I have another question on my tintop, less urgent this time though.

The gearbox is starting to get a little "problematic". Basically I have trouble selecting gears, mainly 3rd, others are usually OK.
The 3rd feels like the gearbox is preventing selection. similar to when you cannot go into first when you drive to quick, same sort of feel, then usually OK when you temporariliy pop it into 4th and then back into 3rd


The car is a 2002 Skoda Octavia, now it has done 165k miles, which is probably the cause.

I suspect the gearbox is starting to get worn out, so presume I need an exchange/spare/etc.

Can some one confirm. (before I spend lots of money on a spare)

Lars

sounds like the synchro on 3rd is tired. don't use 3rd

as it happens 3rd is the least used of my gears, so I am not sure why this is giving me problems.

but yes i am avoiding 3rd

Is it worse when cold?

Might be worth an oil change before spending on a exchange gearbox (+ clutch + fitting etc.)

aint it the selector whats on its way out.

dave

I'd ask when the last oil change was too. Gave me another 2 years from my 'yota box with tired 2nd and 3rd synchros.

No its not worse when cold, quite the opposite.
I would of course fit it myself (attempt to anyway)

It could be the selector, is this likely tone the issue?
When I have my mot next month they will do the gear oil. (unfortunately I cant get under the car while it's level, so can't check this)

Not sure if your car is the same but a common problem on some Skoda Octavias is the plastic bit that that joins the gear linkages to the gearbox cracks and causes problems selecting gears and is not to expensive from Vag dealers. Cheers
Ronnie