DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

[ptR]

thanks for this thread. ive decied to go for Manual.

[pologti18t]

Does anyone really do a DSG that can compare in low speed smoothness to a torque converter auto?
Go to about 6:30 in this review of the Nissan GTR. The clunks and low speed response seems worse than a VAG gearbox

[ParaBul]

I've posted once or twice about my 6 speed DSG (in a GTD) losing drive. Typically when slowing down under light braking, often a turn seems to be involved, and I believe that driving in M (as I normally do) and not actively downshifting is also a factor.

After my first service last year, when VW couldn't find an issue and asked me to tell them what makes it happen, I had two occurrences, then nothing until this week. Previously I've noticed that to get drive back I had to tap the downshift paddle twice, and it would grab one gear lower than had been displayed (i.e. no drive with 3rd displayed, two downshifts would grab 2nd). This week, on both occasions, I floored and released the accelerator, to trigger a downshift. On both occasions, the car grabbed two gears lower (indicated 3rd, went to first, or indicated 4th and went to 2nd).

I'm still no closer to being able to replicate the fault on demand, but this info might help somebody else?

[heyimsu]

Are the issues with the 7-speed gearboxes or across the board? I've got a GTI and they are equipped with a 6-speed. The lower end Golf models, Polos, Tiguans run the 7-speed gearbox.

[AdamD]

Are the issues with the 7-speed gearboxes or across the board? I've got a GTI and they are equipped with a 6-speed. The lower end Golf models, Polos, Tiguans run the 7-speed gearbox.

What issues are you referring to?

The current issues in the press related to overseas recalls in China and Japan are all focused on the DQ200 - the dry-clutch 7-speed low-torque DSG found in Polos and Golfs. The clutch pack problems are limited to the DQ200 only.

There have been mechatronic failures and occasional false neutrals in the DQ250 6-speed wet clutch DSG, as found in Golf GTIs and Rs, as well as many other VWs, although these failures are significantly less common these days than they used to be.

The Tiguans equipped with a 7-speed DSG do not use the DQ200 dry-clutch, but the newer DQ500 high-torque 7-speed wet clutch DSG. This one isn't perfect either, but like the DQ250 (at least those built more recently - say in the last 3-5 years), is less prone to issues.

[Stelex]

My understanding is that the recall in China, Japan and Singapore is for the DQ200 DSGs, which is exactly the same box we have here. What do they do in Asia, do they just replace clutch pack, the whole box or fit a different gearbox altogether?

My 118TSI DSG7 is due for 90,000 km service next month and the DSG is kaputt again. I'm on the third (!) clutch pack so far and had mechatronics replaced once. Are they just going to put in the same crap-pack .. I mean clutch pack in or something else this time?

What's the gearbox in Mk7, same thing Mk6 has or something new? Thanks.

[AdamD]

What's the gearbox in Mk7, same thing Mk6 has or something new? Thanks.

It also uses the DQ200, although many of the part numbers have changed, so it's been overhauled to some extent. As far as longer-term reliability is concerned, we'll just have to wait and see I guess.

[exzibit]

Guys sorry I can't go through 99 pages of posts but I'm a first time VW owner so the DSG is completely new experience to me. I bought a mk7 90TSI after a test drive but to be fair, it was like a 5 minute drive so I wouldn't have noticed the quirks of it then. Can anyone confirm the following is normal?
- slight lag from a standing start before the turbo suddenly kicks in.
- there is a soft but audible crackling sound when accelerating and upshifting from 2nd to 3rd gear especially when the accelerator is pushed harder and very much more prominent in sports mode. The mechanic at VW told me it's something to do with the turbo valve opening and closing but I've got no clue about anything technical related so won't even know if this is true.
Help put my mind at ease guys, this thing is "driving" me mad!

[wai]

There may be a turbo lag, but from a standing start, there is around a 1/4 second delay before the clutch starts to engage.

The DSG can be simplified as two gearboxes. One handles 1, 3, 5, 7 (if you have a 7-speed), and the other handles 2, 4, 6. Each gearbox has its own clutch.

When you select D, you need to have your foot on the brake. With your foot on the brake and stationary, both clutches are disengaged. When you take your foot off the brake and press the accelerator, there is a 1/4 second delay before clutch starts to engage.

This delay is longer when you select R. Now, the delay can be anything up to 1 second. So, if reversing up a hill, you select R, move your foot to the accelerator and the car rolls forward. Your reaction is to apply more accelerator, but then the clutch starts to engage and you are launched backwards. The way to control this is with the handbrake, however it can be tricky with an electric parking brake. Basically, you have to release the handbrake about 1 second after you have applied accelerator. You are not gunning it.

The best way to learn how to use it is to find a quiet area with a slope and practice reversing up it.

The other thing is that you NEVER stop the car with the engine running and simply apply the parking brake with the DSG in gear (forward or reverse). Basically, with your foot off the brake, the clutch will start engaging. If you keep doing this, you will burn out the clutch.

On the noise, it could also be resonance in the exhaust. You need to be able to listen to it to be sure what it is. Don't describe it to the mechanic, actually demonstrate it. You will probably get told that it's "standard for that type of vehicle".

[exzibit]

Wai thanks for the feedback, appreciate it. I did bring it straight back to VW and had their mechanic listen to it and he gave the explanation I noted above saying it was normal. I wish I had noticed it during the test drive because the crackling is quite annoying and I've never had cars that made sounds like that. Is this something that is common in the Golf or is it just my car?

[logger]

- there is a soft but audible crackling sound when accelerating and upshifting from 2nd to 3rd gear especially when the accelerator is pushed harder and very much more prominent in sports mode.

How long does the noise last for?
Your "Crackling" description suggest is last for a more than an instant. The actual upshifting from 2nd to 3rd lasts an instant (fraction of a second). If it is more like a whack or crack than a crackling it is probably just the noise of one of the the two hydraulic clutch actuators. If that's all it is it will probably go away in time as the clutches adapt. I can hear it in my MK6 with the windows down from time to time, if I listen for it. Younger ears would hear it more readily than I do. On the other hand if, it is a continuous noise that lasts for a few seconds & it is not clutch shudder (which should be pretty obvious), chances are, it wont be coming from the gearbox. Then as Wai suggest could be from the exhaust.

[exzibit]

How long does the noise last for?
Your "Crackling" description suggest is last for a more than an instant. The actual upshifting from 2nd to 3rd lasts an instant (fraction of a second). If it is more like a whack or crack than a crackling it is probably just the noise of one of the the two hydraulic clutch actuators. If that's all it is it will probably go away in time as the clutches adapt. I can hear it in my MK6 with the windows down from time to time, if I listen for it. Younger ears would hear it more readily than I do. On the other hand if, it is a continuous noise that lasts for a few seconds & it is not clutch shudder (which should be pretty obvious), chances are, it wont be coming from the gearbox. Then as Wai suggest could be from the exhaust.

The sound is like a second long. It seems to be just as the RPM peaks then the gear changes. Say if it is from the exhaust, is it just something I have to tolerate or something that can be fixed?

[wai]

The sound is like a second long. It seems to be just as the RPM peaks then the gear changes. Say if it is from the exhaust, is it just something I have to tolerate or something that can be fixed?

If it is resonance from the exhaust, then there is nothing to worry about. My Mini (genuine) had a beautiful "rasp" when you changed gear and on overrun. The best sound ever when going down Macqauarie Pass

If it happens at a particular RPM, check that there is nothing the exhaust is vibrating against.

In any event, it is not a case of saying "standard for this type of vehicle", the cause needs to be identified and fixed if necessary.

Now here's something that I just remembered.

I believe that the Sirocco has an electrical sound generator to make it sound better. I am not going to touch that, but is there something like that on your car?

[exzibit]

It usually is at around 3000 RPM but in the 2nd and 3rd gears. Hmm very much doubt a little base model Golf will have an electrical sound generator.. I'll take it to another dealer to have a look at and see what their explanation is.

[Meloy]

DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes

Just reading one of the previous comments saying there is a 1/4 second delay when releasing the brake and accelerating before the clutch engages, is it normal for the delay to extend longer than this?

I've noticed over the last week driving our mk 6 golf that the warmer the car gets the longer the hesitation seems to be before the clutch engages, up to the point where you have to pre-empt the gap in traffic and apply gentle acceleration up to 2 secs before you actually want to move off?

It's not the hill hold or anything like that, it just feels like the clutch is slow to engage/select gear. Does it in D S and manual.

Is it just a characteristic of the box or something I should be looking into fixing?

Thanks
Jake