flywheel or clutch problem HELP!!

Audiman99

Audiman99

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Hi, today driving to work my car started making a funny knocking noise coming from what sounded like underneith the car or in the engine bay near the gearbox. I noticed that as soon as i select 6th gear I get a horrible catching noise. Like a playing card in a bicycles wheel spokes. Noticed the other gears where fine and carried on in to work driving slowly using the other gears.

Thought id test the car on my break and noticed the knocking was a tad louder and sounded like something was loose under the gearbox. Don't think its the gearbox though as it makes the noise when stationary in neutral. Also noticed the noise goes after a few seconds when you press the clutch.

Called RAC and they have a few ideas, either front dif, clutch bearing or flywheel. Previous owner had a new clutch fitted but that was 5 years ago. Haven't noticed the clutch slipping but it def felt down on power.

This is an absolute nightmare, have just booked a holiday for next month and don't think I can afford to go now :(

Any ideas guys.

Allan
 
Hi, thanks for the reply. The RAC guy who towed me says it sounds like the flywheel. I remember I used to notice that when idle the car would rattle a bit and it would stop when I pressed the clutch down, assumed this was normal and down to the dogbone mount. I guess its been on its way out for a while.

Any idea on cost? I have a small garage round the corner to me, but this sounds like a big job which he might not want to take on.

Thanks
 
Jonesy said:
Hi, thanks for the reply. The RAC guy who towed me says it sounds like the flywheel. I remember I used to notice that when idle the car would rattle a bit and it would stop when I pressed the clutch down, assumed this was normal and down to the dogbone mount. I guess its been on its way out for a while.

Any idea on cost? I have a small garage round the corner to me, but this sounds like a big job which he might not want to take on.

Thanks
Click to expand...

You should feel a little judder on idle. That's signs that the flywheel is starting to go. My mate had s bora and when his was gone the whole car was vibrating but didn't make any kind of noises.

Mine did the little judder on idle and I changed mine while I was on doing the clutch. Cost me £700 for flywheel and clutch fitted
 
not too sure on the judder, seems pretty normal except a tapping underneath, sounds like something is gonna fall off.

Im gonna take it to a garage tommorrow and see what they say, fingers crossed it doesnt cost too much.
 
Jonesy said:
not too sure on the judder, seems pretty normal except a tapping underneath, sounds like something is gonna fall off.

Im gonna take it to a garage tommorrow and see what they say, fingers crossed it doesnt cost too much.
Click to expand...

If your not getting any wobble/vibrating/judder then I would say its not the flywheel. Hard to say without actually hearing it but you get a tapping noise when the thrust bearing needs doing my brother in laws is like this on his Octavian 1.8t
 
This sounds like clutch bearing to me, heard it many times on Golf's & Audi's.

Press the clutch the noise will either disappear (on its way out) or will just get slightly quieter (needs changing)

Really common and worth upgrading, i know its about £300 for the A3 tdi 110
 
Been to the garage and he seems to think its the gearbox but wont know till everything's out, he also recommended that I change the clutch at the same time, as its only 6 bolts.

I'm pretty sure its not the flywheel now, as I have hardly any movement in the car at idle, only a knocking of something definitely loose, which sounds worse when driving. Goes into all the gears fine and doesn't slip except making that catching noise in 6th.

Only problem I've got is it cant be booked in till next Thurs :(
 
Jonesy said:
Been to the garage and he seems to think its the gearbox but wont know till everything's out, he also recommended that I change the clutch at the same time, as its only 6 bolts.

I'm pretty sure its not the flywheel now, as I have hardly any movement in the car at idle, only a knocking of something definitely loose, which sounds worse when driving. Goes into all the gears fine and doesn't slip except making that catching noise in 6th.

Only problem I've got is it cant be booked in till next Thurs :(
Click to expand...


Defo think its a bearing. Be interested to know what is though. Let us know what it was
 
Been to another garage this morning 'Mr Clutch' and he says the same thing, gearbox or transfer box. The gearbox specialist wasn't in so I'm popping back in an hour. Anyway if it is the gearbox been quoted 1200 just for the recon. Wasn't expecting that, plus that wasn't including the labour of removing and fitting!

Would I be better off sourcing a second hand gearbox and are they all the same 210, 225, Audi, TT etc

Thanks
 
just been back again and spoke to the specialist and he said 100% gearbox problem, the chatter in 6th gear is possibly some broken teeth, but the constant rattle noise is from the gearbox. They cant give me a final price until the gearbox has been sent away and looked at. Cost could be upto 1200.

Guess the cheapest option is to buy a second hand gearbox and hope for the best. he also mentioned maybe changing the oil and see if that quietens it.

Allan
 
2nd hand box = 2nd hand problems

if everything else is working just get the broken parts replaced and refit with new oil

my passat needed diff bearings, i had it all done for under £900 with new clutch and fly
 
Ya true Ste-Nova, but tbh once its back on the road Ive gotta sell it. I cant afford to have anything else go wrong. Since owning I've had the headgasket and turbo both go each costing thousands to repair, now this! Never knew owning an Audi would be so expensive.

Just an idea, could the constant rattle I hear at idle and when driving be down to the 6th gear teeth that 'may' have broken off and sitting in the gearbox somewhere? Does the gearbox have a magnetic plug to catch these parts and can I somehow remove them?

Thanks guys

Allan
 
ok so Ive ended up buying a 2nd hand gearbox off ebay for £220. It looks good, only done 70k. Spoke to seller on phone and he says it runs perfect with no knocks or rattles. So fingers crossed its a good one. Also bought a LUK clutch kit from eurocarparts for £144. Might as well get it all done at the same time.

Anything else I should think about changing, any seals, gaskets, bearings etc. Also how much oil will I need, prob be cheaper to provide my own.

Thanks
 
Hi, gearbox arrived this morning and I booked in with a local Audi specialist near me. Dropped car off with a quote of £225 to fit gearbox and clutch which sounded too good to be true. Just had a call a minute ago and he says, sorry didn't realise it was a 4 wheel drive, will take about 9 hours labour which is normally £500+ but we will do it for £400 as they made a mistake! WTF, what kind of specialists are they, not knowing an Audi s3 is 4 wheel drive!!

Im fed up and just want it fixed so have said just do it. Does £400 sound reasonable for gearbox and clutch fitted, I assume this will include seals and oil etc.

Allan
 
Guess what, garage trying to get me to replace flywheel, saying its on its way out and I might as well replace it while its all apart! If I had the money I probably would but skint as now and pretty sure they chatting **** anyway, just trying to get more money out of me tbh.
 
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