Terry M Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Hi, would be grateful for any offerings. I have owned my first 7 (Classic Super Seven 1998, 1.6 VX engine and Sierra 5 speed box), only since Dec 18. I absolutely love it except that it is very difficult to select 1st gear from cold start up, when you get underway it is fine. The only other issue that getting in to reverse is very 'clunky'. Sorry not overly technical I'm afraid, but any advice would be welcomed. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Is the clutch fully disengaging? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry M Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Thanks for prompt response. Yes, clutch seems fine and fully dissengages when underway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Even a little bit of drag from the clutch, or from a failing spigot bearing, would make the gears difficult to engage at a standstill but would probably not be noticeable when underway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 1/ When the car is up to temperature, what happens if you park stationary at idle with the car in neutral and try to engage 1st? 2/ Also from a cold start up, is it any easier to drop the clutch and keep it down, then go into 2nd followed by a move to select 1st before you begin to release the clutch? 3/ How much pedal travel from the floor is needed before the clutch just starts to engage when cold, and is this constant after the car warms up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry M Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Thanks for reply. Maybe I need to let an expert check and assess the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry M Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Thanks Jim, as far as I can tell everything seems to function properly (see reverse bit later), after getting underway, even before it really gets warmed up. It feels easy to shift into gear after idling in neutral, and clutch pedal travel feels 'normal'. The last part of any journey i make involves me reversing in to my garage, and then, even after being warmed up, it clunks into reverse with the pedal right to the floor. Apologies if I've not explained this well enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted February 28, 2019 Leadership Team Share Posted February 28, 2019 From your last post I also concur that the clutch may we'll need adjustment. If you'd said it was okay when warm then the suggestion would be that it might need a different gearbox oil, but because the issue is evident when the engine and gearbox are warm, it's more likely to be clutch adjustment.I experienced the same when my dry sump clutch arm was failing, but that won't be the case with yours assuming it's a normal wet sump engine.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Where are you based, most of us would be happy to look at it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Cable operated clutch ..... ? .... just try adjusting the cable a bit to test the effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry M Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 Thanks to all for your input. As a newbie to Caterham and the L7 club, I must say how impressed I am with people's willingness to help. Fortunately I bought the car from an authorised dealer, so I think I'll take advantage of the warranty offered and get it back to them to check out. To answer one of the questions asked, I am based in the Chew Valley area just South of Bristol. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Too far for me to pop over, but there are members close to you. Does sound like the clutch could be dragging and as SM25T suggests, adjusting the clutch cable will indicate if that is the issue. More straightforward for you to get the spanners out than taking it to the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 And always good to try ... and learn as you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckpit Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Yup, I have had this problemFirstly make sure you have Redline MTL oil in your box, you can tell cos its redSecondly renew the saddle, which the gear stick fork sits onLastly and the thing that sorted my box out was a new short shift stick which i bought from :https://www.tigerracing.com/shop/gearbox-parts/126-gear-stick-quick-shift-modified-to-length.htmlThey will cut it to length for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now