micra gearbox problems :(

[little-ls]

right, ive been driving the micra for around a month now and have noticed a very stupid problem that didnt used to be there. the car refuses to go into 1st car from 2nd gear unless ive completely stopped. i have to move off from second gear sometimes as it refuses to budge up to 1st. the gearbox feels tight so i dont know what it could be but its doing my head in and ive avoided a very large amount of embarrassment as the car is that close to stalling. also the gear ratios on 2nd and 3rd feel about the same?
HELP!

 

[hannibal]

Sounds like your clutch cable needs adjusting as it might have to much slack causing the clutch to not fully disenguage. Does the car go into reverse ok?

 

[MLC2]

The linkage on the bottom of the gearstick can rust up and get pretty tight on these. If the stick is stiff to move forwards backwards with the engine off I'd get underneath it, disassemble it and give it a good clean and grease.

 

[little-ls]

hi, yeah the car goes into reverse fine, i just cant see the problem, I'm either at college or work and by the time i come home its dark, so don't get a lot of time to have a look and try and fix it
I'm hopefully going to be free on Monday so ill have to get down and have a look.
but it seems i now have a new problem which makes the gearbox one seem minuscule.
Metallic grinding from the engine :|
The cambelt is around 6000 miles overdue a change, but the noise is coming from the middle of the engine near the 3rd and 4th piston, might just be the valve seats. But its really worrying me. are there any micra specialist garages around the west midlands area, Birmingham/Coventry to be specific. Oh almost forgot to add its a 1990, Nissan Micra ls 1.0l. help would be welcomed!
thanks

 

[frank]

how far from B43 are you ?

 

[little-ls]

18 miles away according to aa route planner, so not that far.

 

[frank]

18 miles away according to aa route planner, so not that far.

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