197 R27 - 4th gear GONE on low miles car

[DarrenM]

Gents, after 4 years of ownership we sold the wifes low miles (33k) 2 owner from new R27 yesterday..was a very sad day!

Had a call from the new owner today, apparently on his way home (few hundred mile journey) 4th gear went after coming off the motorway. Something along the lines of "coming of the motorway onto sliproad, changing down from 6th to 5th, then 4th to 3rd, then wouldn't go back into 4th and seems to have lost it all together".

Now firstly, I can honestly say we have never had any problems with this car, it's always had that niggly 3rd to 4th very minor "crunch" ever since we've had it, certainly nothing major and happily a car I'd trust to jump in and drive to Europe & back no probs. We (along with previous owner) have always had it serviced as per schedule and never scrimped on anything. Early on in the cars life (with the previous owner) it also had the replacement box fitted.

So, what could have caused this? (my initial thoughts were over rev's coming off a motorway coming down through the box, he assures me it wasn't but I've NEVER had any problems like this). He has already spoken with one Renault specialist and they mentioned the synchro but this is normally a 3rd gear problem. They've also mentioned figures of around £1000.00 as a fix!!

Now, as sound as the new owner is, he's obviously pretty p~$$ed off about this so wondered if any of you guys could shed any light? Sure, I've sold the car and it isn't my problem but I genuinely feel sorry for the guy and want to help any way I can..??

 

[CallorFold]

Since it was perfectly fine on his way to the motorway, it certainly seems like something he's managed to do when coming off the M-way.

Seems a bit random to drop down through every gear too? Personally I just come off in 6th and brake/clutch down until I reach the lights and stop/gear select as necessary. I've definitely never gone 6-5-4-3....

Maybe he actually meant to select 6th and slammed it in 4th instead? Impossible to tell really, but ultimately, like you said, it's not really your "problem" and the car was in working order when you sold it....

 

[Matt W]

Seems a bit random to drop down through every gear too? Personally I just come off in 6th and brake/clutch down until I reach the lights and stop/gear select as necessary. I've definitely never gone 6-5-4-3....

Interesting technique!

 

[CallorFold]

Interesting technique!

Easy to brake in 6th gear all the way down to about 30mph, then clutch down, still braking slightly and throw it in 3rd? Total waste of time going from 6th to 5th to 4th to 3rd....massive amount of unnecessary wear on the clutch and gearbox...

 

[Chrisgti6]

Easy to brake in 6th gear all the way down to about 30mph, then clutch down, still braking slightly and throw it in 3rd? Total waste of time going from 6th to 5th to 4th to 3rd....massive amount of unnecessary wear on the clutch and gearbox...

Exactly hpow you are taught to drive. Slow to the speed you require then select the appropriate gear. Gone are the days where engine braking is taught.

 

[Kazumz]

I just use gearing to slow down...

Used 10% of my front pads over a year by using gears. Providing you get the revs right it's minimal wear on your clutch and box too.

Although it is a bit shiytre when you get the car to jump and you feel that hole in your wallet get bigger.

Yeah, you guys are correct though, that's the way most people are taught!

 

[Chris]

On topic....

Id say theres not a great deal you can do to be honest. If you've never had a problem with it and have sold it in good faith then its just one of them things that happens. I do find it a little 'coincidental' given you've never had trouble though...


Did notice that about you actually Kaz when I was following you on the Wales run. For me though, id rather a new set of brake pads than a clutch and gearbox :d

 

[Kazumz]

On topic....

Id say theres not a great deal you can do to be honest. If you've never had a problem with it and have sold it in good faith then its just one of them things that happens. I do find it a little 'coincidental' given you've never had trouble though...


Did notice that about you actually Kaz when I was following you on the Wales run. For me though, id rather a new set of brake pads than a clutch and gearbox :d

Aye I did have a few dogey shifts but all in due practice, one of those things that takes a long time to learn. Mine's on its way out anyway.

Anyway, on topic, Chris is correct. It was all working and you sold in good faith. You should just tell them they should have shifted properly.

 

[DarrenM]

Thanks for the replies gents, it does seem odd in the 4 years of ownership we've never had any problems, yet literally on it's maiden journey home with new owner it suddenly goes. It's also made me think, as it' had been driving on the motorway for few hours, it's obviously up to working temperature so makes it even more strange, surely the box would be even smoother after such a run? So any ideas (if it WASN'T a dodgy downshift like he says) what would cause it?

The car's only done about 33k miles and actually had quite an easy life, I know he was going to speak to Renault UK but I do feel sorry for the guy and would like to help somehow if I can, even if it's just compiling a few possibilities.

 

[Kazumz]

Thanks for the replies gents, it does seem odd in the 4 years of ownership we've never had any problems, yet literally on it's maiden journey home with new owner it suddenly goes. It's also made me think, as it' had been driving on the motorway for few hours, it's obviously up to working temperature so makes it even more strange, surely the box would be even smoother after such a run? So any ideas (if it WASN'T a dodgy downshift like he says) what would cause it?

The car's only done about 33k miles and actually had quite an easy life, I know he was going to speak to Renault UK but I do feel sorry for the guy and would like to help somehow if I can, even if it's just compiling a few possibilities.

If he's used to a type R, he could have overreved it by listening to the sound.

You can contribute if you want, but I wouldn't bother. To be honest, if he knows about 197/200 he could have done it on purpose to get you to pay for a new box (gamble). Yes a gearbox is smoother after a long journey.

Sold as seen mate, worked fine when you had it. If the guy can't shift, that's his problem. To be honest, it's good that it went in his company, not yours.

 

[Matt W]

He might have heard the gearboxes can go, and chanced you giving him some cash even though it's perfect!

 

[Kazumz]

He might have heard the gearboxes can go, and chanced you giving him some cash even though it's perfect!

Good point actually...

Have you seen any evidence that it's gone?

 

[DarrenM]

Nope, not seen or asked for any evidence. I'm normally quite a good judge of character and doubt this to be the case tho.

 

[Kazumz]

Nope, not seen or asked for any evidence. I'm normally quite a good judge of character and doubt this to be the case tho.

Don't give him any money. It indirectly speaks for itself - that you knew it was perhaps faulty and now feel guilty.

Sold as seen, as mentioned before.

 

[DarrenM]

Sure, well it was definately not showing any signs of it before hand anyway.

But what but what could have caused it is my question?

 

[cliovirgin]

Coming off motorway, onto slip road, i'd be in 4th gear. Reckon he's gone from 6th to 3rd.

 

[montana]

Sure, well it was definately not showing any signs of it before hand anyway.

But what but what could have caused it is my question?

There's too many variables involved to give you an accurate assessment , other than the ideas floated around above .

It sounds like you may be beating yourself up about it , forget it and move on. It doesn't sound like you have acted dishonestly.

(On a side note, was he granny shifting and not double clutching like he should !? )

 

[knuckles]

Easy to brake in 6th gear all the way down to about 30mph, then clutch down, still braking slightly and throw it in 3rd? Total waste of time going from 6th to 5th to 4th to 3rd....massive amount of unnecessary wear on the clutch and gearbox...

But its soooooo much more fun to heel and toe down through the gears.