My LCR is very sick, any ideas?...

[Hairy]

Is there any known weak points with the gearbox on LCR's, mine has died completely and I had to get towed to Newbury SEAT . I was driving down the road when I heard and felt a thud, I thought I must have hit something in the road. Then more thuds so I thought I must be dragging what ever I’d hit so I pulled into a side road to check it out, couldn't see any thing or any damage so I got back in and gently tried to move forward. This led to grinding noise, another thud and the engine stalled so I called SEAT Assistance. The AA man tried to drive the car to see what was happening but by then it seemed to be completely ceased as the engine started to strain as you lifted the clutch pedal but the car wouldn't budge.

I'm guessing something major has happened in the gearbox but has any one got any guesses as to what? (Apologies for the poor description)

 

[ibizacupra]

any smell of g'box oil?

 

[DPJ]

Yes, my MY02 LC gearbox replaced at around 18k under warranty. I think box the same as LCR? Known problem?

 

[Hairy]

any smell of g'box oil?

I've no idea what that smells like, but I didn't notice any thing.

Yes, my MY02 LC gearbox replaced at around 18k under warranty. I think box the same as LCR? Known problem?

Similar mileage to what mine has done.

 

[ZBOYD]

Cupramax had a problem with his gearbox, but that was linkage related, gears wouldn't engage. If i remember correctly, im sure he'll correct me.

 

[vern]

search for cupramax posts on gearboxes(plural) yeah he had a couple

 

[ibizacupra]

I've no idea what that smells like, but I didn't notice any thing.

its not a nice smell so I guess you have'nt smelt it. (which means no nasty holes in your casing from a diff pin)
selection breakage perhaps.

 

[Hairy]

The results are in....

I've just spoken to SEAT Newbury and apparently the reason my gearbox isn't working too well is because there has been 'an internal failure and the bits have been thrown out through the side of the gearbox'. The good news is the replacement GB arrives on Wednesday and they have a loan car I can use until then.

 

[Nobber]

The good news is the replacement GB arrives on Wednesday and they have a loan car I can use until then.

Jesus that is a rarity.....take a picture of it cos everytime i take my car there, there is no car available for me!

Sorry to hear about your missfortune mate.

 

[warren_cox]

Ditto, I always end up walking to work when my car is serviced there.

Hairy did you notice anything before it happened or did it just fail without warning?

You don't have the best of luck with cars do you (after what happened with the Alfa).

 

[ibizacupra]

internal failure.. Hmmmm. exit thru side of case..
wonder if it was the diff rivets?

no hypoid smell tho.. must have exited thru the top I guess

 

[Hairy]

Jesus that is a rarity.....take a picture of it cos everytime i take my car there, there is no car available for me!

They have given me a New LEON Stylance TDi, so much nicer then the Toyota Yaris the AA organised for me!!

Ditto, I always end up walking to work when my car is serviced there.

Hairy did you notice anything before it happened or did it just fail without warning?

You don't have the best of luck with cars do you (after what happened with the Alfa).

No warning, just a sudden thump followed a few meters on by a few more thumps.

Newbury SEAT hope to have my LCR back with me for the weekend which I'm quite impressed at since they only got it late Friday evening (and was unexpected work).

 

[Hairy]

You don't have the best of luck with cars do you (after what happened with the Alfa).

Missed your comment about the Alfa first time round, this actually happened within 100m of where the engine in my Spider ceased!!!

Do you need to run in new gearbox's like you do engines?

 

[warren_cox]

Do you need to run in new gearbox's like you do engines?

not as far as I'm aware. I'd give it a couple of days before you get anywhere near redlining it but other than that just don't over rev when cold. Leon gearboxes don't seem to like changing at high revs at the best of time. Many a time where I've been revving it hard and the gear wont go in so I have just let the revs die off and then selected a lower gear. Never forced a gear.

See how it feels when you get it back. Maybe worth getting some decent gearbox oil and taking it in for them to use as the stuff VW supply doesn't age that well. Saves cahnging it later on.

 

[Hairy]

internal failure.. Hmmmm. exit thru side of case..
wonder if it was the diff rivets?

If a diff rivet is the same as what SEAT call a diff roller then you were correct. I know the picture is very poor (phone & poor light) but the roller can just about be seen in the center of the first pic poking out through the gearbox.

The end result is a new gearbox, new fly wheel and a new cluch.
to Newbury SEAT, they have not been the best in the past, but their service over the past week was spot on.

 

[ALEX**]

i had similar thing happen mate, my clutch flywheel and gbox repalced under warranty