Gearbox crunch 1st to 2nd when car has 'warmed up' and on hot days

[Mikkamook]

Hoping some one can provide some advise.

I've had my Polo for almost 4 years now, and in the last couple of months when changing from 1st to 2nd I get a significant crunch. This does not occur when I first start to drive the car and only appears to happen after driving the car for 1/2 hour or so (and on hot days). It occurs when changing gears normally.

If I change the gears VERY slowly, I can avoid the gears crunching (but not always).

I took the car into Volkswagen for them to look at, their response was that there was nothing wrong and implied that it was my driving. This was a costly experience for me and there was no resolution. I'm now concerned that continued driving of the vehicle will destroy the gearbox. I only have done 55K, which to me is way to early for a gearbox to fail.

I've read that sometimes a change to the gearbox oil (sorry I am far from a mechanic, so I don't know if I'm using the correct terms) could rectify the problem, however I have no experience and am unsure what to do.

I'm reluctant to go back to Volkswagen based on previous insinuation, and seek advice as to what I should do. Would appreciate any advice and any recommended mechanic that I could take my car to. I live in the Prahran area.

[vdubmotorworx]

2nd gear syncro wear in the gearbox. There used to be a modified gear oil to try first and if no better..gearbox strip

[brad]

Suggest you take it up with VW under your statutory warranty rights. Under normal use you wouldn't expect a gearbox to experience synchro failure in 4 years.

[Mikkamook]

Thanks brad. Got the car to them today when car was warm...they confirmed synchro needs replacing. Told me cars out of warranty and will probably cost a couple of thousand... Told them I expect vw to cover costs.

Will have to to wait and see, they need to put an out of warranty claim. They said they've never had this model with this problem before.

If if no joy, looks like consumer affairs

[Snail Style]

I can confirm never seeing synchro issues on the 6R chassis vehicles, however it was common on the 9N models. Hopefully your service history is in good nick and VW will come to the party to cover it.

[nomadx38]

Just fuel for thought. Could it be excessive vapor/air in the slave cylinder (if the polo has one). I would flush it and see if if helps. It could be the clutch isn't fully disengaging and thus crunshing.

I'm only thinking this becuase you said it only happens when it's warm - when the air/vapor would expand the most.

A 10$ bottle of new brake fluid could save the world of headaches going through VW