Leaking Gearbox - advice please!

[-LeonFR-]

Had my FR TDi in for 90k service this morning and the independent garage advise there is a leak on the gearbox that is likely to lead to major damage
They have advised me not to drive it and suggested I may have grounds for a warranty claim from SEAT.

Phoned SEAT who say it must be towed to main stealer to be diagnosed and they may then consider a 'goodwill gesture' Car was registered in July 2005 so it's well out of warranty by now.

Is this a known problem (the independent said it is quite common)?

Am i likely to get a decent contribution from SEAT?

Anyone have any experience of the same problem?

Thanks guys

 

[wurzel]

Where is the leak? near the drain plug? or between the box and the engine?

My gearbox has developed a slight leak near the drain plug so having it checked on Friday.

 

[andycupra]

whats the cost to repair?

if you get it towed to a dealer how much will that cost...

no guarantees regarding good will. expect half at a guess...

do the sums...

but of course take a look to confirm what they are saying

 

[-LeonFR-]

Thanks for the replies. Went down and had a look, leaking along about 5-6 inches of the seam at the bottom of the box, not from the drain plug. Lots of oil on the undertray. Decided there was no point paying to get it to SEAT, then paying their rates for looking at it when the car is 8 months out of warranty.

Gearbox has gone to refurb place to be stripped down for a look inside. The thing is it has been driving fine, no whine, no crunching or difficulty selecting gears.

Is it likely that there will be damage or should it just need a new seal?

thanks

 

[AwesomeSarah]

Hi
I know that if the slave cylinder has gone , that can cause the gearbox to leak....
Hopefully not in this case
Sarah

 

[jwfcms]

why hopefully not in this case?

id rather the slave cylinder be leaking than from inside the box. the only other thing that could leak from around there is the 1st motion shaft seal which is easy to replace and box doesnt have to come apart. i replaced mine when doing the clutch. compared to having a box strip down and recon which would cost easy in excess of £600 id rather a £40 slave cylinder be gone which can be easily replaced along with a new clutch while the box is out

 

[AwesomeSarah]

Mmm
As it can get expensive
As you said , if the gearbox is out , then it is worth doing the clutch too
But hopefully if that is what you want.....
Suppose as you said , it could be worse if it needs a total strip down
Hope you get it sorted soon
Sarah

 

[-LeonFR-]

Thanks for replies. Just spoken to the garage. The gearbox refurb place tell them that 4th, 5th and 6th gears are knackered and it's 'uneconomical to repair'. Surely if the car was driving fine (no noise or difficulty selecting) this can't be the case? Am I being ripped off here?

 

[-LeonFR-]

Well I've sourced a low mileage 'box for £500 delivered. Only a short warranty on it but I'm not too fussed about that as it will only have to get me as far as the nearest Honda dealership. 6 months of VAG 'reliability' has put me off non-Jap cars for life

Thanks for your help all.