hi, i know this isn't really at all related to locosts, but i have been unable to find a decent forum for old nissan micras.

I have recently purchased a nissan micra, an old 1988 one! its been pretty fun to drive, very nippy etc. my problem with it is that the gearchange is progessably getting worse. it was fine to start with, now when changing down from third it doesn't like to go into second, and really does not like going into first once u stop either. Its now pretty hard to drive, i suspect that its the gear linkage, but i am finding it hard to check as i cannot safely get the car in the air! are old micras known for this? is there anything else it could be? any help would be appreciated! especially if someone knows a good micra forum!

many thanks

Clutch, either on it's way out or needs adjusting. Can you select the gears when the car is not running?

Had this a few years ago,we rebuilt the box with no effect.Then we found out that the recomended gear oil level was to high and Nissan came up with the fix that you reduce the level in the box,cant remember by how much.
Sounds like a load of old cobblers but its true.
Have you topped up the box or had it serviced recently, if so they may have overfilled the box.
Steve.

[Edited on 7/8/06 by stevec]

am planning to change the oil anyway as who knows what oil is in there and how long its been in there. hope tthe reduction in oil level will help, does anyone know what it should atcually be? i have a haynes manual, should i reduce the amount it says in there or stick to it?

the clutch i think is fine, the biting point is ok and it doesn't slip so i don't think its on the way out, but i will make sure it is adjusted properly as it could be that that makes it hard to change gear. I am also considering that the scynomesh may be shot which will be hard to fix, wish i lived closer to my parents, would be easy to change the gearbox there!