I've never come across it before but it does say in the owners handbook to press clutch down before starting the car, any idea why?
Also occasionally have trouble getting in to first gear when setting off, if you've got any suggestions they'd be very welcome.  Thanks

2 hours ago, Earthworm said:

it does say in the owners handbook to press clutch down before starting the car, any idea why?
Also occasionally have trouble getting in to first gear when setting off,

With most newer cars, you have to press the clutch to enable the stater motor, this is usually done in the ECU software. It is supposed to be some sort of safety idea, but is, like so much in the safety world, pretty stupid. Releasing the clutch with an idling engine while in gear will produce a much bigger push to the car, probably overcoming the handbrake, before the engine stalls. Trying to start in gear with the handbrake on is very unlikely to move the car, the starter motor will just stall.

So checking the gear lever is in neutral is a far more important check than mucking about with the clutch.

Many also claim that gearbox drag makes the starter motor work much harder, and can reduce cranking rpm enough to cause it to fail to start in extreme cases (cold weather and poor battery), but as it is only the gearbox input shaft that is turning, I rather doubt if there is much real difference. Drag from the clutch release mechanism (which pushes the crankshaft hard against its thrust bearings) can be just as significant.

I have never used the clutch press start in almost 50 years of driving in any car I own, only when forced, reluctantly, to do it by the stupid software.

Some years ago I was house sitting a neigbours house whilst they were on holiday. I had one task, to move their car when the driveway repair man arrived. I sat in that darn car for 10 minutes trying to get it to start, plenty of fuel, turned over strongly, yet no start.

The guy arrived and I explained that I couldn't get the car moved, he said his daughter owned the same car, was I pressing the clutch? At the time I thought, what the hell difference would pressing the clutch make? Of course, it made all the difference in the world 🤣

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

Some years ago I was house sitting a neigbours house whilst they were on holiday. I had one task, to move their car when the driveway repair man arrived. I sat in that darn car for 10 minutes trying to get it to start, plenty of fuel, turned over strongly, yet no start.

The guy arrived and I explained that I couldn't get the car moved, he said his daughter owned the same car, was I pressing the clutch? At the time I thought, what the hell difference would pressing the clutch make? Of course, it made all the difference in the world 🤣

So i take it, it's a necessity. Would that explain the 1st gear problem too?

6 hours ago, Tdci-Peter said:

Many also claim that gearbox drag makes the starter motor work much harder, and can reduce cranking rpm enough to cause it to fail to start in extreme cases (cold weather and poor battery), but as it is only the gearbox input shaft that is turning, I rather doubt if there is much real difference.

That would be true in a perfect world...but there is more drag from the bearings and cold oil than we'd expect.  I'm sure we've all idled an engine on axle stands and noted one wheel turning in neutral.  Wheels are pretty heavy!  I wouldn't say it's enough to reduce the cranking speed unless the battery is really on it's last legs, but I do believe may improve the longevity of the starter and battery.

I have always pressed the clutch as good practice, despite rarely leaving my own car in gear (unless on a steep hill).  Funnily enough, one of the few times I didn't press the clutch I was scanning a mates car with diags...ignition was on so I just flicked the key round to start, and the car of course lurched forwards and stalled.  Awkward.   

26 minutes ago, Earthworm said:

So i take it, it's a necessity. Would that explain the 1st gear problem too?

Have you tried not pressing the clutch?  If it doesn't start then it's a necessity on your car.  If it does start then it's just a good practice suggestion.  I can't remember if the Mk7 PFL does need a clutch press or not.

1st gear issue is fairly standard for this gearbox, it's an IB5 which is old tech now.  It can help if you slot into 2nd  and then back to 1st or lift the clutch slightly rather than just keep trying to ram it in.

19 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Have you tried not pressing the clutch?  If it doesn't start then it's a necessity on your car.  If it does start then it's just a good practice suggestion.  I can't remember if the Mk7 PFL does need a clutch press or not.

1st gear issue is fairly standard for this gearbox, it's an IB5 which is old tech now.  It can help if you slot into 2nd  and then back to 1st or lift the clutch slightly rather than just keep trying to ram it in.

Sounds like solid advice to me. Thank you

On 9/5/2022 at 9:41 AM, TomsFocus said:

I have always pressed the clutch as good practice, despite rarely leaving my own car in gear (unless on a steep hill).  Funnily enough, one of the few times I didn't press the clutch I was scanning a mates car with diags...ignition was on so I just flicked the key round to start, and the car of course lurched forwards and stalled.  Awkward.   

I stopped in a layby for a few minutes and when I came back my car had rolled into the middle of the road (luckily quiet) I now always leave it in gear!

Hand brake not working?

6 hours ago, Cragrat said:

Hand brake not working?

Just hadn't pulled it tight

As a further update to the gear problem. It seems to be a daily occurrence now and even when the car is moving, i have trouble selecting 1st, 2nd and tonight 3rd. I worry that this is indeed dangerous. If it is a little kink of the IB5,  does it normally affect the first 3 gears and is there a fix for it.

I love my little fiesta, it's great on fuel, is in great condition and has low mileage

With the engine OFF can you easily move between gears ?

Next with the engine running and holding the clutch pedal fully down can you easily move between gears ?

It maybe that the gearbox is just in need of a service, or you may have some clutch drag. Let us know the answer to the two questions above.

20 minutes ago, unofix said:

With the engine OFF can you easily move between gears ?

Next with the engine running and holding the clutch pedal fully down can you easily move between gears ?

It maybe that the gearbox is just in need of a service, or you may have some clutch drag. Let us know the answer to the two questions above.

I'll tell you in the morning because it's a bit late here. Thanks

 

Like Tomsfocus I got into the habit of pressing the clutch when starting many years ago, as part of the routine (Handbrake, Gearlever etc.).  Just to save wear and tear on the starter/battery etc. Mind you, I go back to the late 60's when I was driving cars of the late 50's ...

11 hours ago, unofix said:

With the engine OFF can you easily move between gears ?

Next with the engine running and holding the clutch pedal fully down can you easily move between gears ?

It maybe that the gearbox is just in need of a service, or you may have some clutch drag. Let us know the answer to the two questions above.

Been and tried what you said and while running and not running, the gears change smoothly. It's the most random thing ever.

11 minutes ago, Earthworm said:

Been and tried what you said and while running and not running, the gears change smoothly. It's the most random thing ever.

That's a pity, kind of rules out the clutch (probably).

Have a good check of all the gear linkage all the way from the gearstick to the gearbox. Check carefully for any excessive wear or sloppy movement of the linkage. If everything is tight and precise as it should be then I think your next move will be to do a gearbox oil change.

I'd have to take it to the garage to get all that checked. It has just had an oil change on the gearbox. When they changed the driveshafts, they noticed it was low. There doesn't appear to be any leak since. Thanks

Think you just answered your own question. Oil was low on a gearbox with known faults. Time to start looking for a gearbox I’m afraid. Best of luck

I'm not so sure. It's not leaked and I think that was down to the cowboys who replaced the clutch and not topping up the oil. If it is a new gearbox, how much are we talking?

Maybe the clutch wasn’t bled properly or a leak in the hydraulic system? Probably worn synchro quite common I believe. Doesn’t need to leak to be faulty simply mean it has been run low of oil for a period of time only increases chance of damage. When clutch was done was slave cylinder also done?

Tbh I very much doubt that the slave was done either. After the clutch was done, i then had to take it to another garage because they had fitted the wrong driveshaft on it. I could have taken it back to the original place but i have no faith in their workmanship.

 

I've just done a 10 mile run without any problem. I'd have thought if it was the gearbox, it would be a constant problem. I'm in the unfortunate position of knowing so little about cars. Obviously i take all suggestions on here because you guys have way more knowledge than me

If it’s driving ok now maybe it will be fine now. New clutch settling in? I am not a mechanic but have reasonable knowledge. My synchro on my mondeo is worn makes getting first gear difficult at times but ok at others. For example coasting to a junction on a hill up or down ( load on drivetrain ) difficult ( no load ) flat road it’s ok. 

4 minutes ago, Papamack said:

If it’s driving ok now maybe it will be fine now. New clutch settling in? I am not a mechanic but have reasonable knowledge. My synchro on my mondeo is worn makes getting first gear difficult at times but ok at others. For example coasting to a junction on a hill up or down ( load on drivetrain ) difficult ( no load ) flat road it’s ok. 

That actually sounds kind of similar. I've had trouble getting first from standing still but last night, I was cruising around a large roundabout. Went to put it in 3rd and it wouldn't have it. Got it in to 2nd and after leaving said roundabout it was fine. 

Best thing you can do is monitor this issue see if it gets worse. My mondeo has been like this for the last 20/000 miles not really got any worse and I have learned to drive accordingly. Best of luck to you hope it works out ok for you.👍

On 9/9/2022 at 8:22 PM, Papamack said:

Best thing you can do is monitor this issue see if it gets worse. My mondeo has been like this for the last 20/000 miles not really got any worse and I have learned to drive accordingly. Best of luck to you hope it works out ok for you.👍

Thanks mate. I thought I'd replied earlier.