Im having problems with my car

Question

my car is difficult to get into gear and my mechanic said its the head gasket what do you think

Answer 1

The head gasket has nothing to do with your gearbox.

Find a new garage - the bloke is messing you about.

It can be a problem with the clutch or gearbox but nothing to do with the engine.

Answer 2

Yeah you are describing 2 different things.

hard to get into gear if manuel - clutch problem, or transmission probl

hard to get into gear if automatic - transmission problem

he is describing a engine problem. Is the car overheating, does it leave a huge cloud behind you?

if yes to those questions, you have a headgasket problem.

Answer 3

I might be cynical but it sounds like your mechanic is probing whether or not you know much about cars.

The head gasket is located at the top of the engine block whereas the clutch and drive train are located at the bottom. There is no way I can think off that the two could affect one another.

I would check to see if this guy has a good reputation and get a second opinion if you are unsure about him.

There are perhaps other gaskets on a car so perhaps it was one of those he meant. I would get a second opinion anyway. You can compare quotes and if there is a bit of competition then you will find the price will drop quite substantially if the guy is not honest.

Answer 4

Your head gasket has nothing to do with your car going into gear.  Is it a manual or automatic? HE is full of

Answer 5

The mechanic is a prat, it is most likely the clutch, either needs adjusting or replace.

Answer 6

Take it to another garage the head gasket has nothing to do with the gears!!

The most likely reason for the difficulty in selecting the gears is wear on the gear box linkage. Relatively easy to do and not to expensive.

Ja.

Answer 7

Hi, appart from the Clutch ***, there is every chance depending on the car that the linkage rods are either slack & ready to be replaced, as said it could also be loss of transmission oil (Check under your car)

As regards what your so-called Mechanic has stated I think he should have USED HIS OWN HEAD GASKET coming out with a statement like that. also check that there is nothing blocking the movement of the linkage rods.

Answer 8

Difficulty in engaging gear is DEFINATELY not related to head gasket failure.

Get a second opinion.

Answer 9

I suspect it is something to do with the clutch or even the gearbox itself. I just cannot see how the head gasket is involved.

Answer 10

Do M.O.T That Way they will check ure car + fix it up for u but it may come exspensive :S

good luck :)

Answer 11

no mechanic is wrong head gasket has nothing to do with cars transmission i should know cause i am a mechanic.

Answer 12

That is going to be expensive. :-(

Answer 13

Ignore the first answer. Selecting gears and head gaskets aren't part of the MOT test.

I can't think of any circumstances why a failed head gasket should affect gear changes and suggest you go to another mechanic.

The most likely cause is that the clutch is failing to engage correctly. That is why the gear won't change smoothly.

Answer 14

the bloke that you call a mechanic by what you say, is surely a t**t. ask some one with a brain to look at it

Answer 15

he said the head gasket is making it difficult to go into the gears? that would be the shifter linkage or the tranny. if is a standard tranny then clutch, pressure plate. the head gasket has nothing to do with shifting period. also check your tranny fluid, that could be the only problem

Answer 16

you dont say what car,,,example,,,a rear wheel drive car(rare nowadays)has one system of gear lever linkage,,,

front wheel drive totally different ,,you dont say vehicle type or mileage.

if its front linkage?high mileage,,,then the linkage is by "knuckle joints"that is a metal "cup"with a plastic insert "joint"(which has most likley worn away an a high mileage car),head gasket is a total bag of S**te and suggest you dump this idiot ASAP,,changing the gear lever joints and maybe the linkage(unlikely)(most likley the plastic inserts are worn away you are looking at £25,,,changing the head gasket on a modern engine,is very expensive you are looking a £25 changing the link joints and about a change of a head gasket(costs about £25) and £300 labour bet they tell you that the cylinder is "warped"and needs planing flat add costs of another £150

Answer 17

The person who gave you this diagnosis is certainly not a mechanic, more of a con man.

The two faults are not connected unless it is a late model Ford.

The head gasket can leak water on to the gear selector shaft causing it to sieze and make gear selection difficult.

Answer 18

your mechanic is a prat and sounds like he is having it up you let us know what car you have i may be able to help