Re:Transmission Help Please

AJU · 24-02-2005 20:23:19

Sorry I am writing in english, I'm a bit embarrassed that I am Dutch, but don't speak enough Dutch to get along here. I am from New York. I have a 1996 855 with a manual transmission. Almost nobody has a manual transmission here, so I am out of luck getting information off of any of the message boards here. I am having some trouble shifting, the shifter meets with resistance and unless I push it with considerable force, or wait a long time it will not go into gear. I thought that I might have some air in the hydraulic line as I just recently changed the slave cylinder because it was leaking, and I bleed the clutch many times over, and then finally with a pressure bleeder. No change. My feeling is that there is something wrong in the linkage, but there is no cable adjustment on this car.

Has anyone had bushings or cables replaced to fix a problem like this? I don't think it is the clutch, and I hope it is not internal transmission damage. Any help is appreciated.

mehn · 24-02-2005 20:28:57

Citaat van: AJU op 24-02-2005 20:23:19
Any help is appreciated.

Can't help you with clutch problems, I drive AT

I'm sure one of the MT drivers will post a solution, I just want to bring www.swededemon.com to your attention. It's Johann's forum and it's mainly in English. Maybe you can find something there

thuur · 24-02-2005 20:50:28

Welcome to the 850forum!

Let's make your problem a bit more specific..

Are all the gears difficult to engage or is it mostly 1st and Reverse gear?

If so, I'd say one of your cylinders still has a leak (since you did already bleed it). What's the mileage of the car? Usually age comes with difficulties. For instance, my 1st and reverse gears don't engage easily when the car is fully up to temperature. I never bled the system because I don't have any problems with it. To engage first gear: I gently 'hold' the lever against the 2nd gear, almost immediately I hear a gentle 'slap'. With ageing Volvo's some space emerges on some axles. Nothing to worry because they get very old regardless of this. In this case, I stop the axle (don't know the exact name of the axle, not even in Dutch

) and the lever slides into first gear like a hot knife in butter.

For reverse: I always put it in Reverse when the engine is still off if I have to back up (e.g. on a parking lot). When the engine is already running, I try to engage 3rd, then 4th en finally (and usually) it slips into Reverse. Not always though: then I hold the lever against Reverse and gently let the clutch come up (just like driving away in slow motion). Just before the clutch gets a grip it quickly slips into Reverse. Without cracking noises, excessive force or whatever.

If all your gears are difficult to engage, I'd say your clutch has had its best time.. This is usually due to 2 reasons: It's worn (usually about 125.000 miles, either the clutch or the supporting pressure system is starting to fail. Clutch itself can reach over 200.000 miles I've read

). Second reason is that your clutch has become filthy with oil.

I hear you think, "what is that oil doing there?"

Well, if your flame trap has not been regularly cleaned, the pressure of oil fumes in the oil pan can become too high, causing it to blow at the weakest point. Yes, there is a small seal-kind-of-ring right there at your transmission that blows, causing oil to leak onto your clutch. This causes your clutch not to release fully, causing you not to engage your gears properly (it's like you want to change a gear without using the left pedal

). We call it a 'sticky clutch' (that's a poor translation from Dutch

)

So, am I a little close in describing a possible cause of your problems, or am I way off? Please let me know

Regards

AJU · 24-02-2005 21:04:09

Thanks for your response. The car has 122,000 Miles on it, and no signs of clutch slippage or oil leakage- I think that rules out oil contamination. But your "sticky clutch" idea sounds possible. I do know where to expect oil to weep when the rear main crankshaft seal is leaking (which is the one that would contaminate the clutch). From a stop, 1st and reverse are indeed the hardest gears to get into. When shifting while moving, there is resistance in any gear. The clutch engages at the right point in the pedal stroke and the car will not move if at a stop with the car in gear, clutch depressed and no brakes, so I think it is fully disengaging. The master cylinder is seeping a little, so I think I should change that, but I don't think that is the cause. Have you ever heard of replacing the shift cables due to stretching?

Thanks again for the help and you nice welcome.

thuur · 24-02-2005 21:21:12

Yes, the main crankshaft seal is the one I'm talking about. And indeed, oil leakage should be visible on the outside of the car (right between engine and trans.).

Maybe you've got 'both' problems $:-\$ . A dirty clutch causing it not to release at all times and the leakage from the master cylinder causing you not to be able to easy shift to 1st and R.

If you think your clutch is dirty, there is a way to test it, but it will cause your clutch to wear a little...... So do it at your own risk. Most people have reported that the problem went away for a few weeks. If you let your clutch slip excessively you should be able to get rid of the oil layer. You should smell your clutch, knowing that it slipped excessively. Then, if the car drives better you should know where to look.

And change the master cylinder indeed! You have to rule out all possibilities..

Too bad most Americans drive AT's causing poor knowledge for specific problems. Especially for you in this case.. It so much fun changing gears yourself... if it works

Nice to have a NY'er visiting our forum btw.

R,

PS: O, and when you change the clutch (or let it change) make sure the crankshaft seal is replaced as well! It costs about 30 Euro's over here and is money well spent!

thuur · 24-02-2005 21:23:26

O, and to answer your question: No, I'm not familiar with changing the ahift cables you refer to.

Maybe one of the other members can look into Vadis?

R,

AJU · 25-02-2005 02:45:50

Dank u veel for your help. I guess I will have a professional look at it. I am always wary about doing this as they tend to suggest the most expensive solution first, while I tend to try and rule out the cheapest possibilities first.
I guess I have some bloody knuckles in my future (changing the master cyl does not look fun), but I guess it is due. I can assure you that the clutch is not fouled - no slippage, no leak. I am somewhat concerned that the flywheel might be out of balance and has caused some wear in the transmission shafts that will necessitate either rebuild or replacement of the transmission. I guess we'll see.

All the best.

Thanks for welcoming a Nieuw Amsterdammer!

thuur · 25-02-2005 09:14:50

We wish you all the best too!

And we'd surely like to hear how the story continues.. Maybe you could even introduce yourself in the topic 'Wie ben ik' (=Who am I)..

And put some pics of you and your car there

I hope you can find a nice and affordable solution for your problems!

R,

2.0keijzer · 25-02-2005 11:48:08

AJU, sounds like Thuur wrote, but not the clutch discs are greasy or worn out, you pressure group ('drukgroep in dutch) most probably is. If you drove a lot in the city, 122 K mls is even a lot for this part of your cluth!
Just try to change gears when the car stands still, engine turned off. If every thing goes smooth, what I wrote is probably it. Remedy: new clutch set, costs in Holland around 900.- at the dealer, including work/labour.
Please, don't think of cables and gearboxes yet!
By the way, one of my previous 850's had tough gearchange too. After replacing gearoil, everything smooth again!

Regards,
an Old Amsterdammer