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Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:59 pm
by LeebzP
Hi guys.
Has anyone experienced a clunking noise when changing gears? I have a 1.0 tsi manual rline. Upon browsing, I've read that it could be related to some mountings. I also suspect the rattling noise upon acceleration is related.
I took it to VW the last service and I was told it's just normal. The next service is coming soon and I'm taking it to a different dealer to confirm.
Please advise.
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
by The Random Dan
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:04 pm
by LeebzP
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
Although we've got different engines, I do think we have the exact same issue indeed.
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:06 pm
by roakley
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
That means it's 'pinking' - not a good thing to do!
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:12 pm
by roakley
roakley wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:06 pm
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
That means it's 'pinking' - not a good thing to do!
Pinking" is very bad and can permanently damage the internals of the engine
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:15 pm
by The Random Dan
roakley wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:06 pm
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
That means it's 'pinking' - not a good thing to do!
Don’t do it often, sometimes just try to accelerate in too higher gear and have to change down
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:16 pm
by The Random Dan
roakley wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:06 pm
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
That means it's 'pinking' - not a good thing to do!
Don’t do it often, sometimes just try to accelerate in too higher gear and have to change down
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:42 am
by Steve_2019
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
I sometimes get clucking when I’m putting my DSG in too park from drive.
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:04 am
by monkeyhanger
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:16 pm
roakley wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:06 pm
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:44 pm
I have a GTI with DSG and mine clunks sometimes at low revs when im manual shifting, sounds like engine mounts or CV joints taking up slack
Also if I accelerate from too low revs in too high gear I get a rattle like the whole transmission is rattling. Mines only 4 months old and done 2,000 miles
That means it's 'pinking' - not a good thing to do!
Don’t do it often, sometimes just try to accelerate in too higher gear and have to change down
Are you in full manual mode when you do this? Surely if the car is in D or S mode, the DSG box will knock down through the gears if you try to labour the engine by putting your foot down in something like 4th at 1200rpm? Or do you get that rattle/shudder initially only while the car waits to drop a gear or 2?
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 8:53 am
by The Random Dan
monkeyhanger wrote: Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:04 am
The Random Dan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:16 pm
roakley wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:06 pm
That means it's 'pinking' - not a good thing to do!
Don’t do it often, sometimes just try to accelerate in too higher gear and have to change down
Are you in full manual mode when you do this? Surely if the car is in D or S mode, the DSG box will knock down through the gears if you try to labour the engine by putting your foot down in something like 4th at 1200rpm? Or do you get that rattle/shudder initially only while the car waits to drop a gear or 2?
Yes in full manual Mode, it doesn’t sound like engine pinking, its like a shudder in the drivetrain
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 9:52 am
by monkeyhanger
You're labouring the engine if you put your foot down in a high gear at low rpm, well below the turbo spooling threshold of about 1800rpm. Its normal for the drivetrain to do that under those circumstances.
Labouring the engine is not something I'd recommend doing.
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:13 am
by The Random Dan
I am aware its normal, just confirming to the OP that mine makes the same noises.
Like I said I don’t make a habit of doing it, its just those instances when you think “I’ll see if i can overtake this cyclist without having to change down” but you end up having to anyway.
90% of the time its just in normal D mode
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:31 am
by Simonz
I have noticed the same noise, a clunking sound mainly at low speeds when changing from first to second and then second to third. I think it's normal, a 'characteristic' of the vehicle. It's the differential having a bit of movement and taking up the slack in the gears. If you drive carefully you can eliminate it, but just let the clutch out a bit carelessly you hear the clonk. I think this may have been raised by VW Up! owners a while back, not helped by the gearbox having a thin casing (cost cutting again). If it's any help I had the same noise on my previous Fiesta Zetec, as well as a terrible graunching sound as you put a load on the gearbox from low speed - suspect that was the layshaft bearing. Gearboxes are tough though, probably will run for 100k with the noise it' just very irritating. Makes you want to buy an automatic...

Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 11:24 am
by SRGTD
Happens with my previous generation Polo GTI with manual gearbox when changing from 1st to 2nd. It’s been like that from new and the car’s now 4 years 4 months old. Gear change is very smooth and the clunking noise hasn’t got any worse since new.
Re: Clunking noise when changing gears.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:10 pm
by monkeyhanger
Simonz wrote: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:31 am
I think this may have been raised by VW Up! owners a while back, not helped by the gearbox having a thin casing (cost cutting again).
It's not "cost cutting", it's "weight saving"
Cost cutting wouldn't be quite so bad if the cutting back didn't coincide with inflation busting price rises.