Hard to select 1st gear. Intermittent

[Andy_l]

Hi over the last few months intermittently when Iv stopped during my journey, it has become very hard to select any gears. When I move the gear stick it feel like there’s a plate blocking me into gear so when forced it clunks in. Iv read online it could be the gear cables need re adjusting. Clutch feels fine gear oil replaced.
Has anyone had any experience of this ??
Cheers

 

[Loz]

Sounds like clutch drag, does it work better if you pump the clutch a bit?

 

[Andy_l]

Sounds like clutch drag, does it work better if you pump the clutch a bit?

No makes no difference it’s just like ur hitting a plate but then other times it’s soft and slips in. So annoying

 

[CJW]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but regarding pumping the clutch, I tried mine today and lo and behold it did make a difference. Mine's only ever tricky when cold and always goes in - just sometimes takes a little encouragement. My question is for @Loz - what would the need to pump the clutch indicate please? Is it that the hydraulic clutch needs bleeding?

 

[DXX]

Check the brake fluid reservoir level is not dropping. It will almost certainly be below minimum anyway as it will reduce as the brake pads wear.
Put a pen mark on the reservoir with the brakes cold and check it after a few miles driving to compare again with cold brakes, preferably parked in the same spot you made the initial mark.
If it’s going down you have a leak.

 

[Loz]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but regarding pumping the clutch, I tried mine today and lo and behold it did make a difference. Mine's only ever tricky when cold and always goes in - just sometimes takes a little encouragement. My question is for @Loz - what would the need to pump the clutch indicate please? Is it that the hydraulic clutch needs bleeding?

Possible leak, slave cylinder seal failed, or as @DXX said, low on fluid (shared with brakes)

 

[CJW]

Thank you both. And thank you for adding that the brake fluid is shared with clutch fluid - I did not know that.

 

[CJW]

Well I checked the level and it was full right to the top - as in above the gauze - after being serviced by VW in November. It's above the max level - should I syringe it out? Can being over-full damage anything?

 

[DXX]

Well I checked the level and it was full right to the top - as in above the gauze - after being serviced by VW in November. It's above the max level - should I syringe it out? Can being over-full damage anything?

There needs to be an air gap to allow for thermal expansion, yes syringe it out to the max‘ level, you’ll probably need to pull the gauze out to do it.
Be careful not to spill it as it will damage paintwork, also watch out for traces on your fingers when you open the doors.
It doesn’t surprise me that VW overfilled, I had a service agreement when I bought my van and they couldn’t even get the engine oil level correct.

 

[CJW]

Thank you @DXX