vRS Gearbox Synchro

GREZA · 01-04-2005, 19:01

Has anyone else found this ? Selecting 2nd gear on the vRS seems quite different to all the other gears. Its worse in cold weather and when the car is cold itself but even when its warm, 2nd has to be treated with much more care than the other gears.

It feels like a synchro problem potentially and I seem to remember someone posting an alternative oil spec for the gearbox which might help, though I can't remember or find it. Would this help though or is this indicating a more serious problem? Are Skoda/VW 'boxes known for this?

My car has only covered 8500miles and is not abused, nor is it in anything other than stock spec.

Of course there is the warranty to fall back on but it would be good to get views on the best way to improve this as I really don't have much faith in the vast majority of muppets that so often pass for mechanics these days, with notable exceptions.

There seem to be some great guys on this website who work in workshops for a living but recent experience has confirmed that you are really lucky if you can trust what your told by the 'Service Dept', surely a misnoma if ever there was one.

bryand · 01-04-2005, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREZA

Has anyone else found this ? Selecting 2nd gear on the vRS seems quite different to all the other gears. Its worse in cold weather and when the car is cold itself but even when its warm, 2nd has to be treated with much more care than the other gears.

It feels like a synchro problem potentially and I seem to remember someone posting an alternative oil spec for the gearbox which might help, though I can't remember or find it. Would this help though or is this indicating a more serious problem? Are Skoda/VW 'boxes known for this?

I have found (both on my vRS and my previous TDI) that the selector linkage sometimes goes out of adjustment, leading to missed gears and stiff changes. The re-adjustment procedure is apparently very easy - 5 minute job but I think needs 2 people - and transforms the way the gearbox feels. Try and catch a friendly dealer at a quiet time and see what they can do while you wait.

helpmedisappear · 01-04-2005, 19:09

Yes my 2nd gear is 'dodgy' when cold...so is 1st to be honest

Sorry i dont know a fix, im going to ask when it goes in for its service next week.

GREZA · 01-04-2005, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryand

I have found (both on my vRS and my previous TDI) that the selector linkage sometimes goes out of adjustment, leading to missed gears and stiff changes. The re-adjustment procedure is apparently very easy - 5 minute job but I think needs 2 people - and transforms the way the gearbox feels. Try and catch a friendly dealer at a quiet time and see what they can do while you wait.

Thanks for the tip, I knew someone here would be able to put me right. I'll ask the garage when I drop by for them to check up on the fuel pump bolts re the recall recently.

I do hope you are right, I'd much prefer to keep to the standard 'box oil rather than go for a lower viscosity and risk long term gear wear.

aixlad · 01-04-2005, 22:42

For some reason VAG gearboxes tend to be quite snatchy beween 1st and 2nd, especially when they are cold. My Mk4 Golf GTi gearbox was the same, but it never got any worse throughout the 120,000 miles I owned it, so probably nothing to really worry about.

***DGW*** · 01-04-2005, 22:45

My 4X4's box is similarly sticky from 1st to 2nd when cold. I was told this is normal and that lots of boxes are worse than mine.

carefree · 03-04-2005, 13:18

Fourth vag gearbox and they have all been the same......and know what I LOVE EM'

DRJ · 03-04-2005, 16:31

Quote:

Has anyone else found this ? Selecting 2nd gear on the vRS seems quite different to all the other gears. Its worse in cold weather and when the car is cold itself but even when its warm, 2nd has to be treated with much more care than the other gears.

For info I've not noticed this at all... just gone over 5000 miles.

AvRS · 03-04-2005, 18:26

I've had problems with my gearbox since new, the main problems were selecting reverse, 1st, 2nd and occasionally 4th and 5th don't go in first time which can get annoying. I took mine into Pilling MK and they changed the oil over to thinner stuff as the original oil is said to be too thick for the synchro. This has reduced the amount it happens but I still occasionally get problems with the same gears mainly reverse. I've been advised however to give the oil time to work.

flatfourburble · 03-04-2005, 20:57

Mines stiff when cold too.............but against french boxes it's a dream!

01-04-2005, 19:01	#1
GREZA Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sussex/Surrey Posts: 246 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	vRS Gearbox Synchro Has anyone else found this ? Selecting 2nd gear on the vRS seems quite different to all the other gears. Its worse in cold weather and when the car is cold itself but even when its warm, 2nd has to be treated with much more care than the other gears. It feels like a synchro problem potentially and I seem to remember someone posting an alternative oil spec for the gearbox which might help, though I can't remember or find it. Would this help though or is this indicating a more serious problem? Are Skoda/VW 'boxes known for this? My car has only covered 8500miles and is not abused, nor is it in anything other than stock spec. Of course there is the warranty to fall back on but it would be good to get views on the best way to improve this as I really don't have much faith in the vast majority of muppets that so often pass for mechanics these days, with notable exceptions. There seem to be some great guys on this website who work in workshops for a living but recent experience has confirmed that you are really lucky if you can trust what your told by the 'Service Dept', surely a misnoma if ever there was one. Last edited by GREZA; 01-04-2005 at 19:04.

01-04-2005, 19:09	#3
helpmedisappear Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bolton Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 37 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Yes my 2nd gear is 'dodgy' when cold...so is 1st to be honest Sorry i dont know a fix, im going to ask when it goes in for its service next week. __________________ Martin Black Magic Fabia vRS

01-04-2005, 22:42	#5
aixlad Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: /usr/bin/whereis `whoami` Posts: 554 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	For some reason VAG gearboxes tend to be quite snatchy beween 1st and 2nd, especially when they are cold. My Mk4 Golf GTi gearbox was the same, but it never got any worse throughout the 120,000 miles I owned it, so probably nothing to really worry about. __________________ I'm the only Skoda driver in the village! 4 Wheeler: Black Magic Fabia vRS, MSD Grill, SEAT Strut Brace, ESP, Side Airbags, Cruise Control, 3rd Rear Headrest. 2 Wheeler: Triumph Thunderbird Sport

01-04-2005, 22:45	#6
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 16,988 Thanks: 41 Thanked 147 Times in 112 Posts	My 4X4's box is similarly sticky from 1st to 2nd when cold. I was told this is normal and that lots of boxes are worse than mine. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP, Jabba rear ARB, and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...47.73 mpg...

03-04-2005, 13:18	#7
carefree Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Essex Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Fourth vag gearbox and they have all been the same......and know what I LOVE EM' __________________ '54' Black Magic Fabia vRS Yo Adrien I DID IT!!!

03-04-2005, 18:26	#9
AvRS Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Milk n Beans Posts: 531 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	I've had problems with my gearbox since new, the main problems were selecting reverse, 1st, 2nd and occasionally 4th and 5th don't go in first time which can get annoying. I took mine into Pilling MK and they changed the oil over to thinner stuff as the original oil is said to be too thick for the synchro. This has reduced the amount it happens but I still occasionally get problems with the same gears mainly reverse. I've been advised however to give the oil time to work. __________________ Ex Furby vRS owner, soon to be Megane 230 owner My Photography page: Avs Photography

03-04-2005, 20:57	#10
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mines stiff when cold too.............but against french boxes it's a dream! __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

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