Can't Reverse!!!

[Republic]

Hi, hoping someone could possibly shed some light on why I can't get my MK4 1.9 TDI into reverse! Was fine when I left home this morning but when trying to park at work it just wouldn't engage. After about 5 mins of trying and forcing it so much I thought the gear stick was going to break it eventually went in. Never had any problems engaging any gears before. Is this going to be a new gearbox?

 

[AndyHazza]

It might just be the cables to the selector on the gearbox. Worth getting these checked first

 

[.Phase]

could be a clutch problem too? but that would affect all gears I would have thought!

 

[Republic]

Going to see what it does at lunch time, when its cooled down. Is there anthing I can try that could point to what the problem could be or is it just get it to a garage time?? (providing I don't need to reverse)

 

[.Phase]

all other gears smooth & slick as normal?

 

[Republic]

all other gears smooth & slick as normal?

Yes, no problems. Althought didn't then try them after I couldn't get it in reverse as was just trying to get out of the way. Will test at lunch.....

 

[Republic]

oh s#!t! Just tried it again, reverse now works but gears 1 and 2 don't! Seems like I can select the gear but no drive when lifting the clutch. 3rd seemed to work tho!

 

[Republic]

Just thought I'd update.... Made it about 300 yards down the road from work and BANG! Gearbox exploded!!!! Anyone know if there is a common problem with these, as its a bit strange for it to blow up with absolutly no warning.

 

[.Phase]

no, very strange for a TDi gearbox :/

bad news, unlucky I guess

it wasn't whining or anything before?

 

[Republic]

no absolutely nothing

 

[CJRamze]

Derv boxes are made from granite.
I've never heard of one breaking (Unless they have SERIOUS miles on them) Very very strange indeed fella.
Their normally a popular upgrade for Dubbers running lots of power as the boxes are strong!

 

[Republic]

Only 99 thousand on the clock, so for diesel should have got the same again. Garage have said that the casing is cracked and holed and what’s left of the gears poking through them. Fed in other words!

So have a couple of quotes ranging from £1k to 1.5k depending on whether they have to replace the clutch and the "dual master flywheel"...... Would have thought the clutch was a given...... Does this seem like a fair price? Other thing that’s eating away is, is it actually worth spending this kind of money!?!

 

[Blanco92]

I'd have said it's more than likely that the clutch and dual mass flywheel will need to be changed.

I'd search around for specific gearbox specialists to recondition the existing or supply you with a reconditioned gearbox. Whereabouts are you located?

 

[Republic]

The car is in Gloucester but I live in Bristol. Decided to get it recovered back to Bristol to a VAG specialist that I've used before. They seemed to know what they'd be dealing with. Said they might be able to source a second hand gearbox (presumably from a write off) rather than a reconditioned one... any thoughts on buying a 2nd hand one vs a gearbox thats already gone wrong at some point but has been fixed?

 

[Blanco92]

The car is in Gloucester but I live in Bristol. Decided to get it recovered back to Bristol to a VAG specialist that I've used before. They seemed to know what they'd be dealing with. Said they might be able to source a second hand gearbox (presumably from a write off) rather than a reconditioned one... any thoughts on buying a 2nd hand one vs a gearbox thats already gone wrong at some point but has been fixed?

I'm off to Gloucester tomorrow.

Inde-Tech over in Milton Keynes are a reputable VAG Specialist, they're particularly good with Audi's CVT automatic gearboxes.

I'd have personally preferred a reconditioned one as you know it's been overhauled and inspected, a used one could still have issues. You'd get a warranty on a reconditioned box, but you wouldn't on a used one. A used one should be cheaper though, so I'd get a quote for both and see what you prefer.

 

[Republic]

So got the car to the specialist and have said the gearbox has literally blown itself apart. Said that he'd never seen one this bad! Just my luck!

Garage says that due to the damage of the gearbox might have a problem with getting a recon as supply depends on whether the box being returned is in a 'serviceable' condition, so might have no option but to find a 2nd hand one.

Additional problem is apparently the box in it is not quite the same as a Golf MK4 with the same engine so will make finding a 2nd hand or recon that bit harder.

 

[.Phase]

what about polo, fabia, audi's, octavia, sharan, bora etc.! is ibiza one different completely?

 

[Republic]

Apparently its to do with the mountings and bracketry but not sure about any others in the VAG family, plus being a 6 speed making it that bit rarer.

 

[Republic]

 

[Si_TDi_FR]

Ouch! Looks like they were deffo trying to escape!!!