Hello all.
A friend of mine at work has an MG F. (1995-02)
He has problems getting it into first gear even more so when it is cold.
Is there a common fault that causes this or is it likely to be lack of oil in the gearbox or clutch on its way out.
Thanks for any ideas.

Are they not 'cable' linkages for the gearchange on these? if so, could be a stretched cable, or may be able to be adjusted.

I don't know,maybe someone can confirm please.

It is a cable operates gear change (I've just googled it). See this thread for info:

MGF 1st gear selection

A well known problem on all PG1 gearbox cars is the clutch fork pivots seize.
The Clutch fork is mounted on a steel cross-shaft that runs across the bellhousing, the shaft runs directly in bearing holes through bellhousing alloy.
Eventually because of the steel and alloy in direct contact corrosion causes the shaft to seize and the clutch doesn't disengage fully.

[Edited on 15/5/12 by britishtrident]

Of course I am assuming the correct oil is in the gearbox Landrover MTF94 or Carlube or Comma or Texaco Havoline equivalent.

5w/40 engine oil or auto-transmission fluid is OK for top up.

On my Lotus elise, which shares same engine and gearbox this could be a number of things:

- issue with the cable adjustment on the gearbox. Most likely as if it was clutch related it would also grinch going into reverse and the other gears.

- it could be clutch related - air in hydraulics, slave/master cylinder issue

- or it could be clutch mechanism related as above.