Land Rover Series III - Gearbox probs

Pls can anyone give a Land Rover newbie some advice?

I've just bought a Series 3 Landy (1974) which seems to be in great
condition, but occasionally, the gearbox just doesn't seem to want to
engage anything at all, even with double-declutching.

The only solution I've found was to start in 2nd, and then get it
going, after which it seemed okay. Other times, it all works fine.

Clutch seems fine, so is it likely that the synchromesh clips are
broken (I don't think so, because otherwise double de-clutching would
work??).

"Freetrader" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Pls can anyone give a Land Rover newbie some advice?
>
> I've just bought a Series 3 Landy (1974) which seems to be in great
> condition, but occasionally, the gearbox just doesn't seem to want to
> engage anything at all, even with double-declutching.
>
> The only solution I've found was to start in 2nd, and then get it
> going, after which it seemed okay. Other times, it all works fine.
>
> Clutch seems fine, so is it likely that the synchromesh clips are
> broken (I don't think so, because otherwise double de-clutching would
> work??).

Hi., sounds like there is air in the system somewhere, or you have a small
hole in the hydraulic pipe that is sucking air in. Any fluid loss?

I'd try bleeding the system first and see if that makes any difference. If
not, check for leaks and/or change master cylinder and slave cylinder and
the hydraulic hose. Beware though, correct bleeding can be a pig of a job to
do properly and you should try to raise the front of the vehicle up on ramps
or axles stands to do so - never just use a jack!!!!!
If you do bleed the system, and it has a seperate clutch fluid resevoir,
make sure that this never goes below half full or you will draw more air
into the system.

If that doesn't work, it could be the clutch release bearing that is worn or
slipping, but that is another tale..

Are you getting any oil coming from the bottom of the bell housing and
dripping over the gearbox cross member? If so, you could have a rear crank
shaft oil seal that has gone which will cause the clutch to become covered
in oil and not engage properly.

Best bet is to take it in stages and elminate the simple things first, it
most likely to be the hydraulics though..

Hope this helps

Cheers

THuNK

> Hi., sounds like there is air in the system somewhere, or you have a small
> hole in the hydraulic pipe that is sucking air in. Any fluid loss?
>
> I'd try bleeding the system first and see if that makes any difference. If
> not, check for leaks and/or change master cylinder and slave cylinder and
> the hydraulic hose. Beware though, correct bleeding can be a pig of a job to
> do properly and you should try to raise the front of the vehicle up on ramps
> or axles stands to do so - never just use a jack!!!!!
> If you do bleed the system, and it has a seperate clutch fluid resevoir,
> make sure that this never goes below half full or you will draw more air
> into the system.
>
> If that doesn't work, it could be the clutch release bearing that is worn or
> slipping, but that is another tale..
>
> Are you getting any oil coming from the bottom of the bell housing and
> dripping over the gearbox cross member? If so, you could have a rear crank
> shaft oil seal that has gone which will cause the clutch to become covered
> in oil and not engage properly.
>
> Best bet is to take it in stages and elminate the simple things first, it
> most likely to be the hydraulics though..
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Cheers
>
> THuNK

Thank for the tip. I've test the hydraulics as suggested. There's no
fluid loss, and everything's fine in the slave and master cylinder. It
looks like it's the clutch pressure plate??