Manual Gearbox - Stiff gear changes when cold - 2.0 TDI S Line

T

torx

Registered User
Joined
Aug 20, 2013
Messages
21
Reaction score
3
Points
1
Location
NULL
I know this issue has been talked about by a few but just looking for advice from those that have managed to cure this.

Reading around seems the following has been tried:

- Oil change on box with different type of oil
- Gear linkage adjustment
- Clutch change (although for most what I have read does not cure this)

I just want to know if any of you have tried these things and had success in sorting the gear changing issue when cold.

I have the 2.0 TDi S line, 2010
 
done all of these things didnt cure it ,had some oil additive given to me from an auto transmission place ,that did cure it .
no idea what its called ,plain bottle as he gets it by the 5 gallon drum load . all i know is its made in australia .
 
Thanks for the reply. Be nice to know if anyone else has used an additive to cure this, if so the name of the product.
 
I had the same problem with my 2009 2.0 tdi but also difficulty in selecting 1st and 2nd gear.Audi replaced the second gear in the gearbox but this didnt help.A change in viscosity did.It was a thinner oil that they put in that i had to wait for a fortnight as it came from germany.Solved my problem.
 
Thanks. I'll see if a independent Audi garage knows the type to use.

Its a bit weird as it is sometimes ok (even in the cold) and other times not.
 
torx said:
Thanks. I'll see if a independent Audi garage knows the type to use.

Its a bit weird as it is sometimes ok (even in the cold) and other times not.
Click to expand...
yep I have the exact same issue be good to know how you get on and what you have used, if it cures it that is.
 
It's an outstanding problem for years iv had it in my 1998 A3 and my 2002 S3...no doubt this winter my A4 will be the same
 
I have this problem to with my 2007 2.0 tdi. Even at 22,000 it was doing this.

johnnythepie said:
I had the same problem with my 2009 2.0 tdi but also difficulty in selecting 1st and 2nd gear.Audi replaced the second gear in the gearbox but this didnt help.A change in viscosity did.It was a thinner oil that they put in that i had to wait for a fortnight as it came from germany.Solved my problem.
Click to expand...

This sound promising about the oil viscosity change Jonnythepie. Don't suppose you have paper work on that thinner gearbox oil do you?
 
I had the same problem hard to get 1st and 2rd gear I changed the oil and it sorted it
 
Would really be a great help if someone could let us know the oil used to rectify this problem. Seems a few have managed to sort it with the oil change but need that vital info!
 
  • Like
Reactions: SI-W85
Today I tried to ring my local Audi main dealer to ask the question as to what oil I can use to stop this notchy 1st 2nd gear problem that is obviously a common problem, but all I got was the correct oil to use as per the book so that was no help. Maybe someone else wants to try there local dealer see if they will help as it seems nobody on this thread who says they have changed there oil and it sorted it wants to help us.
 
I would like to know this too if anyone can help ?

I had this problem on our 2.0 tdi 143 s line and had it back to sheffield audi under warranty and the changed the clutch and flywheel saying it was some bearing in the clutch, it was a little better but not much i think they just made money out of audi uk for the warranty claim.
 
Well seen as nobody has been able to help us on this I have booked in at an Audi specialist as my oil change is due and also asked them to change gear box oil and the lad who I spoke to told me you can use some lighter gear oil which should help the notchy 1st & 2nd gear problem but it has to come from main dealer so when it has been done I will let you all know what oil it was and if it sorted the problem out...
 
My 2008 B8 2.0 TDI S LINE with 49,000 on clock had stiff gears , 1st to 2nd was terrible & gear change got worse as car warmed up!! just had it at my local indy garage who stripped off gearbox to investigate. Result: New clutch, dmf, modified clutch arm & gearbox oil change cost £1,4038 inc VAT!!. Yeah a lot of money but now drives like new.
 
audi upgrades
Hmmm that's odd as most on here have stuff gear change whilst cold and get better when warm, gutted for you hope it stays all good, the lad who I spoke to said that these gear boxes come notchy from new bit poor if you ask me but hey what can I do now but try and fix it
 
dantdi said:
I have this problem to with my 2007 2.0 tdi. Even at 22,000 it was doing this.



This sound promising about the oil viscosity change Jonnythepie. Don't suppose you have paper work on that thinner gearbox oil do you?
Click to expand...

Sorry but no i dont.This was in april 2009.I have asked the service advisor who sorted it out for me ( who is now my boss ) and all he can remember was that it was a thinner oil that had to be ordered from germany, as dealers do not as a matter of course keep gearboxoil for manuals as the boxes have no maintainance guidelines unlike a dsg box.All I can suggest is to research gearbox oils and choose one that is thinner than the standard.Unfortunately the record of my vehicle when at the dealer for this problem does not go into detail, just the fact that the oil was changed.
 
SI-W85 said:
Hmmm that's odd as most on here have stuff gear change whilst cold and get better when warm, gutted for you hope it stays all good, the lad who I spoke to said that these gear boxes come notchy from new bit poor if you ask me but hey what can I do now but try and fix it
Click to expand...
That is a perfect example of a high viscous oil....thick when cold and thinner when warm
 
Yeah your rite this will be why we have been advised to swap to some thinner oil which is what I am doing but it has to come from audi dealer so I'm currently waiting on its arrival just hope its ok, even though it's recommended for the box still makes you wonder about a thinner oil been good enough.
 
Yeah just had a read, there are two oil weights you can use for the B8 2.0tdi but when I rang audi myself and told him the issue I'm have and gave him my chassis number he only can back with one grade of oil that is why I went to another garage who we use for all our company cars & vans they are vag specialists and the new lad there happened to work for audi before and he knew the issues with the notchy gears also the lighter oil that I need, so as my car is due an oil change I've asked for the gearbox to be done at same time, I'm hoping this cures it.
 
Would help me and others if we know what oil is used. The independant specialists are way better than the dealers. They rely on repeat custom by choice not by dealer stamp and therefore have people that are well into their cars.
 
Guys,
You may have to look deeper then just changing the gearbox oil to cure your problems, like I have said in my previous post mine was bad and had the stiff gears issue ever since I bought the car, but after a complete new clutch overall last week which included a new DMF and new modified clutch arm together with the gearbox oil change the car is now perfect. The gearbox oil was replaced with G052 532 A2 Audi approved oil which according to my local Indy specialist is the standard oil used by Audi in all manual boxes.


All I am saying here is try the cheaper option by changing the gearbox oil, using a thinner grade in my opinion may help but going away from the Audi standard grade oil may be asking for other problems.

If this does not work and you love your car then the only other option is to have the lot replaced like I have done.

It's the expensive option but all I can say is the car is a different animal, much smoother gear changes and drives completely different, makes the car a pleasure to drive again so again in my opinion well worth the money spent.
 
Good advise there Paul-psa, I will be trying the oil change first it will be Audi approved but it's the lighter oil than they put in the box as standard and a few people on here have said it cured the problem so fingers crossed it will cure mine. I will be sure to let you all know the outcome of this if it worked or not.
 
paul-psa said:
My 2008 B8 2.0 TDI S LINE with 49,000 on clock had stiff gears , 1st to 2nd was terrible & gear change got worse as car warmed up!! just had it at my local indy garage who stripped off gearbox to investigate. Result: New clutch, dmf, modified clutch arm & gearbox oil change cost £1,4038 inc VAT!!. Yeah a lot of money but now drives like new.
Click to expand...

would have been interesting to know if it was just the oil.Was there any damage to the clutch etc?
 
SI-W85 said:
Yeah just had a read, there are two oil weights you can use for the B8 2.0tdi but when I rang audi myself and told him the issue I'm have and gave him my chassis number he only can back with one grade of oil that is why I went to another garage who we use for all our company cars & vans they are vag specialists and the new lad there happened to work for audi before and he knew the issues with the notchy gears also the lighter oil that I need, so as my car is due an oil change I've asked for the gearbox to be done at same time, I'm hoping this cures it.
Click to expand...


Hi there, are you talking about the place on Manchester road? I enquired there about them changing my oil and they more or less said it couldn't be done, sealed for life etc
 
Are you from Huddersfield? If so I'm going to peter ellams near halfords the are audi specialists peter himself used to work for Audi as did a few of his lads and they say it can be done as they know about the issue one lad even said they are notchy from new and he knew exactly what the lighter oil was. Are you talking about the garage next to the hand car wash???
 
SI-W85 said:
Are you from Huddersfield? If so I'm going to peter ellams near halfords the are audi specialists peter himself used to work for Audi as did a few of his lads and they say it can be done as they know about the issue one lad even said they are notchy from new and he knew exactly what the lighter oil was. Are you talking about the garage next to the hand car wash???
Click to expand...


Yep, Salendine Nook. Interesting you mention that garage, I knew there was a garage there but not that it was a VAG specialist, may give them some thought next time I require work. How do you find them, and what are prices like? How much for the gearbox oil change?
I always use the one next to the hand car wash for my odd jobs as I find them quite cheap. Although for service and MOT I always use Ashbrow garage, they are an Audi specialist as well, I take it there as I have done for 3 MOTs now and I haven't even had so much as an advisory, so I have built trust with them that they won't just look for work.
 
Oh your close then I'm in Marsden, I find them really good as I said they do all our company vehicles and there prices are very good, I'm not sure on a price for the oil change I didn't ask as I know they look after me, as for the garage next to the car wash I've heard mixed things about them I tried them once and got a really high quote for a clutch change on a tdi golf so I never went back. Ashbrow are good sales but not confident about the mechanic skills as my car went to them for squeeling rear brake infact it went 3 times and they couldn't find a fault until the 4th go at it which revealed the pads were sticking in the sliders and as it happens they started doing it again yesterday so it isn't going back to them. Here is the address for PETER ELLAMUNIT 28 Ringway Industrial Estate,
Beck road,
Huddersfield
HD1 5DG
 
Well I had it in for gearbox oil & engine oil change yesterday and I am very pleased with the outcome as when I set off this morning the gear change was spot 1st & 2nd gear was fine they weren't notchy at all :) the oil was £20 a litre and it took 4.2 litres, however Audi didn't know what oil it was so the garage I took it to had to do some digging but got it in the end, the oil bottle I have got doesn't have any description of the grade of oil but I will add a couple of pics when I get home as I am now sat at Awsome GTI having coilovers fitted :):):)
 
Sorry but this is all the bottle has on it hopefully the invoice will say what it is when it comes in the post.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    95.5 KB · Views: 3,164
  • Like
Reactions: Meemo
It's as it says on the label G 052 171 A2.

Re-search this and this is what you will find:

A Special low Viscosity gear oil for VW, AUDI, SEAT manual Transmission 5 speed and 6.
VAG G052 171 A2.

Synthetic, fuel-economy manual transmission fluid offering increased gearbox efficiency in
passenger cars due to low viscosity level. Reduces fuel consumption and offers best properties
at low temperature. Suitable as fill for life fluid according to manufacturer.

Interesting choice but why do Audi still recommend using G052 532 A2?? and put this in as standard from new?

Anyway beats me?,

I hope all's well for you and you don't have any gearbox wear issues.
 
Yeah me too but its specced for the box so hopefully all will be well cheers, anyway it's stopped the notchy gear changes so I'm happy. I did wonder if that number meant anything but haven't had the time to look it up, so there you go everyone who was wondering its worked for me and there's the spec of oil for you all...
 
mines the same,how much oil is needed,and is there any special way to drain to make sure its all 100% out?filling it will be easy i hope and any ideas how much is needed?
 
I didn't do it myself I took it to a garage but I would go for a nice long drive to get the oil warm then drain. It took 4.2litres. I think the filling will be hard unless you have a gear oil pump of some sort...
 
Guys, Fuchs Titan Sintofluid SAE 75W - 80 is recommended specification for VW TL 521 71. This specification is for the lighter weight gearbox oil, part number G 052 171 A1 as noted above. The standard gearbox oil (part number G 052 532 A2) is a 75W - 90 oil. Opie oils sell it (although it's cheaper on Ebay).
 
  • Like
Reactions: SI-W85
audi upgrades
Ok but the part number you have just given is different the one I used is G 052 171 A2 or is it still the same stuff???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

hidnmine
Manual gearbox stiff
Replies
9
Views
2K
A4B82.0tfsi-12
A
J
Gear oil, 2.0 tdi quattro manual
Replies
8
Views
7K
jhonness
J
Longstride83
Clunky gear change when cold
Replies
3
Views
3K
nick78
N
S
S4 B8 hesitant gear changes when hooned
Replies
2
Views
642
sean pagett
S
S
A4 2.0 TDI S Line Cabriolet
Replies
0
Views
1K
Simon1
S
Top
Back