Transmission / Differential problems possibly

So I took my car in for a service today, Motor Oil change, Gear oil change, Brake and clutch oil change. New filters. As it's been running funny since the weather got colder. Revving high before picking up speed in 4th and 5th. Recently it's started stalling when pulling away in first, I have to really rev up quite high before releasing the clutch. And I thought maybe its where the oils haven't been changed for a few years.

Thing is, in the past year this car has had a new clutch, new brakes, new cambelt, fuel filter and a few other bits.


So just now the garage calls me and tells me theres a problem with the gearbox, the transmission, possibly the differential, theres oil all over the place. They say its gonna need replacing. They're gonna call back with a price.

My question is, does that sound right? With the new bits fitted, the old oil, the weather. It runs fine once you get it going (apart from the revving up before power kicks in).

And also how much should it cost, just so I know I'm not being ripped off.

I really need to drive 100 or so miles tonight, I don't wanna have to get the train.

Hello Lewissnow1990

Lewissnow1990 wrote:As it's been running funny since the weather got colder. Revving high before picking up speed in 4th and 5th. Recently it's started stalling when pulling away in first, I have to really rev up quite high before releasing the clutch.

Sounds like injector/airflow - test the MAF (Mass airflow sensor) and check for error codes with Lexia tool.

To test the MAF, disconnect it and drive, see if things improve at the bottom end of the rev range, if you get an improvement, your MAF is at fault. There is a picture of the MAF here, you can find it on the air intake pipe.

Lewissnow1990 wrote:And I thought maybe its where the oils haven't been changed for a few years.

Probably not.

Lewissnow1990 wrote:So just now the garage calls me and tells me theres a problem with the gearbox, the transmission, possibly the differential, theres oil all over the place.

Oh dear, oil seal on the driveshaft to gearbox connection? Its difficult to tell without looking, but could be it. Lets hear what they say.

Lewissnow1990 wrote:They say its gonna need replacing. They're gonna call back with a price.

Something will definitely need replacing, oil seal, gasket, something...

Lewissnow1990 wrote:My question is, does that sound right? With the new bits fitted, the old oil, the weather. It runs fine once you get it going (apart from the revving up before power kicks in).

Sounds like you have an oil leak and a fault with the air/fuel metering/delivery. One is oil everywhere and the other is low power at low RPM.


MAF from the 8v engine

Thanks Arf.

I'm gonna risk driving it back home tonight where I know it can be looked at properly and I trust the garage.

The garage just called me and told me it'd be a gearbox overhaul and new clutch (again) for £1100.

Lewissnow1990 wrote:Thanks Arf.

I'm gonna risk driving it back home tonight where I know it can be looked at properly and I trust the garage.

The garage just called me and told me it'd be a gearbox overhaul and new clutch (again) for £1100.

It would probably cheaper to just replace the gearbox/engine with one from a damaged, salvaged car. Seems too much money to spend on new parts for an old car.

I think the plan might be to get it running again and sell it on, sell it as spares or repairs or scrap it. To be fair the car has been nothing but trouble since I got it.