Gearbox in neutral still engaged?

[Lyngeled]

Hi
I tired to lift up one rear wheel to turn the gears but when it's in neutral the engine still turns when the wheels turn, what's that? Maybe it is a synchro ring or it is still in the last gear. I haven't tried to roll the car, today I will do it, then I will see if I can push it in neutral as I could before.

Regards

[Europa73]

HI,

I had a similar thing happen to me.

The issue for me was that a selector fork had slipped and remained engaged when the car was in neutral. 

[surfguitar58]

I had a similar sounding thing happen to me. There is an extended disucssion about the topic here: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2710.msg26148#msg26148

I finally used an adjustable broom stick to hold the clutch in while I rocked the car back and forth ion neutral. It didn't take much force to break free and was less risky than turning the starter over in my tiny driveway. Let us know how you make out.

Tom

[Sandyman]

Good old broomsticks more than an engine compartment prop.

[jbcollier]

First try lifting up both rear wheels.  It's rare but it could have a limited slip diff.  I fit one to mine.

Still a problem?  Then I'm afraid Europa 73 is right and there is an issue in the transaxle.  The engine is not connected to the wheels when the car is in neutral, even if the clutch plate is frozen to the flywheel.  Hopefully you just need to remove the rear cover -- moderately easily done -- to sort the issue.

[4129R]

 Are you sure that the gear change rod is not worn or hitting something and it is actually moving the selector shaft sticking out of the gearbox?

I had a very worn UJ on a gear change long long ago, and selecting gears was luck.

[Lyngeled]

First try lifting up both rear wheels.  It's rare but it could have a limited slip diff.  I fit one to mine.

Still a problem?  Then I'm afraid Europa 73 is right and there is an issue in the transaxle.  The engine is not connected to the wheels when the car is in neutral, even if the clutch plate is frozen to the flywheel.  Hopefully you just need to remove the rear cover -- moderately easily done -- to sort the issue.

What would I do when both wheels are up? I think the wheels should turn opposit ways,  but I think I remember that it didn't last time.

[4129R]

If you have an LSD fitted, both wheels will turn the same way.

[2766R]

Good old broomsticks more than an engine compartment prop.

Now that you mentioned it.....

[BDA]

Install gas struts from your engine cover. Richard sells a kit or there are plans here: http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/index.htm. You won't regret it!

[Sandyman]

RD also has a strut kit.

[Sandyman]

Back to the original thread. Bobby, any luck with getting the transmission unstuck?

[Lyngeled]

No. I tried rocking it but I couldn't feel anything happening. Now I will push out the car to make the floor nicer to lie on, but continue working on the carburetors. After that I will return to the gear box. But I will open the front cover and look into it. I liked to open it up to see what is happening but it is not the best time for me now.

[Lyngeled]

BTW I felt something stopping the stick from moving forward a couple of times then it came loose again.

And I use a fiberglass surfer sail batten instead of a broom stick, it suits the car I think 😊

[surfguitar58]

I realized I may have sent you down the wrong path when JB noted a stuck clutch disk would not keep the wheels from turning if the trans is in neutral. Sounds like a different problem.
t