Reverse crunching

pitpal · 11-04-2009, 06:32 PM

Ever since the missus has brought the new zetec home there has been a constant crunching when selecting reverse(manual gearbox). Doesnt matter how softly i select reverse or gently, 90% of the time it will let of crunch.

Has anyone else had this issue before i take it for the complimentary 3k look over, and mention this to them.

cheers

svo supporter · 11-04-2009, 07:03 PM

Check the clutch adjustment is fine, as this can be a cause of the crunching you're referring to

Jess85 · 11-04-2009, 09:39 PM

i had the same thing with my WP zetec. was told to let the car warm up a bit before putting it in reverse (dont like waiting around) so i'd pump the clutch once or twice then hold in clutch and select reverse and it wouldnt crunch

pitpal · 11-04-2009, 10:14 PM

Clutch seems fine, and works with every other gear. Not sure about pumping the clutch a couple of times first as it should slot in the first time, but il give it a try.
Thanks for the info, and await anybody else with this issue.

**Linz** · 11-04-2009, 11:56 PM

I had the same problem with a Telstar years ago...selecting first gear before reverse fixed the crunching every time, but you shouldn't have to put up with this on a new car.

FTRXR8 · 12-04-2009, 12:21 AM

Stop the car completely and wait around 3 seconds and it should engage without a crunch, I find either clutch on, clutch off and clutch on if reverse is the first gear required or the three second wait if going from first to reverse seems to eliminate any crunches.

greenfoam · 12-04-2009, 07:30 AM

Seen the wife crunch reverse a few times but shes never had a manual car before and doesn't know the tricks, it hasn't happened to me. I think she assumes it's all the way in reverse when it isn't

Kariharnett · 12-04-2009, 07:35 AM

it states in the manual that you must hold the clutch in for 5 seconds before selecting the reverse gear. mine crunch;s if i dont waitr but is fine if i push the clutch in for few seconds.

Candyman2 · 12-04-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kariharnett

it states in the manual that you must hold the clutch in for 5 seconds before selecting the reverse gear. mine crunch;s if i dont waitr but is fine if i push the clutch in for few seconds.

Spot on mate - works.

The "select another gear first" does not work well at all in the WS

MISTA FIESTA · 12-04-2009, 09:43 AM

This is the same on all Fiesta Models WP, WQ, XR4, WS. Just select any forward gear then reverse. Dont need to take the clutch out. Its the design of the mechanics on the gearbox. There is nothing wrong with it and nothing for can fix.

pitpal · 12-04-2009, 09:19 PM

Read over the manual, but seems i missed that. Thanks for the input guys. Will let the missus know

Danny · 13-04-2009, 09:36 AM

There are no synchro's in Reverse gear and they ALL do it.

Pump the clutch twice and try again is all I used to do. No biggie..

zetec jim · 13-04-2009, 12:20 PM

X2 on all cars doing it.... every manual i've driven has done it. in varying degrees. don't worry about it.

Candyman2 · 13-04-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec jim

X2 on all cars doing it.... every manual i've driven has done it.

All Fords ?

I ask because I've never had this problem before on manuals (as mentioned before)

Still, the foot on the clutch works well.

pitpal · 13-04-2009, 06:32 PM

Just drove the zetec and reversed. All good! Just held down the clutch for a good 2-3 secs and slotted in nice. Havent tried pumping the clutch yet. Easier just to keep it down

zetec jim · 13-04-2009, 09:39 PM

so far as my experience, although haven't driven another manual ford but the Fez...(97' pug 306, 01' Golf, '08 Polo GTI) but come to think of it, the 67' Bug didn't do it. hehe.

greenfoam · 14-04-2009, 05:58 AM

Ford ran the T5 almost forever and they struggle to get into reverse on Holdens, it's the same box so surely they do the same on the Falcons. What about toploaders, you can struggle to get ANY gear in those old monsters

vztrt · 16-05-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenfoam

Ford ran the T5 almost forever and they struggle to get into reverse on Holdens, it's the same box so surely they do the same on the Falcons.

Reverse is fine. Notchy from 2 to 3 and be a pain in 1st.

pitpal · 13-05-2009, 05:24 PM

The missus has done just over 6000 now and took the zetec in for its complimentary service. Got them to dump the oil(and as usual they overfilled it) and questioned them on the reverse crunching. Gave them a demo on it including leaving the clutch down for 2-3 secs in which they told me that i shouldnt have to do this. Its to be looked at when the 15k service is due. Keep you all posted on the outcome if any

Candyman2 · 13-05-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitpal

Its to be looked at when the 15k service is due. Keep you all posted on the outcome if any

Ours goes in this Saturday, have this on the list.

Others include rattles on the seat belts on the B pillar, the USB update, heavy fuel smell after switching off, loose carpet in the footwells, freebie (dealer promised full tank at delivery and it was empty).

Nothing else I can think of.

pitpal · 14-05-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candyman2

Ours goes in this Saturday, have this on the list.

Others include rattles on the seat belts on the B pillar, the USB update, heavy fuel smell after switching off, loose carpet in the footwells, freebie (dealer promised full tank at delivery and it was empty).

Nothing else I can think of.

Has yours consumed any oil ? Ours dropped about 6-7 ml on the dipstick. Hopefully now that it is run in this will settle.

Candyman2 · 14-05-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitpal

Has yours consumed any oil ? Ours dropped about 6-7 ml on the dipstick. Hopefully now that it is run in this will settle.

Nope, has not used any oil.

Candyman2 · 15-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitpal

Gave them a demo on it including leaving the clutch down for 2-3 secs in which they told me that i shouldnt have to do this.

Hopefully, the stories about Ford service techs are not true in this case because if they say we shouldn't have to do it then it should be fixable ...

Will look forward to what they can do for you and I'll see what they can sort out at our service tomorrow.

zetec · 13-05-2009, 09:29 PM

Just about every Fiesta I've driven does it. It's normal as far as I can tell. And I'm talking back to WP Fiesta too.

Piotr · 13-05-2009, 10:02 PM

In mine I find going 3rd-4th and then Reverse does the trick

Zetec Dave · 14-05-2009, 12:02 AM

Have yet to find out if there is any crunching on the new Fiesta , but my Polo Gti definately does it occasionally and I don't like the sound of it either. Might get it checked out on my next service.

MISTA FIESTA · 14-05-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

In mine I find going 3rd-4th and then Reverse does the trick

In mine I find going 4th and then Reverse does the trick also. One less step. HAHHA

Kariharnett · 15-05-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

In mine I find going 3rd-4th and then Reverse does the trick

So really your pushing your clutch in selecting third and fourth then reverse???!??!?!?
Lets say it takes 3 - 4 seconds to do that menouvre, at the same time you have your clutch in to do that........ wouldnt you think to just push your clutch in for 3 seconds to save wear and tear on having to unnesesary wear on the gear box?

Piotr · 15-05-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kariharnett

So really your pushing your clutch in selecting third and fourth then reverse???!??!?!?
Lets say it takes 3 - 4 seconds to do that menouvre, at the same time you have your clutch in to do that........ wouldnt you think to just push your clutch in for 3 seconds to save wear and tear on having to unnesesary wear on the gear box?

Id hate to see how slow your gear shifts are. The process is alot quicker than 3 seconds.

The gearbox would get no wear and tear from those movements

greenfoam · 14-05-2009, 08:08 PM

Ours needed half a litre or so at 8000ks, went below the add line infact, no chance they would last the 15,000ks. That's crazy anyway I have no idea why they leave it so long

. Ours uses more fuel now than when we got it, I'm sure it wants some nice clean proper oil in it. But it's done over 10,000 ks no rattles or any problems so far. It used to smell when new, just the exhaust burning some paint off I'd guess, it wasn't fuel.

Well one thing I have noticed is the gearbox is getting stiff to change gears, seems to be when the car is cold. It's very notchy I never noticed this early on, other times I don't notice so I don't know whats going with that, maybe I just have no skills

I've never been able to get it under 5.7l/100 on a 100km trip, the wife can't get it under 6.1 on the same road. I did find a smooth road once and saw 5.5 for a while but on fresh road that's still rough and hasn't worn down yet It wont do better than 6.5/100. It's very dependant on road surface, I wonder if they got the fuel figures back to front because I can get under 5.0 in town

but no chance on the highway