Mk2 shift into 1st gear

[Rob Zombie]

Hello All,

I've just replaced my bottom end of my mk2 gti 8v with a mk3 gti bottom end,(this result in the engine being around half an inch taller) after having my motor off the road for a month now - im dying to get it back on.

Got the car running again yesterday and she's running lovely.

Checked the car would shift into ALL gears when the engine was off, however whent he engine is running, it refuses to shift into first, 2nd is a squeeze, and all other gears are okay along with reverse.

I imediately thought it could be due to the engine being slightly taller, however it sh!ts its all gears perfectly when the engine isnt running,

Has anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks in Advance
Robb

[molegti]

I'd be inclined to suspect a clutch problem. Cant be anything to do with the engine being taller because the gearbox is in the same location.

[Rob Zombie]

Thanks mate - I've also installed new linkage and bushes .
Ill take a look at the clutch tomorrow hopefully - cheers

[dennis10]

It's more likely that with moving all the bits around in the engine bay your linkage needs resetting/adjusting.

Have you got that special tool used to hold the gear stick in place while you adjust the gear linkage in the engine bay?  I'd take a look at that side of things before anything else

[miggs2002]

i was gonna type what Dennis has just said, you have to align the gear change arrangement back in place, for this you will need this tool
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Gear-Selector-Tool-Golf-GTi-Mk2-Bush-Linkage-Shift-/150573731021?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item230ee4cccd
or one just like it for less if you can find one

now you say you replaced the linkage setup, did you replace the orange ball? if you did then you will have taken off the u-clamp between the ball and the engine, usually near the end of the rod, well you need to get back there and loosen that u-clamp, then go into the car and place the tool under the shift boot, you will see where it's supposed to sit when you lift the boot up, leave the tool in place and go tighten up the u-clamp and away you go, all gears should be accessible

[Rob Zombie]

Hello Guys,

Thanks for your thoughts... I've just ordered that tool you linked me so that should be with me before the weekend.

Just out of curiosity, why would it go into gear when the engine isnt running?

Thanks again

Robb

[miggs2002]

the clutch isn't needed to shift the gears when the engines off as it's not spinning, if the gears are selected when off then it's just a case of a round peg going in a round hole, if you get me, whereas when the engines running your trying to put it in a square hole

sorry for the daft analogy, best way i can think of explaining lol

[Rob Zombie]

lol sounds like what I try and do on the weekends!!!!

Cheers fella - I'll let you knwo how it goes - fingers corssed this is the problem otherwise out comes the gearbox!

Thanks again
Robb

[mk2bal]

You can do it in a few minutes without the tool. Loosen the clamp and move it round a degree. As you can't get 1st or 2nd you need to move the rod anticlockwise inside the clamp, as you look at it from the engine bay. Literally one splines worth will probably do, anymore and you'll lose 5th. You can clean a spline with a scribe or tipex it to guage movement. If it is this that is causing the problem that is..

[miggs2002]

the rods i've removed/swapped in the past didn't have splines