Hello and a few questions

[leftfootleashed]

Hi, I'm new here having just bought a 54 plate Berlingo Multispace Forte, 2.0 HDI. My last couple of cars have been estates so trying something new with this car.

It was a cheap buy and has a few issues that may need attention, but I'm going into it knowingly.

The main thing is a slight crunch going into 3rd, which seems to be not unheard of and likely to be the synchromesh wearing. I guess eventually this will result in the box needing replacing/rebuilding, but it could be 5 years away (longer than I'll have the car most likely) or 5 months away, and that's a risk I'm taking. My plan is to change the gearbox oil for something thicker/better (need to do some research) to mitigate it. I also wonder if I could flush it through with something (cheap gearbox oil?) to remove any debris?

Two years ago it had two new rear tyres and a reconditioned rear axle last year. The nearside rear tyre is worn badly on the inside, but not the outside. What would cause that on a rear tyre? 

Cheers

[polar]

Hi and welcome.

You can change the gearbox oil but do not put thicker oil in just the correct spec - no point in a flush really. I doubt it will help the synchro but if used with care the gearbox can last years.

If the rear tyre is wearing on the inside i suspect the rear axle was not reconed correctly and is worn, it could also be a wheel bearing but i doubt it. Look at the rear wheel and see if its got excessive camber.

[leftfootleashed]

Thanks.

I can't really detect any camber by looking at it but I guess it must have because of the wear. I'll read up on the structure of the axle.

[oilyrag]

Welcome!
Rear tyre could be one that has been swapped from the front as it's not so easy to see the wear there - have a feel of the front treads by running your hand across the tread surface and back - if the tracking is out you'll feel an 'edge' on one side of each tread.
You can get all 4 wheels checked for alignment at most tyre centres, which will narrow down the issue.
Synchro not really fixable but you can double de clutch both up and down (up changes with no revs, down changes a blip on the throttle when in neutral) to avoid the crunch to some degree, and as you have a torquey engine you can miss out third whenever possible.
Thicker oil could make things worse.

[leftfootleashed]

Welcome!
Rear tyre could be one that has been swapped from the front as it's not so easy to see the wear there - have a feel of the front treads by running your hand across the tread surface and back - if the tracking is out you'll feel an 'edge' on one side of each tread.
You can get all 4 wheels checked for alignment at most tyre centres, which will narrow down the issue.
Synchro not really fixable but you can double de clutch both up and down (up changes with no revs, down changes a blip on the throttle when in neutral) to avoid the crunch to some degree, and as you have a torquey engine you can miss out third whenever possible.
Thicker oil could make things worse.

Thanks oilyrag. That's a good point about the front maybe having been swapped to the back (have to admit I didn't notice it before buying, I checked it but it's only on the very inside edge). Makes sense actually because the fronts are mismatched - one illegal and needs changing, one relatively new. I was hoping the tracking would be fine since the service history indicates it was done with two new tyres in the last couple of years. Still, tracking probably easier to fix than excessive camber on the rear axle since I don't know what would cause that.

I have been alternately missing out 3rd and double clutching - my double clutching technique needs some practice though, I think I've managed a silent change once! 

[Andre]

Welcome to the gang

[oilyrag]

Turning the radio up when changing gear should help, but won't stop pedestrians heads turning as you crunch into third on the way past them.....if you're getting new tyres it is worth getting the tracking checked as your Berlingo may have been bounced up a kerb or two over the past couple of years, and tracking does change over time as bushes age - and the tyres will last considerable longer with proper tracking.
If your steering wheel isn't in the dead ahead position when driving in a straight line on a flat road, or the car drifts when you are 'hands off' then it certainly needs looking at.