I have a 1990 mini 1000 which is difficult to get into 3rd gear?

Answer 1

your gear box needs changing

Answer 2

It seems no one has told you of mini problems like the linkage at the back on the engine sometimes comes loose tighten up the bolts that could fix this,as this tends to move and make the gears hard to find. Second take the rubber boot of in the car and remove the rubber plug on the side of the gear stick casing see if its dry spray some penetrating oil in there first and then try your gears.After that get some grease and smear over the linkage joints and around the gear stick ball. I had many old mini's in my time so found this problem.

Answer 3

Your synchronizers will probably need to be replaced. they are what keeps your gears running in a constant mesh (also known as syncrhromesh) with each other. I had 88 mustang gt with a t5 transmission. After a while it would grind everytime i shifted from 1st to 2nd then from 2nd to 3rd. Had the synchronizers replaced and that solved the problem. I know it isn't a mini but it was the same problem, and most modern transmissions are built around the same basic concept so, i would say thats your problem too. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

if you just bought the car it could be the synchros or the gear stick needs to be adjusted [due to someone previously disconnected it], pretty much all transverse systems have this facility
if its just started to do it, its most likely to be the synchromesh has become worn - this is a typical fault on most gearboxes for 3rd gear to wear out - the most used gear i guess

Answer 5

it could be a lot of things ,but you are going to have to get the gear box striped down to find the fault .

Answer 6

Usually because nobody's changed the transmission oil in 17 years.