Conference terri::cars_uk

    Could be : 
    Cable, sticking when it get's hot, if you depress the pedal and then
    move your foot up ever so slowly, does it come up in a series of jerky
    steps?.
    Release bearing getting graunchy when hot, pedal feels smooth, but take
    up is not.
    Worn release diaphragm fingers can't say I could differentiate from -1.
    
    Cable is easy, all the rest it's a full clutch job.
    
    Richard

If the engine earth strap has broken, the engine could be earthing through the
clutch cable, which would heat it up and cause the effect in -1.

    I've had the same problem on a Fiesta.  I eventually took the clutch
    apart, and found every thing to be in apparently perfect condition - no
    excessive wear on the plate, no oil contamination, no scoring, 
    thrust bearing was fine.  I replaced the plate anyway, along with a new 
    thrust bearing just for safety's sake.  When it was put back together, 
    it worked perfectly.
    
    Replacing the clutch is easy, just have someone to help with the weight
    of the gearbox/diff.  
    
    best of luck!

	It would be worth checking the engine mountings and whatever
	else locates the engine/gearbox into the chassis. If these
	are loose/broken you can get juddering, but normally this 
	occurs at all times.

	-John

    This may be connected or not...please move it if it merits a new
    discussion.
    
    I've had a Fiesta Popular for just over 3 weeks, and clocked a little
    over 1000 miles.  Just this last few days, it has developed a tendency
    to not want to go into first gear.  Not all the time, but maybe 3 or 4
    times in a days driving.  It just won't slot in, like maybe there is
    something in the way.
    
    Has anyone else come across this?
    
    I thought maybe it was me 'snatching' at the stick, but even taking it
    slowly,when it happens, doesn't seem to help.
    
    Hmmmm.
    
    Mikef

Re -1.

I had similar problems (and still do to some extent) with my Escort. Admittedly
my Escort had done some 48000 miles when the problem first occured, but you may
be a similar problem.

The garage tried several things :

1. Gear linkage adjustment (cheap).
2. New differential gear inside the gearbox (expensive).
3. Complete strip and clean of all components in the gearbox.

Number 3 seemed to solve the problem most of the time, but I still have some
problems once in a while.

I have my suspicions that maybe its clutch related, as if I take my foot off
the clutch and then depress it again, it almost always goes in second try.

Julian

    
    re the problems getting into first gear
    
    try revving the engine very slightly as you push the gear leaver out of
    second, and before you try to push it into first

    	Had similar problems with my '82 Escort. My garage's first
    advice was to replaced the original "looped" clutch cable with
    a later-produced "straight" clutch cable. 5 minutes job, End
    of problem
    
    Tim

   Had exactly this problem with my mums 86 Fiesta Popular.
   
   Still have the problem.
   
   I think it might have something to do with the cable getting hot and 
   expanding.  I say this cos recently I have been changing gear without the 
   clutch (heel and toe etc) and the problem has only started to show itself 
   after excessive traffic jams when I have to use the clutch!
   
   Its a real pain and yes I feel like sticking my head out the window too!
   
   Steve

    I get clutch judder on the MGB when the engine starts to overheat
    in a traffic jam. During normal driving, no problems.

    This isn't a cable clutch, so I can only think it is related to the
    flywheel heating up.

    Anyone got any better ideas ???

  Mark

    
    re .9
    Whats 'heel and toe'???
    
    Ta
    Mikef