a 2007 1.6 MultiSpace with 21,000 miles on the clock (backed up by HPI data and MOT Cert). It did 10k on rental over a few years then the other 10k over 3 years on private ownership. Car runs fine, though there are some small issues. I have had a full service done by my local mechanic who said it was a 'clean car', but commented that it had had a tow bar previously attached and that the suspension was set pretty stiff (which was obvious) but he did not suggest any work to be done.

So the issues - gear selection is intermittently notchy on the stick going into first and second though the car does make the transitions without much fuss. Often Neutral to first and first to second are totally smooth however so its far from being an issue on every transition attempt, and when the transitions are notchy it is solved by repressing the clutch. Had the car 3 weeks and on a small handful of occasions it has failed to go into first completely but again reclutching immediately solved this. How normal is this - never owned anything this before - is it indicative of a serious underlying issue? My limited knowledge would say synchros slightly off.

The other problem is that there is a fairly whiffy burny smell (actually like fenugreek) when the car is running particularly if the heater is on hot and blowy. There is no damp spot in the car floor however, it doesn't steam up inside on startup, the coolant and oil are clean and the head gasket is intact.

Thoughts much appreciated. This is the first car I've bought from a dealer used so I was pretty nervy about making the purchase. Glass's gave it a dealer price of £3100 assuming it had done 100k, I paid £300 more than this with the mileage taken into account. Dealer seemed pretty slimy but couldn't fault the car on the test drive or visual inspection. Didn't notice smell at that point though.

Is this just my paranoia and are these normal minor issues to expect with an 8-year old model that's pulled some loads?

Cheers in advance

[joeflannery]

The gear change linkage on my 2003 berlingo got awkward then collapsed at 100,000 miles, not a big deal but worth looking at.

[Solent]

Perhaps a new clutch is in order, not the end of the world.
An 8 year old Berlingo will never be like a brand new one.

[Tomcat3]

If it smell like curry in the cab when you have the heater on its the heater matrix seals going. It doesn't take much of a leak it just runs out and burns off on the hot pipes to produce the smell. It doesn't cost much in parts but its a whole dash out job and many hours to do so get the dealer to do it.

[gobbolino]

If it smell like curry in the cab when you have the heater on its the heater matrix seals going. It doesn't take much of a leak it just runs out and burns off on the hot pipes to produce the smell. It doesn't cost much in parts but its a whole dash out job and many hours to do so get the dealer to do it

Thanks guys - any advice on how to approach the dealer - independent local dealer, I've not ever had to go back with a problem like this and am a bit of a wuss in these kinds of situations tbh. and they will of course try and wriggle out of it.

[gobbolino]

Taking it into the dealer tomorrow - should I be getting them to replace it entirely or just fix the leak with rad weld or something else - though that could have been tried before I bought the car?

[Gadgetman]

If the intermittent gear-change problem is mostly soon after starting, I'd check the gear oil.
(I'd probably check that anyway)

It doesn't hurt to check the link rods, but they can be difficult to reach on your model.
(I'm not certain how much room you have with the 1.6 in there)
The rubber 'cups' has a tendency to dry out and crack over time, but I'm not certain your car is that old... yet...

[Tomcat3]

Get them to replace the matrix putting radweld or such like is just a temporary fix and it will fail in the end. Stand your ground and don't be fobbed off.

[gobbolino]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately all this was happening while my daughter was having an op and we moved to Wales, so wasn't able to chase it up as I could have otherwise. They did just RadWeld it, now the curry stench disappears shortly after blowing hot air through for a minute or two. Guess that means it's improved things, but problem still there - may not be the first time its been sealed!

Had trouble convincing them to do anything since there is no perceptible loss of coolant after a couple of months and 4k on clock. Not sure I could trust them to do a decent job even if they did agree to it. I am going back to Sheffield for a visit so I guess I could badger them again! Van is 8 years old and only 24k so it's definitely worth maintaining - what are the consequences of a total heater matrix fail?

As soon as I bought it I had it independently serviced and the gear oil was replaced (long before the post). Possibly put the wrong stuff in, will check it out! Guess the big test will be the cold weather - we had a cold morning a week ago and they were pretty gluey at the journey start in 1st and 2nd but then were fine. Other possibility re: matrix is that the reservoir is pretty full, maybe a bit too full!

Cheers