Ever thought you're cursed

Technical Discussion
1

I’m beginning to think I am, when I picked the T4 up the alternator had packed in unknown to me & I had to get a tow home. No probs, changed it once I got back n all’s swell, it also seemed to be loosing coolant, I picked up a spare radiator tried to fit it… wrong size!!! went to swap the radiator the other night with one I thought would fit (after trying it yesterday it’s again just to big) but on the way to pick it up something wierd happened n the electrics went funny. The electrics where sorted the same night thanks to the club member helping out. Coming home this afternoon I went to change gear & nadda nothing, it was like someone had welded the gear lever in place, I could get it into 4th, if I shoved hard enough it would go into second & if I pressed down & went for reverse I could just get it into 1st!!! Before this happened the gearbox was fine, changed gear nice n smooth, no problems what so ever.

Once I got home I checked the linkage at the gearbox & all looks as it should (though I’m not sure) but at the lever end underneath I did spot this…

(http://photobucket.com)

kinda looks to me like the linkage has slipped out the rear bush & bearing (though I’m no expert & this could be how it’s supposed to look). I’m gonna try tomorrow & see if it will go back in at all, also gonna check all the engine mountings as there was a good clunking noise or two when it happend. The clutch was still working as it should so I don’t think it’s that. All in all I could have coped with the alt, electrics & radiator problem but if it turns out it’s the gearbox I’m screwed. This is the last straw.

To top it off I’m supposed to start a new job on the otherside of town on monday night, so I need to try n sort the van tomorrow.

I’m completely & utterly pissed off, after a crappy start to the year, this just about tops it all off. It could be time for a rag in the fuel tank n a lighter!!! :axe

2

shit man its always one thing or another hope you manage to sort it .

3

Although it’s blurry, that bare metal & rust area on shaft in pic don’t look too good right enough!
Only mechanism I can compare it to is cable gear selector bits on Passat. I always treat the moving parts to a good blast of spray grease now & then. Hopefully you can get everything back in a likely looking order and keep it well lubed mate! Can’t imagine the T4 Van being so popular if it had known gearbox reliability problems… :mellow:

4

Think your right Ally (not about the lighter etc) can you press it back in at all ? to check it is that.

5

Pretty much have it sussed, it had slipped forward, due to i think the fact the front linkage bush is buggered, split in two different places. The front popped out while adjusting it this evening. So I need to try & get a new part tomorrow & fit it & that should be it sorted! Woohoo, big weight off my mind & I’m a happy boy again.

6

Well I have found the cause of the problem, the previous owner had neglected to tighten the mount on the gearbox & it had dropped down & forward, the linkage bush at the gearbos was knackered aswell.

I remounted the gearbox this afternoon & got everthing back in place where it should be, inspected every nut & bolt on the rest of the van aswell, I’m picking up a new bush tomorrow hopefully & will try & get it all back together tomorrow.

So that just leaves getting a new raditor sorted n put in & I should be laughing, then I can get on with camperizing the rear & tarting ‘Das Boot’ up!

7

:smiley: Yayyy! Result!!