Clutch or gearbox?

[duffy78]

Hi,

Got a slight gear change problem. My car is an Audi A4 1.8t Quattro. The box has always been stiff when cold changing into 1st and 2nd but recently reverse has been a real painting engage. Also all gears become stiff to engage at high engine revs / load.

The current mileage is at 100k and it had gear box oil changed in 2008. Im going to change the oil again for some fully synth Fuchs oil but was wondering if he symptoms may be indicating other problems? Master cylinder, synchro or dmf?

[GavinPearson]

The first rule of any gearbox issue is check the clutch operation first. The second is to check the oil and the third to check the gear selection system. Fix those and your problems may well be fixed.

[Bennachie]

DMF at that mileage IF the petrol model has one................

[Steve_D]

If it was the DMF and you took the starter out what sort of play could you detect? Would it only be radial?

Steve

[Bennachie]

Predominantly radial BUT I don't know if the petrols have a DMF. The diesels do.

Sadly my electronic Audi manual has been deleted from the laptop as I no longer need it.




Apparently you do have a DMF.

[GavinPearson]

It isn't likely to be the dmf. Not unless it is moving a lot axially and under those circumstances you would likely hear the dmf rub on the engine block.

Bleed the clutch, change the oil and make sure the gear selectors work properly and all will be well.

[duffy78]

Thanks for the advice.

Gearbox oil on order.

[duffy78]

ok,

oil changed, no different.

local indy has checked out the gear linkage and found it to be fine.

He has suggested the clutch needs replacing. Would a worn clutch present these symptoms? ie stiff gear selection?

[jimbob82]

duffy78 said:

ok,

oil changed, no different.

local indy has checked out the gear linkage and found it to be fine.

He has suggested the clutch needs replacing. Would a worn clutch present these symptoms? ie stiff gear selection?

In short yes. A thin clutch or weakened pressure plat will cause difficult selection

[davepoth]

Hydraulic clutch on these isn't it? My bet would be on a leaky seal somewhere.

[Mikey G]

How high is the bite point on the clutch pedal? If its at the top your likely to have a worn clutch, if its near the floor then its likely you have release bearing/cylinder issues.
IIRC the slave cylinder on these is external not like the A3 which requires gearbox removal.

[duffy78]

The bite point is pretty high.

I only have problems with the gears when the engine is running if that makes any difference. Gears are smooth as silk with the engine off.

Gear change gets stiffer as the engine speed in creases.

[ouninpohja]

Clutch not clearing.

[T1pper]

Oil on clutch plate from leaking crank seal ??

That my 2 pence worth!

[GavinPearson]

As I said, bleed the clutch. If the clutch hydraulics can't bleed properly then they are defective and need replacing.

If the clutch hydraulics don't operate correctly, the clutch will never fully disengage, and the gearbox will never work correctly.

A secondary symptom of this is that all the bits that are wearing because the clutch can't disengage are not going to help the bearings live so drain the oil and refill with new oil that is the correct specification.

[Chirpsean]

ouninpohja said:

Clutch not clearing.

+ 1 Bleed the clutch with fresh fluid and see how it is from there.