Gearbox issues? I think?

[phil25]

Hi

Can someone shed some light on this issue I seem to be having.

ok so I have a leon mk2 1.6tdi 1p1 2011. It has been running ok but I’ve noticed that if it is a low revs(say in traffic) maybe 2nd or 3rd gear. If you rev the car up the engine seems to rev slightly before you feel the pull through the gearbox. It’s almost as if there’s play in loads of cogs and it’s taking a while to actually drive the car forward. It does the same when coming sharply off the accelerator too. I’m suspecting there to be some play somewhere but not 100% sure where to look. Any help would be appreciated. Do I need a new gearbox? Also the wife says the clutch is heavy but as I drive it all the time I haven’t noticed. Didn’t know if this was linked to something going wrong?

sorry for the poor description. You really need to drive it to understand what I mean. I’ve owned the vehicle for about 8 years and this has been getting worse in the last 2 years I’d say. It has also done 93000 for those interested.

thank you for any help or advice.

 

[jcbmally]

Maybe is the clutch, any clutch smells ? Diff feel ok ?

 

[Rusty2k]

Yep, sounds like a dead clutch to me too.

 

[phil25]

Is that what a clutch would do. Would that make it behave like I’ve described?
Ok so next question. Are these a nightmare to do or is there anything I should ask to be replaced whilst it’s in bits?

thank you for your help guys.

 

[phil25]

Maybe is the clutch, any clutch smells ? Diff feel ok ?

No clutch smells and yea diff feels ok.

 

[jcbmally]

Is that what a clutch would do. Would that make it behave like I’ve described?
Ok so next question. Are these a nightmare to do or is there anything I should ask to be replaced whilst it’s in bits?

thank you for your help guys.

Clutch is not a nightmare to do if you have all the kit to do it, or a garage will charge a few hundred quid. I would change the thrust bearing too.

 

[andylong]

Clutch, it won't necessarily smell unless it's worked hard.
Try accelerating hard at around 40 in 3rd. You'll see the revs rise without much increase in speed if it's clutch

 

[andylong]

My clutch is going, under normal driving it is ok, but if I pick it up a bit it slips

 

[andylong]

Problem with doing the clutch your self is the hassle of all the stuff to do to separate engine and gearbox. With the right tools it's ok, without it's a nightmare.
I miss my beetle in that regard.

 

[phil25]

Clutch, it won't necessarily smell unless it's worked hard.
Try accelerating hard at around 40 in 3rd. You'll see the revs rise without much increase in speed if it's clutch

Hi.
Thanks for the reply. Ok so have tried the test and revved up all the way up to redline, going up a big hill. No clutch slipping. The vehicles pulls hard all the way to redline. The issue I’m having seems to be at low revs and feels like the cogs in the gearbox have play in them so it takes a split second to take up the play before it drives. If that makes sense. Do the gearbox’s wear out? The vehicle was originally a lease vehicle so may have had a hard first 3 years. I suppose it’s really a garage job re clutch but that don’t seem to be slipping.

 

[mty12345]

Hi.
Thanks for the reply. Ok so have tried the test and revved up all the way up to redline, going up a big hill. No clutch slipping. The vehicles pulls hard all the way to redline. The issue I’m having seems to be at low revs and feels like the cogs in the gearbox have play in them so it takes a split second to take up the play before it drives. If that makes sense. Do the gearbox’s wear out? The vehicle was originally a lease vehicle so may have had a hard first 3 years. I suppose it’s really a garage job re clutch but that don’t seem to be slipping.

No they don't wear in that sense, they pretty much work or they don't, you can't have free play in a gearbox like that.

Sounds like something else in the drivetrain is causing the issue, worn inner CV joints on the driveshafts would be my best guess. Take it to a garage and get them to check.

 

[phil25]

No they don't wear in that sense, they pretty much work or they don't, you can't have free play in a gearbox like that.

Sounds like something else in the drivetrain is causing the issue, worn inner CV joints on the driveshafts would be my best guess. Take it to a garage and get them to check.

Agh I didn’t think of that. Yea you could be right. I’ll book it in a garage and will report my findings. Thanks for your help.

 

[andylong]

Omg worn driveshaft splines...sooner have me clutch go !

 

[phil25]

Omg worn driveshaft splines...sooner have me clutch go !

Are they a pain to do then!

 

[mty12345]

Agh I didn’t think of that. Yea you could be right. I’ll book it in a garage and will report my findings. Thanks for your help.

No worries, and no, if that's what it turns out to be, then it's not that big of a job for a garage. Easiest thing is to replace both driveshafts complete with new inner and outer joints. Driveshafts are probably £75 each, plus maybe an hours labour each side.

 

[andylong]

No they aren't a pain, way easier than a clutch.
If the splines are worn and slipping the metal from the splines has gone somewhere...