CAN engage gears with engine off but CAN'T with engine running

Hi Chaps
As some of you will know I have just carried out a full nut and bolt restoration of an 1982 MK1 Golf GTi.

I have had issues getting the gear linkage sorted. My local mechanic who knows his VW's took a look and set it up the best he could but did say that one of the linkage rods; the one closest to the bulkhead is not the correct rod. He said that this may cause a stiff change.

I tried the car but after a couple of miles it became almost impossible to engage any gears.

I have just been under the car trying to make adjustments but have a strange issue.

With the engine off, the gear stick feels good, neutral feels springy and there are gears there, it no doubt needs adjustment to find all gears but the gears it does go into work and require no effort to engage.

As soon as you switch the engine on (even if you leave your foot on the clutch whilst turning the car on) the gears become virtually impossible to select….

What is my problem??

I have tightened the clutch cable, the gear box has oil.

Please help

put it in gear, press the clutch pedal then crank it on the starter, does the car try to move? if so your clutch isnt disengaging properly

rubjonny said

put it in gear, press the clutch pedal then crank it on the starter, does the car try to move? if so your clutch isnt disengaging properly

Thanks for such a fast reply.

How do you mean?

Put it in first - press clutch - start car??

yep! this test will show you if the clutch is fully disengaging or not. if the car moves or the engine turns over sluggish as if its got drag on it then the clutch needs a look. if it cranks over just fine as per usual then look at the linkages

this thread may help with linkages, pics might help you id the part thats wrong:
Gear Change Linkage - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

rubjonny said

yep! this test will show you if the clutch is fully disengaging or not. if the car moves or the engine turns over sluggish as if its got drag on it then the clutch needs a look. if it cranks over just fine as per usual then look at the linkages

this thread may help with linkages, pics might help you id the part thats wrong:
Gear Change Linkage - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Ok, have a look at this:

Golf Mk1 gears - YouTube

I know it is not running perfectly but I did a video. I start it without foot on clutch and then do the same with it in first and foot on the clutch.

It starts and sounds the same. Would you therefore def say linkage??

Had I tried changing gear the second time with my foot on the clutch I would not been able to get into any gear (without forcing it)

Cheers

yeah looks like it, on my cab i did all the linkages but forgot the bushes on the bottom of the stick itself and that made it a bit of a git to select gears

But what happens when I start the engine which make it impossible to select gears?

When it was set up the other day I pulled off fine but after 2 miles it got impossible to select again

Cheers

this is the question, my thoughts are as things heat up stuff expands possibly?  make sure you have all the linkage bushes sorted including the ones under the stick anyway to be sure all the easy stuff is definitely fine. as i say compare what you have to the pictures in the guide above too, if you have incorrect parts fitted this would also explain it possibly!

basically its either a linkage, gearbox or clutch problem. and you want it to be a linkage problem

since its had a full nut and bolt restoration i'll assume its not this, but theres the age old bulkhead split problem where the clutch cable goes thru, maybe its weak here?

rubjonny said

this is the question, my thoughts are as things heat up stuff expands possibly?  make sure you have all the linkage bushes sorted including the ones under the stick anyway to be sure all the easy stuff is definitely fine. as i say compare what you have to the pictures in the guide above too, if you have incorrect parts fitted this would also explain it possibly!

basically its either a linkage, gearbox or clutch problem. and you want it to be a linkage problem

since its had a full nut and bolt restoration i'll assume its not this, but theres the age old bulkhead split problem where the clutch cable goes thru, maybe its weak here?

Hi
Bulkheads is very strong.
It cant be a heat thing as it is literally as soon as you turn the key and its running the gears go (instantly).

Something is not right

It has to be linkage because as I say the mechanic had it driving ok but only for a short time.

I will have a look at the diagram. I know one rod is wrong but  would be surprised if one rod could mean the diff between a great feeling box and one that wont engage any gears?