Clutch, Gear Linkage, Gearbox?!?!?

[Rodi89]

Hi guys,
            First post so I hope I get this right. I have a T reg MK 4 Golf GTI and yesterday I was struggling getting my car into gear, today the problem has got worse. I cannot put it into 1st while the engine is running or 2nd for that matter, I must select gear then turn the engine over, whilst running, the gears will select 1-2-3-4-5 quite well but still requires some force when gearing down I struggle again and to get into 2nd which is the lowest gear I can get while moving I almost come to a stand still before I can get it in. When I have selected 1st and turn the engine over the car begins to move slowly even though I have the clutch pedal fully in, finally when I select reverse (which is the only hear I can select smoothly) I cannot get out of reverse without turning off my engine again!!!!  Unsure weather it's cable or hydraulic, as I'm hoping I just need to adjust the clutch or top up with fluid. Can someone please help to point me in the right direction. If you require any more info please let me know. Thanks in advance

[gazareth]

try pushing clutch pedal up and down 3 times quickly before you put it in to gear. see if that makes any difference.

[Rodi89]

Thanks, ill give it a try tomorrow and report back.

[welshdean]

Why would pushing  the pedal down three times quickly make any difference

[xxChrisxx]

From what you describe it's like you can't find the gates, so it sounds like you need to adjust your selector mechanism. You'll have a gearbox with the rods rather than the cables.

There are a bunch of nuts on the selector mechanism on the gearbox, you just tighten or loosen them accordingly. It's either an 8mm or 10mm socket I can't remember which.


EDIT:
What you said about the clutch makes me think. Is it acutally the gates you are having trouble finding or is it just hard to engage the gear.

With the clutch not fully depressed (even though your pedal is) you will be trying to engage and disengage a loaded synchro ring. Which will massively increase the shift force required.

[gazareth]

hang on! it is a hydraulic clutch right???

[Rodi89]

It is impossible to select any gears from neutral while engine is ticking over. I've taken it to a mate who is a mechanic and he has said it's the clutch, well a cylinder in the clutch or something. He's sorting out a few other bits I have wrong as well. Thanks for your help

[welshdean]

No offence mate but how can it be impossible to select gears in neutral. How are you supposed to drive? Or am I missing the point 

[barrym381]

No offence mate but how can it be impossible to select gears in neutral. How are you supposed to drive? Or am I missing the point 

[gazareth]

if fluid in the clutch cylinder is seeping back past a seal then pumping it quickly a few times and then trying to select a gear and finding an improvement then that will confirm the hydraulics need looked at. if no different then its probably the release bearing wearing through the pressure plate fingers.