Gearbox troubles

Struggling to get in low gears once the car has warmed up, the longer the summer goes on the harder it gets.
someone suggested changing the gearbox oil to synthetic, is this recommend  and is it easy to do ?
just need a bit of help cheers👍

First thing would be to check the linkage adjustment, if its just 1st and 2nd you're struggling with. Also, check the clutch adjustment

duffy55 said

paul_c said

First thing would be to check the linkage adjustment, if its just 1st and 2nd you're struggling with. Also, check the clutch adjustment

From “Gearbox troubles ”

Thank you Paul, have you any idea why it would get worse as I use it more ?

From “Gearbox troubles ”

I don't know but the gearshift linkage adjustment and clutch adjustment are two things which are common ailments of the Mk1 Golf and are easy enough to check/adjust. Also check the bulkhead area where the clutch cable comes through - its possible its weak/rusty and flexing around.

If anything, a poor gearshift would get better once the car warms up, because the gearbox oil would warm up. And the synchro is needed more on lower gears than higher ones which might explain why 1st/2nd are affected more. With the age of the car, its perfectly possible that the synchros are simply worn out. So there's lots of things it could be (from your broad description) but worth eliminating some zero cost easy ones first.