Toyota Picnic

[douglasi]

Hello, would appreciate comment: got a 2.2 diesel GLS Picnic with 110K on the clock - 10 years old.

Hard to put into second on changing down. Definitely a gearbox problem, put specialised fluid in box to aid operation and oiled linkages - consequently a little better.

Has the box had it, will it get worse? Nobody else seems to have similar probs so doesn't appear to be a known fault.

Ian Douglas

[propnut]

A gearbox contains a layshaft, a driven shaft, selector forks, synchromesh, the gears (obviously) and other components. It may well be a bent selector fork or the synchro however start by checking your clutch is properly adjusted. If it is taking too close to the floor it could just be that it is not disengaging sufficiently for a smooth change. If this is not the case them I am afraid you will have to take the box out and strip it.

[douglasi]

A gearbox contains a layshaft, a driven shaft, selector forks, synchromesh, the gears (obviously) and other components. It may well be a bent selector fork or the synchro however start by checking your clutch is properly adjusted. If it is taking too close to the floor it could just be that it is not disengaging sufficiently for a smooth change. If this is not the case them I am afraid you will have to take the box out and strip it.

Thanks Propnut

Vehicle has just been serviced, given the prob outlined in earlier post thinking it was the clutch I asked for it to be adjusted. They said it was a gearbox issue. it was the garage that recommended the gearbox treatment fluid.

One of the mechanics gave me a brief explanation of double declutching procedure which also helps but what I really wonder is how long I have got - can't bring myself to sell a car with a known fault.

Garage says cost of replacement gearbox (might as well change clutch too they say) all in = £1.5K: value of vehicle + £2.5K tops, probably £2K.

Incidentally looked on quite a few customer type forums and can't find any criticism of Picnic gearboxes, auto or manual, mine's manual.

Any further advice appreciated.

Ian Douglas

[propnut]

If the clutch is taking correctly at +- half travel up from the floor then I fear you may have a synchromesh issue. If so I am afraid its a box out and on the workbench job. The synchromesh works by spinning the gear up to the speed of the higher rotational gear such that the gears more or less align hence allowing for a smooth change. Double declutching was a method used in very old cars (mainly trucks) to achieve the same result. Back then they didn't have synchromesh.

As with all things if you can do the job yourself you can save yourself thousands, literally. Gearboxes are like giant jigsaw puzzles and a bit of logic and methodical working, along with a mechanical flair is all that is required. The problem with modern transverse engines is that getting the boxes out can be a right pain in the a**e unlike the older rear wheel drive cars.

If you are not comfortable with the job my advise would be to try and locate a second hand unit from a scrap yard and get someone to change it when the do the clutch. NOW and take NOTE. DO NOT LET THEM CHARGE YOU MORE FOR CHANGING THE GEARBOX!!!!!!.

They have to take the old one out anyway to get at the clutch and as such it makes no diffs which one they put back in.

Here's a tip. Phone the garage and ask for a quote to do the clutch but DON'T mention the gearbox. Then when you take it in have the new gearbox in the boot and ask them to put it on when they do the clutch. Make sure the new gearbox has the correct amount of oil in it. Make sure you drain and refill it before taking it in. Use the correct oil.

Best of luck.

[douglasi]

Thanks I will give this route a go,

in the meantime (and sorry to groan on) what might I expect, gradual deterioration 'til the point I can't use second to change down into?

....and would you imagine that the 2.2 gearbox is any different for a diesel or petrol?

Ian

[propnut]

Thanks I will give this route a go,

in the meantime (and sorry to groan on) what might I expect, gradual deterioration 'til the point I can't use second to change down into?

....and would you imagine that the 2.2 gearbox is any different for a diesel or petrol?

Ian

Sorry, mate that is a "how long is a piece of string" question.

As for the the gearboxes they may well be different due to the different torque profiles of the different engine types. Diesels have more torque and therefore tend to rev a bit lower. Sometimes this is compensated for in the diff rather than the gearbox but I really don't know. Your gearbox will have a code on it which you can quote to the scrapyard.

If you send me a PM with that gearbox code I can see if I have the workshop manual for it. I have around 100 manuals for different Toyota boxes so it may well be in there.

[Zygimantas Laurutis]

Hey, i've just bougt Picnic too, but my gearbox failed. Seems there's high gear in and i can't get it out. I'm moving gear shift as usual (and the feel is pretty normal) but when i'm releasing cluch i't always a high gear in (and the engine naturally stops). It's 99' 2.2ltr diesel. May someone have any ideas? Or someone can send me some manual about gear box in (delete-this-part)ZygimantasLaurutis@gmail.com ?