MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Occasionally it's difficult to shift into 1st gear. I stop at a stop sign or stoplight, shift into neutral while I drink tea, then when I attempt to shift to first it will refuse. I usually shift into 3rd and 4th then bring it back and shift into first and it goes in with ease. Shall I be preparing emotionally and financially for a gearbox rebuild?
gearbox oil level is fine.
If it's only an occasional event, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine does it now & again and has done since I bought the car but otherwise the box is fine.
As Richard said, drop it into second then first.
I got so used to 2nd to 1st on old non syncro 1st cars that I do it out of habit now even though it's not necessary.
I always go from second to first on any English car. Period.
clutch is draggin...but as others said...2nd then 1st and fuggedaboudit
i was having the same issue. it got progressively worse and i ended up having to call a tow truck one day after being stuck on the side of the road. i got to the mechanic and he took a look at the engine. told his assistant to go grab some brake fluid. he poured it into the clutch reservoir (right behind the brake peddle box) and told me to pump the clutch peddle. it got stiffer and stiffer and he closed the hood and said "see you later." all was fine afterwards and has continued that way. i wasted $60 on a tow truck. you live and learn.
if the fluid level is fine, then just do as recommended and go from 2nd to 1st and you should be okay.
Ther's your problem. You drink tea and take it out of gear. Leave it in gear and drink coffee.
What Lloyd said. I had the same problem, and also sometimes hard to get into reverse. Eventually, it became almost impossible. Got it up on a friend's life and managed to peek at the throwout bearing. The carbon facing was almost totally gone. There just wasn't enough there to totally release the clutch.
Well, you could look up at this and maybe -like me- this is your problem and not the lack of brake fluid.
http://www.1978mgmidget.com/Clutch_pedal_issue.html
Yes, Israel, I would have to say that that would definitely cause a problem!!!!!