Difficult to engage 1st gear and reverse 

Thank you! Appreciate it

There's a lot of bad pressure plates on the market these days.... If it's hard to get in 1st year say like a 3:00 PM when it's warmed up That's another sign of a back pressure plate after you replaced the master and slave 1,000,000 times.... Ask me how I know

Next time that happens try instead on shifting into reverse try pumping the clutch pedal several time and see if it’s easy to engage gear immediately afterwards, if so you may have a hydraulic problem with master or slave cylinder

@@EuropeanAutoRepair Cool, I'll try that out. Thanks for the tip 👍

I have the exact same problem on my 02 civic, it’s not all the time. But sometimes after a standstill I shift back into first gear from neutral and it’s gets jammed half way and it won’t let me proceed, I usually shift back to neutral and first about 3 time before it finally engages 🫤

t You can talk to me about it I'm a 1st gear expert

Same problem but mines just reverse in 2000 mitsubishi eclipse gt im just scared this is goin to happen at high speeds or even the freeway

Good luck man, Let me know what he comes up with

@@EuropeanAutoRepairso i just got my truck back today and it was exactly what you said lol. The clutch wasn’t fully disengaging and something about the flywheel wasn’t catching or whatever. Thank god he didn’t charge me anything, it was a free fix since he worked on the clutch only 2 months ago I think. He did say over time it’ll happen with regular wear and tear so bring it back to him again whenever. Hopefully it doesn’t happen for many years to come.

@@aust816so your clutch was messed up?

Thank you I appreciate that, I’m not too sure on that particular model, so you can shift through the gears well with the engine off and clutch pedal depressed?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair so on my way into work, applying your knowledge, when disengaging the clutch and pushing it back down, allows me to smoothly put it into first, when engine off, it struggles a bit but seems to find first so I’m thinking clutch? I’m bringing it in next week

Clutch, same on mine

Reverse doesn't have a synchronizer..... Did the terminator clutch get is bad Start the engine neutral and see how much the clutch fork is shaking..... Listen for a boat motor noise between each gear.... Do you have to rebleed the clutch every 6 days?... If all the gear shift smoothly even hot except for reverse you're doing really good.... Aftermarket clutches are very sensitive.... If you have any questions just ask me

With the engine not running can you shift?

If pumping the clutch pedal helps you get into gear it’s possible you are experiencing a hydraulic issue

No problem, thanks for watching

I’m sorry I wish I could help you out more. It sounds like a likely internal trans issue, im not sure of common problem on that particular transmission

Are you using the correct fluid. I’ve seen issues in the past with the friction agents not working well with some synchos. Using factory fluid might be a good idea to eliminate that possibility. Does it feel as though it’s grinding into gears?

It could be a input shaft bearing in the transmission or possibly a throw out bearing, seems more likely that you’re having a internal transmission problem

It’s very possible that the clutch isn’t fully disengaging, can’t be 100% from over here but might be worth having a local shop give you a second opinion

Have same problem just started happening my car well looked after got new clutch new gear oil to just Frist gear rest are perfect

@@ryandudgeon782 yes I have actually considered changing the gear oil as they around 80000 miles on my vechile but every mechanic tells me it won’t make a difference maybe it’s linkage adjustment issue that why I haven’t done it and as for the clutch seems to be the original one but it not slipping which makes me think it hasn’t worn

@@asadsharif511 no harm in doing the gear oil it's ever 50 60 miles has to be done they told me same so went else where got it done but seems to be going slightly worse I also have new slave cylinder ya your clutch sound good you'd no anyways my the bite

Yeah start with a transmission service or minimally verify the level is correct

It could be either, my guess on that model is a clutch kit will fix it

@@EuropeanAutoRepair I did bleed out air and felt much better

Air in your clutch lines

Might be a internal transmission issue, im not too familiar with that particular transmission

If you pump the clutch pedal quickly several times does selecting a gear become easier?

Not a problem with cap, I would push more fluid through the system before I tried anything else, make she that you clutch pedal is all the way out when bleeding system, may want to use a pressure bleeder

@@EuropeanAutoRepair clutch/brake fluid is brand new, attempted pressure bleed and thought It was coming out without bubbles but I’m going to try traditional pedal bleed and see if there are bubbles. Maybe let it gravity bleed longer? Is there a way to check for air leaks that I can’t see that don’t push fluid?

@@Jmac29181 is the bleeder hose that you are using clear? That makes it easier to see air leaving the system, im not too familiar with that application but if things get real weird and you still think you have air I’ve had some luck with reverse bleeding

I’m not too sure on that, I’d have a local shop take a look at that maybe

Heat related warped pressure play Using master and slave cylinder that doesn't come from the dealer that's heat sensitive..... You can always bleed the clutch every week that's what I do..... I'm really fast at it... Gravity bleeding simple

I’m not 100% sure on that one, it’s possible that you have early signs of a clutch problem, if you can drive around it without too much trouble might just do that until the issue becomes more troublesome

@@EuropeanAutoRepair thanks, it's been like that for three years 🤣

Lol dang, keep going!

@@EuropeanAutoRepair i have it also i goes hard in second gear and in reverse. What is the fix for this replace a new clutch? Or giving the clutch new oil? If its a little warmer it shifts better

First you have to address the possible lack of hydraulic pressure

I would verify it’s not a shifter linkage issue first I think, what kind of car is it?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair hyundai ix35 manual. 2013 year.

Same did you fix this

Yup! When they are adjustable that’s the best place to start. Sadly very few vehicles I work on these days are.

If you pump the clutch pedal several times quickly can you engage the gear immediately afterwards?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair didn't try it. But second or third attempts to engage the first gear after vehicle stop are usually enaging easier. Will try the pumping method next time and come back with updates. Thanks for the feedback !

The verdict : used clutch and too much hydraulic fluid. So I replaced the hydraulic fluid and leaved only fluid up to the max level. The car started shifting gears very smoothly, as if the clutch is new :D Thanks once again for this video !

That’s great, I’m happy you got to the bottom of it

That delay valve is more about dampening the release of the clutch

@@EuropeanAutoRepair Ah thanks! not that then, if I can engage gears smoothly with the engine off, but have difficulty engaging first with engine on, would you say needs a new clutch?

I can’t say with 100% certainty but it’s pretty likely that’s what’s going on, if you pump the clutch pedal several times does it help?

What is the issue exactly? Can you not engage a gear when it's running and can with its off?

Legit have the same problem

@@EuropeanAutoRepair I have the same problem and the car goes into all gears fine when the car is off. When it's on after 5 minutes of driving time is usually when it starts to happen. It won't go into first so I'll take it out and try and again and usually the 2nd time it'll go in. I swapped everything already so I'm thinking maybe my short throw shifter is going bad?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair yeah basically have a a difficulty first sometimes and reserve is sometimes impossible

@@KibbsTV If you can select the gears properly with the car off and not with the car running sounds more like a mechanical or hydraulic clutch issue

No problem man, thanks for watching, hope the job goes smooth

Yeah a worn clutch disc usually causes slipping in high tq situations and many times difficult gear engagement. What’s nice about diagnosing a failing slave cyl is unless it’s the type that is built into the release bearing it’s a visible leak, simple one chamber piston in bore kinda thing, just from the drivers seat it’s likely to manifest as difficult or not possible gear engagement with vehicle running

@@EuropeanAutoRepair Thanks! I have a BMW 118d from 2006. I have the issue your describing on the video. When the car is stationary I have problems putting it in to gear, only when engine is running. When I manage to select a gear, and I keep the clutch in, I can easy select all gears. But as soon as I release the clutch in neutral, the press the clutch, I have the difficulty to select a gear again. No problems when car is moving, only stationary. Looks like it’s the clutch that needs replacing if I understand you correctly. Again thanks for the video and your answer

I can’t say 100% but it sounds like a clutch problem to me, thanks for watching

It’s hard to say, when you accelerate do you feel as though the clutch is slipping?

@EuropeanAutoRepair Not really...the RPMs may fluctuate a bit (up & down) when I stop, til its warmed up

Well if you aren’t grinding into gears you likely aren’t damaging anything other than your clutch kit and flywheel.

@EuropeanAutoRepair Sometimes there's a slight grind, shifting into 5th gear, and same with 1st...but not often. Once the car is warmed up, shifting is fine

Typically old oil will not cause much as far a shifting concerns but incorrect fluid can cause the syncros not to grip correctly and grind into gears

Sounds like it might be a trans issue, I’m not too familiar with that model

I am not familiar with that model as they never came to the states, I would see if you can find a alignment procedure for the shift cables and reset them before I tried anything else I think,

Dang! Sounds like a clutch job, sorry man

Its most likely a clutch problem or hydraulic issue with clutch system

On your car I believe the clutch slave cylinder is built into the throw out bearing so that’s basically a clutch job either way

@@EuropeanAutoRepair so simply being low on transmission fluid wouldn’t be the issue, correct? When you say clutch job, what are some rough numbers on repairs for something like that?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair also, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and help me out with this.

I’m not too sure on that model, I’d guess 1500 dollar area

Wow, sounds like a strange one, let me know when it’s resolved, likely it’ll get a transmission huh?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair Do I need to replace the whole clutch kit? It is a manual transmission. But I can change gear if its off but if its on. That's where it gets tricky

Yeah shouldnt make much difference but if the gears aren’t lined up well might let the input shaft rotate slightly and move into place better

The only thing I’ve seen really act temp sensitive as far as shifting is trans fluid type, not a bad idea to start by installing the factory recommended fluid

It’s possible you have a shifter alignment issue

@@EuropeanAutoRepair honestly I'm not into this but what's needed to be done to fix it

@@EuropeanAutoRepair asked my friend and he said that I needed only fluid change

That may be the case, depends on make and model

Yes, if you replaced a hydraulic component related to the clutch it may need to be bled again

Sorry about that

Replace clutch kit if you have trouble selecting gear only with vehicle running and hydraulic issues are ruled out

Relating to this , brand new quality clutch kit and flywheel (exedy) Having this exact same issue, thank you for this vid btw! was perfect before and hydraulics check and triple checked. Stage 1 clutch and lightweight flywheel now though. Chances my master cylinder was fine with oem but can’t hold the enough for the new clutch? or should I look elsewhere if it was perfect before the clutch change ?

If it was perfect before the clutch change and now you can’t select a gear with the car running and you’ve already bled the system properly something is up with that clutch kit, I’ve even seen clutch disks installed backwards in the past

Thanks for the reply. I did actually look into that and in my case thank goodness If it was out in backwards I wouldn’t be able to get it into any gear. I checked with my oem one after the fact thinking why didn’t I triple check this when installing? I just installed the new one and the same configuration. So I’m good there. I guess I have to suck into and pull off the trans to check it out 😢. being I was planning on the EM2 CMC Upgrade. I figure it won’t hurt to swap the cmc out and hope for the best but I’m mentally prepared that I’m probably going to have to pull the trans. While it is totally driveable and all I need to do is double clutch or put the shifter into 2nd then first when this occurs. I don’t want to ruin anything and I also am too picky to live with this when I know it supposed to drive perfectly. I almost wonder had I left the oem clutch alone would I be dealing with this 🤔 Thanks again

If you pump the clutch pedal a couple times and then quickly try to select a gear does it improve the shift? What kind of car are we talking about out of curiosity? Just wondering if it uses a release lever on the throw out bearing

If you select first with the car off and start it does it roll forward when you have clutch pedal depressed?

Flushing transmission fluid is a good idea after being in that much water as well, sometimes it gets in the vent

@@EuropeanAutoRepair yes it gors forward but then it quickly dies because its like if I am not pressing the clutch

@@EuropeanAutoRepair that is the only think I can think of because as I said, there is no leaks anywhere I checked everywhere

@@pablonoriega4017 it’s possible the clutch disk rusted to the flywheel or pressure plate, just a guess

What model car?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair f150 4.9 1990

Sounds like it might be a linkage or transmission issue, can you shift into gear with engine off?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair yeah shifts off fine

Is it the same with the engine running as it is with it off?

@@EuropeanAutoRepair when the engine is off mine is super easy all gears go super super smooth . I just changed the cluth and pressure plate . But its so hard to put in 1 gear or reverse . Not always but 50% of the time

@@EuropeanAutoRepair i found out when the car is not fully stopped, and i change fast into 1 gear when im driving on 7-8 km/h goes super smooth most of the times . But when im fully stopped is super hard most of the times , and the other times i gotta double or triple cluth but i can still hear a grrup noise when i go on first gear

Might be time for a clutch kit

Have you already tried bleeding the clutch fluid