Caterham sigma 1.6 cannot disengage gear on track day

Caterham sigma 1.6 cannot disengage gear on track day

Author
Discussion

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

50 months

Monday 3rd May 2021
quotequote all
Hi All,

First track day in Caterham. Ex academy car, 5spd box and 1.6 engine.

Really enjoying Bedford and starting to remember the corners when I had an issue. I couldn't disengage the gear. Clutch pedal to floor, it felt normal when pressing. At first, it just needed the clutch pedal lifted off and pressed again. Went into pits, drove around carefully and all seemed well. Back out on track and it happened again, trying to shift out of fourth and the gear stick wouldn't budge. Pulled over, still wouldn't budge after a couple of minutes. Limped the car back to pits, sat for a few minutes more, on and off the clutch pedal and eventually it came free. Didn't do more work on track as I had to get the car home on the road. Drove 2 hrs home, no issues at all.

I've given it the old google but nothing seems similar to my issue. Any ideas welcome.

Thanks,

John

upsidedownmark

2,120 posts

141 months

Tuesday 4th May 2021
quotequote all
First thing to ascertain is whether it's a hydraulic or cable clutch. Thought they were all cable, but I don't know the sigmas, and they may not be. Would be weird symptoms for a cable clutch, so I suspect hydraulic, and issues with one of the cylinders. If it's cable, change the cable - simple and not expensive.

Zoobeef

6,004 posts

164 months

Tuesday 4th May 2021
quotequote all
Cracked syncro rings on 4th gear.
A little piece breaks off and jams the gear.

Zoobeef

6,004 posts

164 months

Tuesday 4th May 2021
quotequote all
Cracks appear each side of those little pieces and eventually break off.


BertBert

19,519 posts

217 months

Wednesday 5th May 2021
quotequote all
From the symptoms described, I agree much more likely to be gearbox than clutch. Sounds like time for a gearbox refresh.

upsidedownmark

2,120 posts

141 months

Wednesday 5th May 2021
quotequote all
Indeed.. I missed the obvious check which is to press the clutch and see if it disengages. If it does, it's not the clutch..

BertBert

19,519 posts

217 months

Wednesday 5th May 2021
quotequote all
upsidedownmark said:
Indeed.. I missed the obvious check which is to press the clutch and see if it disengages. If it does, it's not the clutch..
It's easy to disengage a gear with or without a working clutch. That was the clue for me.

upsidedownmark

2,120 posts

141 months

Wednesday 5th May 2021
quotequote all
Not doing well with phrasing! I meant 'see if the clutch disengages the driveline', not if it allows the gear to disengage. You're also of course right that if you roll off the power with some pressure on the gear lever it should easily disengage the gear without use of clutch.

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

50 months

Thursday 6th May 2021
quotequote all
Thanks everyone. Off to the shop. I've got a couple of options but would be happy to take a recommendation for a specialist. I'm in Croydon, South London.

Thanks

Tazio77

224 posts

268 months

Thursday 6th May 2021
quotequote all
Go to the acknowledged specialist , Road and Race Transmissions, Unit 2, Filston Farm, Filston Lane, Sevenoaks TN14 5JU, 01959-525105, talk to Phil or Ollie.

Lemoncurd

175 posts

223 months

Thursday 6th May 2021
quotequote all
Tazio77 said:
Go to the acknowledged specialist , Road and Race Transmissions, Unit 2, Filston Farm, Filston Lane, Sevenoaks TN14 5JU, 01959-525105, talk to Phil or Ollie.
Yep, seconded.

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

50 months

Thursday 6th May 2021
quotequote all
Perfect. Thanks

BertBert

19,519 posts

217 months

Friday 7th May 2021
quotequote all
upsidedownmark said:
Not doing well with phrasing! I meant 'see if the clutch disengages the driveline', not if it allows the gear to disengage. You're also of course right that if you roll off the power with some pressure on the gear lever it should easily disengage the gear without use of clutch.
Gotcha!

hilts uk

80 posts

96 months

Monday 10th May 2021
quotequote all
Did the academy last year and at least 2 people needed new gearboxes before the season was out. Reverse and 2nd start to go first. The gear boxes will take a battering depending on who the driver was.

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

50 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
quotequote all
Have been in touch with the company suggested, they only want the box rather than the whole car.

Anyone able to recommend a garage that might be able to diagnose ahead of removing engine/box in the Croydon/south London area?

Thanks,

John

BertBert

19,519 posts

217 months

Tuesday 11th May 2021
quotequote all
What about Andy Belcher? Well known specialist
http://www.communitywalk.com/location/tech7/info/7...

Boggo

152 posts

60 months

Wednesday 12th May 2021
quotequote all
I wouldn't waste money on diagnoses - but if you need someone to take it out you've got Seven and Classics at brands hatch, Boss Racing down that way too, or if you have deep pockets - Deep Pockets Racing (DPR). A bit further north is PT sports cars.

They will all send you to R&R for the rebuild though, will likely cost around £500 for the rebuild depending on how much needs replacing. Remove and re-fit probably 4-5hrs labour