The 80,000 mile curse, ha!

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:36 pm

I think my car is sick (not in a gangsta way)

Someone once stated, on this very forum, "I've never seen a Polo GTI reach 80,000 miles on it's original gearbox". Well, my mileage currently reads 79856 as it sits on my drive and guess what? Gearbox woes

Currently, if I engage reverse it crunches. Every time. When I engage first gear it is very stiff and reluctant to engage, but once you coax the lever into position (notchy!) it is then OK. The change into second gear is easier but still a bit more difficult than it should be, then finally anything from third to fifth is fine.

There is no obvious whine apparent when driving. But, often when you engage first or reverse gears and sit at idle with the clutch fully depressed and the car in gear, a vibration is detected. I have only noticed this particular symptom in the last day or two.

My preferred mechanic (who is a very knowledgeable chap) suggests it is a sign that the synchros are slowly failing and sooner or later I will lose the use of the gears...

So its time to look out for a replacement 'box!

I'm off to Stafford this weekend for my Powerflow annual check up, so my mileage will rise above the accursed 80,000 mark before the swap, ha ha

Well it had to happen sooner or later didn't it!

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:41 pm

Mine has had these kind of symptoms since I first bought it, had it for around 5000 miles now and no change, and no loss of gears..what i really don't like is the way that sometimes if i try and select reverse it refuses but you then move the car forward slightly and it slots right in...my last polo did this when the gearbox was knackered..but it was making some terrible noise by that point

olop_chris · Post by **olop_chris** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:54 pm

Si...you've got to make it over 80,000! Come on you can do it

Alex_6n2 · Post by **Alex_6n2** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:26 pm

Si get on the m6, stay in 5th and drive to Scotland.

That'll see your 80k miles, then you can let it die in peace, knowing it was the oldest, and most wise gearbox to ever live in a gti

Dangerous Dave · Post by **Dangerous Dave** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:30 pm

What you desribe is the symptoms I had when my pedal box was on its way out causing the clutch not to fully disengage causing the gears to catch on the syncro in 1st especially, the rest get easier as the wheels are spinning making the work less for the syncros.

As far as I am aware reverse doesn't have a syncro on the GTIs box which makes it a lot harder to engage if the clutch isn't being fully released, so seems to tie into what is happening to yours. A quick way to check is too adjust the clutch cable is easy enough to do. If you are heading to power flow they could do it easily. You could also put it in first on a flat bit of road and dip the clutch and rev the engine and see if the car moves forward.

(I had two pedal boxes fail on my car, one being the new replacement one)

cyhliu · Post by **cyhliu** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:09 am

Two pedal box failures? One being the replacement one? Thats not good, so even with the recall it could mean that it can still collapse?

Si_GTi, hmmm, this sounds familiar but being a none technical chap that I am I not sure if I'm speaking correctly, I had very similar problems not long after I purchased mine, luckily enough it was still under warranty and I took it back to the dealer, what was wrong was the gear linkages were mis-aligned and so they re-aligned it with some sort of template, this worked, resolved the problem and I've had none since.

Just thought I might shared this with you as it may save you some money...to those out that was a more technical, if this possible or was my dealership telling be a load of codswallop?

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:11 pm

Thanks Dave, Chris. I can get the guy who fitted my clutch to take a look and re-adjust it. One thing I must point out is that the bite is set to pretty much it's lowest point and has been like that since the clutch was fitted! I only have to lift the clutch a tiny amount to get the car to start moving forward. Time to get the bite adjusted I think, a little higher.

Linkages, AFAIK, are a straightforward job. Again the same guy who fitted my clutch can take care of that. I'll get both these things checked and go from there, it will most certainly be a hell of a lot cheaper than a recon 'box!

Pedal box I will have looked at also. Hopefully this weekend, and I will report back my progress.

Thanks!

Luke'sGti · Post by **Luke'sGti** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:35 pm

good luck si sounds like you may need it

D-Dub · Post by **D-Dub** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:26 am

Unlucky Si, another gearbox bites the dust

My gearbox made it to 88,000 odd miles

ticki · Post by **ticki** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:08 pm

oh no I'm at 63000 miles and putting on miles fast. I'm getting a subtle grinding sound when pressing and releasing the clutch, I hope the problem is not linked to the gearbox, please please please.

Anyone had a similar problem?

Ry` · Post by **Ry`** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:30 am

Mines on 82k now

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:40 pm

Dangerous Dave wrote:What you desribe is the symptoms I had when my pedal box was on its way out causing the clutch not to fully disengage causing the gears to catch on the syncro in 1st especially, the rest get easier as the wheels are spinning making the work less for the syncros.

As far as I am aware reverse doesn't have a syncro on the GTIs box which makes it a lot harder to engage if the clutch isn't being fully released, so seems to tie into what is happening to yours. A quick way to check is too adjust the clutch cable is easy enough to do. If you are heading to power flow they could do it easily. You could also put it in first on a flat bit of road and dip the clutch and rev the engine and see if the car moves forward.

(I had two pedal boxes fail on my car, one being the new replacement one)

Full marks to Dave on this one. The new clutch I had fitted some time back in last year needs adjustment because, as you point out, it is not fully disengaging. I will have the condition of the pedal box checked out at the same time, the car goes in tomorrow evening.

So it is NOT THE GEARBOX

Bryony84 · Post by **Bryony84** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:45 pm

ticki wrote: oh no I'm at 63000 miles and putting on miles fast. I'm getting a subtle grinding sound when pressing and releasing the clutch, I hope the problem is not linked to the gearbox, please please please.

Anyone had a similar problem?

I get the grinding noise, its not very loud and its been there since I got the car. Doesn't seem to have got any worse in the 6 months I've had the car. No idea what it is, but it doesn't seem to be causing any more problems.

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:01 pm

ticki wrote: oh no I'm at 63000 miles and putting on miles fast. I'm getting a subtle grinding sound when pressing and releasing the clutch, I hope the problem is not linked to the gearbox, please please please.

Anyone had a similar problem?

I don't get a grinding noise as such, but i get feedback on the clutch as i depress it, it feels like grinding if you get me but no noise