Think of your car as akin to the human body. Every part, just like an organ, fulfills a specific function and if one is not working properly, the rest are likely to suffer as well. As a harmonious piece of equipment, your vehicle is an important part of your life. However, when there is disharmony, you could be in for costly repairs and long-term damage.
This is why it’s important to quickly diagnose any bad manual gearbox symptoms. This can help spare you a lot of hassle further down the road. And besides, it’s critical to always be conscious of your and other people’s safety on the road. So if you’ve got manual gearbox problems, then it’s time to check them out and take action. This article will focus on the signs and ways in which these challenges can be dealt with.
What are the signs of a damaged gearbox?
A damaged gearbox can be costly to repair. However, in some cases, the troubleshooting can be quite simple. It’s all a matter of identifying the problem and addressing it before it gets any worse. As a result, here are some of the most common signs of gearbox problems.
- Delays or shifts in the response time: while shifting gears is a natural part of driving a manual transmission car, there should be no delays between the gear shift and the actual intended gear you wanted to move into. This can lead to the engine’s RPM to rise even though the car won’t move as quickly as intended. Delays, when you feel the gear engaging, is usually a problem related to transmissions. This can also be the result of a clutch problem, which may need replacement or a sign of something more serious.
- Hearing unusual sounds: unusual sounds emitted by your gearbox when changing gears can be another symptom to watch out for. This can also be caused by issues with the clutch because of its close connection to the gearbox.
- Fluid issues: you may be low on transmission fluid which is the liquid that keeps the gearbox running smoothly. For manual transmission gearboxes, be sure to check your fluid levels and replace them if you see that they are low. This can be done by looking at the transmission case and most commonly through the fill plug and not with a dipstick under the hood.
- Shaking and grinding: shifting into gears and feeling grinding or shaking can result from a clutch that needs to be replaced. Alternatively, it could mean damaged or worn-out gear synchronizes.
- The smell of something burning: this is never a good sign, especially when it comes to your gearbox. It could be a result of overheating transmission fluid that has broken down. This can lead to damage to the transition and its eventual breakdown. Ultimately, it can cost a fair amount to replace it so it’s always worth dealing with the problem as soon as it arises.
- Check the engine light: located on the dashboard of your vehicle, the manual gearbox warning light is an important sign that something is wrong with your transmission, among other things. If this sign lights up on the dashboard, it’s time to take it for repairs.
- Not going into gear or gears are slipping: this could also be caused by low transmission fluid. If you are finding that you’re not going into gear at the right time or your gears are slipping, this is a potentially serious safety issue and must be resolved as quickly as possible.
- A dragging clutch: this is when the clutch disk fails to disengage the flywheel when the clutch pedal is pressed. This makes it difficult or even impossible to change gears (if at all). Luckily, this issue can be repaired in a more cost-effective way by simply reducing the slack on the clutch pedal.
What kills a manual gearbox?
Apart from the abovementioned symptoms of a faulty gearbox, there are some preventative measures you can take to prolong its life and keep it well maintained until your next major service. These include:
- Ensuring that you stick to your vehicle’s maintenance plan
- Not using cheap transmission fluids and suspicious additives
- Ignoring minor problems related to your gearbox
- Shifting gears between park, neutral and revers while being in motion
- Having your transmission fluid overheating due to, for example, aggressive driving
- If you tow loads that are quite heavy
- Not using your gear lever as an armrest
What causes a manual transmission to not go into gear?
There are two primary reasons why your manual transmission gears won’t engage. These include a failed clutch master cylinder and a severed linkage wire. However, while there may be other reasons, these tend to be the culprits in most cases.
Looking for professional manual gearbox repairs?
It should be evident by now that your gearbox plays a central role in your car’s functionality and if not looked after correctly, this can cause problems that range from the not so serious to the very serious. However, the longer you wait to have your gearbox repaired, the costlier the entire affair could be. If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy gearbox specialist in Leicester, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for an efficient service that will give you peace of mind. Don’t neglect any of the symptoms that your gearbox displays. Take action now and prolong the life of your car and ensure better safety on the roads.