Golf V 6 Speed Automatic problems, repairers

[wazc23]

Hi All

My wife has a 2005 VW Golf 1.6L Comfortline with 6 Speed sports Automatic
It is a great little car however the transmission has started to play up and is terrible in traffic.

It has done 140,000 km and the transmission has started playing up to the point it will not drive reliably for more than 20 minutes or so. When it is cold it is ok, and gets worse to the point that it is shunting into gears both accelerating and slowing down.

We took it to a transmission repairer and they advised that it would cost between $5,000 to $6,000 and said it was quite bad and not just the valve body.

Just wondering if anyone has had there transmission replaced and who they went to ? and how much it cost?

Also if there is any other options to get it repaired, maybe another transmission from earlier or later golf? Either manual or auto?

The other question I have is if we get it repaired, how do we know if the same thing will happen, are they fixing the actual problem or just putting the same transmission back in??

The more I read the more I find that this was a VW problem and in other coutries there were recalls etc

Appreciate any help that you guys might be able to provide, we are not sure what to do as the car is probably worth around $10,000 (if the transmission was working). Maybe we should try to sell with the damaage for $5,000 or something like that?

Any thoughts?


Cheers

[Transporter]

I would get at least 2 more opinions on it, before doing anything. Has the transmision place you took it to any experience with the VW AT?
If not, just take your car to an independent VW specialist for another opinion.

[Jmac]

Unfortunately sounds like you an 09G transmission, (gearbox type) and these can be problematic after 80k, seen plenty. 9 times out of 10 just doing the valve body doesnt fix the problem. I do some work for a couple of repairers and have seen the carnage for myself. The tranmission makes metal and in turn damages the valve body, there is bushings that get damaged in the valve body as well. The valve body gets reamed and rebushed as part of the fix but the whole transmission reqs overhaul at the same time or it will happen again prematurely. Seeing it lots in the transporter now too that has the same physical internals (09K) , same deal with it but seen a bit more on the 09K , sometimes K3 clutch hub can sustain damage and this can sometimes be hairline and go un noticed till the trans is rebuilt. Anyway hope that helps a bit, not much positve i know. Shame really as they are very good cars when working right.
Cheers
Jmac

[wazc23]

Thanks for the info Jmac

It isn't great news, as you mention they are great cars when all is working..

I am hisitant to spend the money unless I know it will be trouble free, and not happen again for some time.
If I get the transmission fixed do they fix the underlying issue which has caused these problems, or will it just happen again in a few years time?

Could you bolt on a newer VW gearbox to the engine that doesn't have the problem/would this be an option?
i.e something after 2008 that didn't have the recall's in USA etc.

Hoping the guys on the forum in Melbourne can recommend some places if anyone has gone through the same issues here and roughly how much it will cost.

Currently I am stuck with a car that I cant drive and most likely will have trouble selling, and will cost over half its value to repair.

Appreciate any help you guys can provide.

Cheers

[wazc23]

I don't think the place we went to has had a lot of experience with VW Golfs, need to find another place close by.. Hoping the car will be able to get me there without breaking down!

[jessv3]

If it was me I would be calling up wreckers and looking for a second box. If you are worried it will happen again the best thing you could do is sell the car once its repaired, as putting in a manual or a newer transmission will just be expensive, painful and not really worth the end result. That gear box was not used again after the MKV so it could always be a good time to upgrade to a base model MKVI.

[wazc23]

If it was me I would be calling up wreckers and looking for a second box. If you are worried it will happen again the best thing you could do is sell the car once its repaired, as putting in a manual or a newer transmission will just be expensive, painful and not really worth the end result. That gear box was not used again after the MKV so it could always be a good time to upgrade to a base model MKVI.

Yeah, will start ringing around

[Jmac]

Personally i wouldnt get a secon hand one unless you are fuklly sure of its history, could end up as bad as the one you have
Cheers
Jmac

[bushnut]

volkswagen uses A+B gearbox reconditioners in melbourne i think thats where there based they give good warranty there not the cheapest but would say there the bestest they should have a box on the shelf give them a call. these guys were the volkswagen recomended repaires they reconditioned all autos and DSG boxes before they started sending them back to germany

[wazc23]

volkswagen uses A+B gearbox reconditioners in melbourne i think thats where there based they give good warranty there not the cheapest but would say there the bestest they should have a box on the shelf give them a call. these guys were the volkswagen recomended repaires they reconditioned all autos and DSG boxes before they started sending them back to germany

Thanks Heaps

I'll give them a call. I want to ask them if they repair them to better than new. i.e. fix the underlying problem or just get back to reconditioned working status. anyway will let you guys know.

Cheers

[Fatherless One]

I'm in a similar situation with my 2005 Sportline with the same "tiptronic" transmission, cold it's fine, after 20 min or so clunks from 1st to second and then to 3rd.

I've got a 3 year extended warranty (long story) from the car dealer and I'm covered for up to $5000, goes into the transmission specialist on Thursday, fingers crossed.

I'll post the results.

[wazc23]

I'm in a similar situation with my 2005 Sportline with the same "tiptronic" transmission, cold it's fine, after 20 min or so clunks from 1st to second and then to 3rd.

I've got a 3 year extended warranty (long story) from the car dealer and I'm covered for up to $5000, goes into the transmission specialist on Thursday, fingers crossed.

I'll post the results.

Thanks for that. Keen to find out how it goes, hopefully you are not too much out of pocket if at all.
Are you able to ask them if the problem is likely to reoccur or not? and if there is anything you can do to prevent it from happening again in the future?

Good luck!

Cheers

[Jmac]

Thanks for that. Keen to find out how it goes, hopefully you are not too much out of pocket if at all.
Are you able to ask them if the problem is likely to reoccur or not? and if there is anything you can do to prevent it from happening again in the future?

Good luck!

Cheers

Thats a hard one to call , for me i havent seen any come back but they havent done the same amount of ks again. Bearing in mind if the repairer knows the box he will be be upgrading the valve body as reqd so i think it should be a better thing. Im in contact with the repairer i recommend and deal with pretty much on a weekly basis and if any new info comes up im sure to hear about it.
Also must add hope your trans just doesnt get a valve body, or im pretty sure it will be getting removed again in the near future.

Cheers
Jmac

[wazc23]

Thats a hard one to call , for me i havent seen any come back but they havent done the same amount of ks again. Bearing in mind if the repairer knows the box he will be be upgrading the valve body as reqd so i think it should be a better thing. Im in contact with the repairer i recommend and deal with pretty much on a weekly basis and if any new info comes up im sure to hear about it.
Also must add hope your trans just doesnt get a valve body, or im pretty sure it will be getting removed again in the near future.

Cheers
Jmac

Havent had time off work to take my car there yet. Called A + B automotive and they will do a comprehensive check for $220 and mentioned if it is only the valve body it would be $3600, not sure if it is that plus transmission. I will get the check done when I get a chance

[Fatherless One]

Update : (

Dropped the car in on Monday to have the transmission removed so they could fully inspect it.

I gave them a few days and on Wednesday I called them for an update. They said the valve body needed to be replaced as do several clutches (his words not mine as I have no knowledge in these things), I assume this is a total rebuild?

Now the fun part, the quote for repair is $5395.00 !!!

Today the warranty company (National Warranty in Victoria) phoned me to advise me that only certain parts and associated labour are covered under the terms and conditions of thier warranty, to the value of $1465.00 WTF !!!

I was obviously frustrated, he went on to tell me they'd try other options (finding a second hand transmission) to try and "help reduce my costs", real nice !!!

All I can do now is wait, arse I say !