gearboxes, are they all bad?

[Iceash]

just want your thoughts on VW gearboxes. I’ve got an R reg 1.4 mk4 polo, and I find that if I'm a little quick with the gear change when cold I crunch the synchromesh. To be fair, only the synchromesh between 1st and 2nd however just wondered if anyone else has this kind of issue with there pride n joy?

Thanks all,

Ash

[kevinday]

What sort of mileage has the gearbox done? It could be that the synchro rings are a bit worn through usage.

[stevieturbo]

Is there oil in it ? and the correct type ? has it ever been changed ?

Do you press the clutch fully when changing gear ?

[Saied]

My previous car, a Mk2 Golf GTI 8v used to do this, changing from first to second. Worse when the 'box was cold; it was never a truly slick change, even when the oil was hot and the clutch was pressed ALL the way to the floor.

[hazzaboy69]

VW boxes seem pretty rubbish to me the golf I have whines quite a bit and yes it does have oil in and the correct type and its been changed regularly its a mk4 and has only done 44000 miles

[Iceash]

I've change the oil about 1500 miles ago to one that a VW garage said to use. Then the put molyslip in about 1000 miles ago, this seemed to help a little :-) but compared to my m8's focus gearchange it's not that close.

[stevieturbo]

I would be very very cautious about adding things to gear oil.

Many parts in a gearbox require friction to operate properly. Adding things to the oil that might change that, isnt always a good idea, and not what the original components were designed to work with.

[mattiselvis]

I have a very similar problem on first and second on the GTI-6. First is essentially impossible to engage without crunching if the car is in motion, and even when stopped it sometimes needs working to engage. Second is much better, but there is considerable resistance when moving down the box into it, and when making rapid upshifts.

I suspect that the sychro has gone on first and is on the way out on second. That said, at my last service I was told that the clutch is well on the way out, although I haven't noticed this (I guess you get used to it). Could this be a possible cause?

New gearbox oil may be needed, but to be honest I want to have the engine rebuilt (radiator is on its last legs and the water pump is showing initial signs of leaks), the gearbox overhauled and the clutch replaced so I'm currently living with the problems in the box.

[andytk]

Iceash said:

just want your thoughts on VW gearboxes. I’ve got an R reg 1.4 mk4 polo, and I find that if I'm a little quick with the gear change when cold I crunch the synchromesh. To be fair, only the synchromesh between 1st and 2nd however just wondered if anyone else has this kind of issue with there pride n joy? Thanks all, Ash

I drive a 1.4 litre 51 plate Skoda Fabia. As its a VAG car I'm willing to bet a few quid that it has the same engine gearbox combo, albiet with more modern fuel injection. I had an old Skoda Felica on an N plate and it had what looked like the same engine block as my current Fabia.
As the Felica and the Polo were VAG stablemates back in 96, I'm willing to bet they have the same engine.

Anyhoo, the gearbox in the Fabia is a disgrace. Its a sod to shift, but is better while cold.
for what its worth my clutch does all its business in the first 1/5th of its travel.
I was suspicious that the clutch was dragging and that was what was causing it difficulties in shifting, so I jacked the front of the car up and got someone to tell me when the airborne wheel started to spin as I raised the clutch. With the clutch fully disengaged in first the wheels weren't rotating, so I know the clutch isn't dragging.

Anyone got any ideas on why its a crappy shifter?

Andy

[B19GRR]

Weird, my gfs old 1.4 SEAT Ibiza (52 plate) had just about the best gear change I've ever come across. Once again it must be the same engine and box as the current VAG Polo equivalents.

Cheers,
Rob

[aVOCET]

Molyslip is about the worst thing you can do to a box with ailing synchromesh! The synchros are supposed to work by cutting through the oil film and "grabbing" at the rotating shafts to alter their speed. Anything that makes it harder for them to get through the lubrication will make the changes worse (IMO)!

[chuntington101]

i have to agree that VW box's are suspect! a mates Mk4 tdi lost second and third (i think).

he had a new box put in umder warantee and they didn't do everything up properly and the drive shaft came out the gearbox!!!!

chris.

[andytk]

B19GRR said:

Weird, my gfs old 1.4 SEAT Ibiza (52 plate) had just about the best gear change I've ever come across. Once again it must be the same engine and box as the current VAG Polo equivalents. Cheers, Rob

Not necessarily. There are two different type of engines. The old 8 valve engine that predates the dinosaurs and the much better more modern twin cam engine, that no doubt comes with a better gearbox.

I've drive a Skoda 1.3 litre 12valve engine and its much better than my 8 valve engine despite theoretically having less torque but the same power. (different gear ratios/final drive)

Andy