Gearbox - what to do?

[PeterHBne]

As some of you heard on Saturday, my 1st gear is on the way out – rapidly worsening groaning noise.

Obviously a warranty issue.

I’m in two minds as to what to do. My preference is for a new gearbox (might as well), however my concern is that the dealer will simply fix whatever the issue is with first gear.

So should I continue to drive until first gear sheets itself and hopefully causes collateral damage elsewhere in the box?

Jmac – you’ve heard it – what way do you reckon Highway VW are likely to go?

[thestu]

hey man i have heard of lots of problems with the polo boxs...they won't rip the gear out and replace way to much in parts and labour. they will just replace the box...just shag it a bit more but tell them about it now...

[GT3]

Unfortunately, you won't be the one determining what gets replaced and what doesn't - VWA will. First thing is to book it in with the most reputable VW dealer in your area. Once there, they'll seek VWA's permission to undergo a diagnotic of your gearbox. Based on what they discover in the diagnostic, they'll report that to VWA who will then inform the dealer what to do, ie repair existing damage or replace the gearbox. Make sure your car presents as stock as possible or VWA will attribute any damage to mods if they can. ..and good luck.

[Timbo]

^^^ good advice there. The dealer gets paid by VWA for warranty work, so they will only do what VWA authorises. That said, I suspect it may be cheaper to VWA to pay for a complete box replacement (swap in/out) rather than the extra time and effort associated with a specific gear set (dismantle/rebuild).

[DaveMack]

Pete ... take it to Highway VW ... not the city mob. Jimmy has a mate at Highway and they've done good warranty work on mine (aircon).

Cheers and good luck, Mate.

Dave

[mitch_gti]

Please dont feel as though this is a rude question but are you guys quite hard on your polos or something?
My gearbox feels perfect. How many kms had you done before it started acting up?

[Kai]

I whinged about my gearbox. And they gave me a new one. But its not a polo gearbox. I have no idea what its from. None of the bolts line up like they use too. And you can see where my old gearbox lined up.

[DaveMack]

My gearbox is fine ... no trouble after more than 2.5 years.

Dave

[PoloGTi]

I am back....... I too have the 1st gear prob and warrenty runs out in dec.
I will be trying to gain a new one very soon. Let me know how you get on if we have probs joint letters to vw Aus may be worth it Power in numbers.
Cheers Rob.

[GT3]

VW generally build good cars, but there's two things they're absolutely s*ite at: 1. gearboxes 2. electric window regulators.

[PeterHBne]

Please dont feel as though this is a rude question but are you guys quite hard on your polos or something?
My gearbox feels perfect. How many kms had you done before it started acting up?

No - I really am easy on my car - it started making a mild groaning noise around 3,000kms ago (I've done 32,000) and has gotten really bad in the last 1,000.

Also I have none of the crunching issues at shift change unless it's a reaaaal quick change from 1 to 2 at high revs, but that's more a case of beating the cables and syncrhos I believe.

What worries me is that I believe the gear box they replace your crap gear box with is the same gear box - ie - no modifications. So if this is going to be a hit and miss affair I don't look forward to 101,000kms when you are on your own as far as the gear box is concerned.

[GT3]

What worries me is that I believe the gear box they replace your crap gear box with is the same gear box - ie - no modifications. So if this is going to be a hit and miss affair I don't look forward to 101,000kms when you are on your own as far as the gear box is concerned.

The thing is Peter, we can't be sure if it's the design of the gearbox itself or the synthetic oil that (was) used in them (or combination of both) that was the key contributing factor. For those of us who did quite a number of klms with the synthetic oil in their gearboxes, even with the recall (35A7), it might be too little too late While my crunching stopped after the oil was changed, it still doesn't feel as good as it used to, and I don't hold out in hope that it will go the distance long-term.

In your case, if they end up changing your gearbox, the best long-term strategy is to ensure you have the best possible mineral-based oil in there and resist the temptation to change gears quickly. That's all any of us can do in the circumstances.

[insanekiwi]

I have taken my into VW dealer today and got the new service manager to have a look at my car.

I've complaint that previous managers did not even bother investigating it further. They checked the oil level and quality of it, said it's all fine, looks brand new.

Anyway, he thinks it may be the thrust bearing for mine, so he will put on diagnostic tests on engine / gearbox / wheel bearings, etc.

So that's booked in for next Friday. Hope they find something and fix it...

He told me to use the original gearbox oil for now, as I still have the factory warranty. It runs out February next year, he said then I should try different brands, which is fair enough. He sounds like a decent guy, I'll keep you guys uptodate.

[Jmac]

Peter Pm sent mate

[PeterHBne]

Saw Highway VW on Fri - quick drive with a (young) tech - problem with 1st gear is ear bleedingly obvious. Told him that I am on a VW board and am very familiar with all the gearbox probs (to avoid any crap excuses). He said that they don't replace anymore, they pull apart and fix.

So, I ask the old guy with the bung nose on the desk to look into it further (Arthur?) and he gets someone else to go for a drive.

10 mins later Arthur says they will put a new transmission on order.

So, mine now joins the growing ranks of Polo GTI's with new gearboxes.