It won't go into gear!!

[Huw Powell]

> I got my '87 VW Quantum Syncro (same drive
> train/tranny as the 4KQ) started last evening after a
> top end engine rebuilt, and when I went to put it
> into first gear for a test drive, the shifter would
> not budge at all!!!

> If I try pushing the shifter a bit, with engine
> idling, the grinding would start. Yes, with the clutch
> pedal all the way in.

Grinding makes it sound like the clutch is not working, but...

> I turned the engine off and still, it will not get
> into any of the gears except second and reverse. While
> engine is idling, it won't get into second or reverse
> either.

With the engine not turning, the clutch should be irrelevant to the 
ability to engage gears.  They are supposed to be <pun> synchronised 
</pun>, think about it, it is always pretty easy to run a shift lever 
through the gears in a non-running car.

So what do I think it might be?  Perhaps the shift linkage got kinked or 
obstructed during this long engine rebuild project?  Did you have the 
whole engine out or just the head?

That area of the car (top of the tranny) is an awful place to try to 
work, but your clutch slave and shift linkage are all shoved in there. 
try to look what happens while someone attempts to select gears, with 
the engine off.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/