As per title I intermittently can’t select reverse gear on my mk2.5 1.6. I don’t have any other problems with gears aside from 1st and 2nd being a bit notchy. I changed my gear lever shift boots about 5 weeks ago so don’t think that can be the issue.
If i let the car roll back slightly I can then usually get it into reverse. when it wont go in its almost as if reverse isn’t there, probably happens once in five times…
Kinda hoping this isn’t a major thing…but have a bad feeling about it.
same on my 2000 1.6…was the same on my rover 600 (honda running gear)…suspect its the setup on jap gearboxes and nothing to worry about
I believe this is not uncommon on any gearbox in 1st.& reverse, something about the gears not meshing. If you put it in neutral, release the clutch to turn the shaft then try again, if it engages there is no problem IMHO.
what you describe usually sorts it, so thats putting my mind at rest. This is my first japanese car, so haven’t come across this before tbh… It’s going to sound akin to blasphemy but the best box i’ve ever driven was on a ford ka of all things!
when it does eventually go in, it goes straight and doesn’t grind or have to be forced, so guess its ok! No puddles of gearbox oil under the car either so figure the cylinders must be ok.
Agree with Marpar here this is a common occurrance on many gearboxes. Someone correct me if I am wrong here, most reverse gears do not have a synchro for reverse as its a cost and weight saving. Also you should only be selecting reverse once the car is completely stationary, so it shouldn’t need one. What generally happens is that the gear teeth on the reverse gear and the reverse gear idler do not line up when attempting to place the car in reverse from the neutral position. Go to first gear and then go to reverse, this lines up the reverse gear and reverse gear idler. Looking at this back to front, this is a default position for a gear box built on the assumption that from reverse you will be selecting first to move off. I hope that is clear, ■■■■. . . .
Also when did you last change your gearoil?
i bought the car 6 weeks ago,its done 54k and i suspect hasn’t had a gear oil change for sometime. I’m getting this done next month with some redline MT90 so hopefully that should smoothen things up a bit 
thanks for the info though,def puts my mind at ease, always difficult with a new car to know whats “normal” and whats a problem!
Sounds like the slave cylinder is on it’s way out.
really? pedal pressure is always good, would there be any visual signs if its worn out?
If there is hydraulic fluid weeping from the slave cylinder and the problem gets worse , I’m afraid it will need fixing. Before you go underneath you may find your clutch fluid reservoir level has dropped, indicating s leak…
had a goosey at the slave cylinder and it is bone dry around the rubber gasket area, and generally looks clean but there looks to be a bit of moisture around the bolt closest to the floor, nothing dripping though.
will check the reservoir level too. Although when i was in the engine bay a few days ago it was pretty full from what i remember.
Which one did you check?,there are two, one for the brakes(large one) and to the right of it against the bulk head a small square one for the clutch,9 x out of 10 its black in colour.
Bleeding it off could help if it’s not leaking?
I would also check your lower and upper gear shaft seals,not dear and easy to do and will make gear change better.
regards
checked the large one, will have a look at the smaller one tomorrow. What is the link between the cylinders and clutch fluid and having trouble selecting reverse? Just trying to understand how it all works!
All other gears select fine and theres no problems with the clutch pedal.
Did the gear shift boots and changed turret oil about 4 weeks ago, so thats ruled out atm. Need to get gearbox oil changed next month.
Edit- checked the slave cylinder and gave the gasket a squeeze, no fluid came out so i’m guessing its all good. There is however a bit of oil in the area below the slave cylinder, so think there may be a small oil leak down there somewhere. Also checked both reservoir levels, both full, although the smaller one has black liquid by the looks.
Pretty much putting this reverse gear thing down to a characteristic of the car at the moment, as there seem to be no obvious signs suggesting otherwise…for now!
Have a read through your owners manual, I think it says something about selecting neutral and trying again in there.
this happens sometimes in my triumph, to fix it i stick it back into neutral, lift the clutch then try again, if that doesnt work i rock my body forwards and backwards while trying to select reverse and it usually goes in haha.
charlie