Clutch cable adjustment BE3 box

[Deantracy17 1]

Does anyone know what the pedal travel should be on a 205 Cti 89 1.6 fitted with the be3 gearbox please?  I can’t find it in the Haynes manual. 

 

I’m getting crunching between 2nd and 3rd and then 3rd and 4th. No crunching up or down 1st to 2nd and back. Was going to try the cable before looking to repair synchros. 
 

Thanks

[Ozymandis 103]

Wind all the slack out of the cable and if it still does it then, its not cable adjustment.

Edited July 9, 2025 by Ozymandis

[Deantracy17 1]

That’s what I’m worried about, that it’s not as simple as the cable. Never drove it when I bought it as it was on a sorn. Now it’s just had its first MOT in 8 years and I still can’t use it. 

[Ozymandis 103]

Cross Your fingers and give it a go.

 

Check this out.

 

https://eastment.net/BE3 Gearbox Strip.htm

[ScoobyJawa 25]

Mine did this many years ago when I got it.  Needed a gearbox rebuild

[Deantracy17 1]

I’ve not had chance to look at the gearbox on the car, however, something did occur to me the other day that the engine stalls in higher gear changes.  This hints that the clutch is not releasing from the engine properly. 
 

Was going to try to get the missus to activate the clutch and see if the driven plate is free to spin through the inspection port. If not, the clutch can’t be disengaging. 
 

Has anyone had anybody issues with other this before?

[Ozymandis 103]

 

Start the engine, in the suspect gear with the clutch pedal down and the handbrake off, if it lurches forwards and demolishes the gable end of Your garage the clutch is dragging.

[Leslie green 163]

Could be a release bearing issue where it has collapsed or even a pressure plate problem and I doubt you can get any gearbox parts other than bearings so if its in there you will need another box.

[welshpug 1,733]

plenty of spares available, they used the BE box for a long time after 205 production ended. 

 

 

check it has oil in it, and the right oil!

[Deantracy17 1]

Sorry I’ve not responded sooner. The oil in the gearbox is EP75W80. I think it’s the right stuff. Probably going to bite the bullet and get a recon from 3d motor sport in Ruthin, North Wales. At least I’ll get to use it in the spring. 

[welshpug 1,733]

nope, wrong oil.

 

75w80 is correct grade but you dont want the EP variant  that is for rear diffs  (EP = Extra Pressure)

 

I would get hold of some Total Traxium gear8, 75w80,  go for a drive to warm it through then drop the oil.

 

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-205905-totalenergies-traxium-gear-8-75w-80-manual-transmission-gear-oil.aspx

Edited January 16 by welshpug

[Deantracy17 1]

Thanks. Well I hope that fixes it. You might be saving me 600 pounds if that works. Just ordered some.

[Deantracy17 1]

Gearbox oil changed. It is better but not perfect. Seems to go up gear nicely, but slight crunch coming back down. Actually got into 4th gear for the first time. At least it’s drivable now. I think I’ll give it a few weeks with short journeys. I’ve head that the EP is hard to get out of the synchros, so using it might dilute it with the new oil and I can do an another change. If that doesn’t sort it, its a recon box. Thanks for all the help.