Changed Gearbox Oil Now Crunch Into 2nd !

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quattrodave

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Changed the gearbox oil today on my 170 TDI fwd after 130k miles, maintenance really but hopefully to cure a notchy 1st-2nd gear change. I used 75 w90 fully synthetic box oil from eurocarparts with slick 50 additive which I've had good results on other cars. Went for a drive and the change up wasn't good !
Definite crunch when going up into 2nd that wasn't there before, all other gears fine though
Could the oil make that much of a difference ?
Anyone recommend an oil that would be better to put in or stick to genuine stuff ?
Thanks
 
That sounds promising !
What's special about that stuff, I thought the correct grade was 75w90 ?
Thanks
 
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Grades like engine oil etc can be chosen to suit certain situations.

A guy here had a similar problem a month or so ago, even put the oem VAG 75w 90 stuff in with no improvement , then the Fuchs 75w 80 went in and it improved.

A lower weight particularly helps poor cold shifting.

5 speeds seem to prefer 75w 90 and 6 speeds 75w 80.
 
The slick 50 dditive may be the cause of your problems. The synchromesh requires a certain amount of friction for the cones to work. It seems If you already had a synchro issue then it's possibly made it worse.

Karl
 
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Hmm, I wondered that as well after I'd put it in. I'll drop it back out next weekend and get the Fuchs oil in
 
Yes indeed too a Slick 50 and not enough coefficient grip to the syncros like some GL5's that are too slippery and are more suited to diffs.

Trouble is , is it going to coat the gearbox internals ?
 
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Gazwould said:
Yes indeed too a Slick 50 and not enough coefficient grip to the syncros like some GL5's that are too slippery and are more suited to diffs.

Trouble is , is it going to coat the gearbox internals ?
Click to expand...
I hope not although I suspect it might !
I'll drop the oil and find out I guess, will post the results
 
I recall you asking me for advice on what to use and what fluids to use.

Thou I suspect you have used the TripleQX or Valvoline product from euro car parts. Which in most cases is fine for your "average" range of vehicle thou for ours it does no good.

And adding a additive is completely the wrong way to go. These boxes dont take well to additives especially when the gearbox is linked with the front/centre diff on quattros.
 
Giosabcsl said:
I recall you asking me for advice on what to use and what fluids to use.

Thou I suspect you have used the TripleQX or Valvoline product from euro car parts. Which in most cases is fine for your "average" range of vehicle thou for ours it does no good.

And adding a additive is completely the wrong way to go. These boxes dont take well to additives especially when the gearbox is linked with the front/centre diff on quattros.
Click to expand...

Yes I used the Triple QX oil, I'd had great sucess with the slick 50 in mk2 Golf GTI's 'back in the day', I guess I've learnt the hard way that it's no good in 'our' 'boxes !
Hopefully changing it over won't have caused any issues
 
Quattrodave - How did this resolve ? Did you use the Fuchs in the end ?

Be great to hear how it went, if there was improvement / cure....

Cheers, Gary
 
Cant advise which oil (I didt change it) but can confirm oil change can make a difference. Mine used to be a horrible change from 1st to 2nd when cold. Had oil changed and never looked back, change is smooth as....

The only thing I know was the vag specialist that did it said it was a genuine audi/vw upgraded spec oil.

EDIT: mine is only the 2wd btw
 
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Just looked it up on the invoice. Transmission oil they put in mine was part number G 052 532 A2
 
Depending on the mileage on the box itself I can advise accordingly.

But as said above oil change definitely does make an improvement. Just make sure when or if you doing it yourself when refilling the box put the plug back in drive the vehicle for a short distance 2 miles if that unless you have access to a ramp and put the vehicle in first and let the wheels move then turn everything off and then pull out the filler plug and add more.

You can use oem fluid as mentioned as for the part number I dont think its correct or they made a misprint. The one I have on record is G 055 532 A2 But its not cheap. A quick call to Audi can clarify. If OEM is your choice.

About 18-20 quid a litre and will need 4 bottles.
 
Great, thanks for the feedback on yours (presume 6 speeder ? ) Good to know that a simple change of oil has improved things.

Lifetime service on the gear oil can't be a good thing ?
 
And thanks Giosabcsi , 'box is a 6 speed quattro on 107K, it just need to be treated carefully 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd , all other upshifts ok as are down shifts. Improves as car warms up, but not perfect. Its as if you can almost feel the syncro rings lazily engaging as you shift. Just another job to sort out on the list !!!
 
I think I mentioned this previously else were on the forum discussing that the "Lifetime service" that everyone has taking upon and blaming Audi.

Ye there is a misconception about the term lifetime service.

So just to clarify lifetime service is actually stated in the small print on the sale of purchase that that Lifetime service is valid for or during the period of the manufactures warranty.

So what they saying is the gearbox oil or fluid will not be changed or serviced during the period of the warranty. But at any point after that you welcome to get your gearbox fluid changed for the sum of £150-200. I think it was last time I checked.
 
You sure there isnt an underlying issue with the box. I mean no one wants to think worst case. As I know gear oil change is the obvious first option.

But have you considered having your engine/gearbox mounts checked out. As well as do you still have your original clutch.
 
Thank you for the clarification :icon thumright:

Yeah, the clutch, worn syncros etc are all culprits under suspicion to be investigated, I'm hoping a gearbox oil change improves matters, fingers crossed !

Will swop the gearbox oil and report back........
 
Yeah mine 6 speed but not sure if box is same as previously mentioned mine is only poxy 2wd
 
I also changed my gear oil recently and to the fuchs which opie oils recommended to me. Definite improvement and warms up quicker. Still get the occasional change from neutral to first which struggles to move from neutral and needs a second attempt , but before it was crashy all the way to third. 2wd and 6 speed manual BTW, 50k miles.
 
gary_tfsi_quattro said:
And thanks Giosabcsi , 'box is a 6 speed quattro on 107K, it just need to be treated carefully 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd , all other upshifts ok as are down shifts. Improves as car warms up, but not perfect. Its as if you can almost feel the syncro rings lazily engaging as you shift. Just another job to sort out on the list !!!
Click to expand...

I meant to comment on this do you find the gears are just hard to shift? I understand they get better when the oil is warmed up but I mean do you find it doesn't go into gear, is force needed, is it clunky?
 
I also changed gearbox oil when I replaced the clutch/flywheel about 2 years ago, and now its impossible to shift from 2nd to 3rd under full power without crunching.

I change to some Motul oil - thought it would be better. Maybe a bad choice?
 
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Giosabcsl said:
Depending on the mileage on the box itself I can advise accordingly.

But as said above oil change definitely does make an improvement. Just make sure when or if you doing it yourself when refilling the box put the plug back in drive the vehicle for a short distance 2 miles if that unless you have access to a ramp and put the vehicle in first and let the wheels move then turn everything off and then pull out the filler plug and add more.

You can use oem fluid as mentioned as for the part number I dont think its correct or they made a misprint. The one I have on record is G 055 532 A2 But its not cheap. A quick call to Audi can clarify. If OEM is your choice.

About 18-20 quid a litre and will need 4 bottles.
Click to expand...

G 052 532 A2 seems to exist but maybe its different for 2wd's
http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/genuine-part-transmoil_3607736.html
 
Giosabcsl said:
It all depends on which motul oil you choose as there is many variants.
Click to expand...

Have no idea whats in there actually, the workshop that replaced the oil are audi specialists, I just assumed they chosed the right kind...
 
Sounds like the oil is too slippery and a certain amount of coefficient is needed to grip the syncros .
 
Giosabcsl said:
I meant to comment on this do you find the gears are just hard to shift? I understand they get better when the oil is warmed up but I mean do you find it doesn't go into gear, is force needed, is it clunky?
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll try to provide as much detail and info as poss:

I'm aware these arent the slickest of shifts, so I dont expect a honda-esque gear shift, I'll accept they have a notchy feel, but would just like to improve the situation and get as good as I can really. Its taking the shine off the driving experience a bit at the moment......

Shift issue is noticed when changing up the 'box, from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. shifts from 3rd to 4th etc ok. Down shifting doesn't really show the problem, a little baulky maybe, but acceptable.

From cold, for just the few initial shifts, everything seems fine, then the problem starts to show up quite quickly then slowly improves, to a point, as everything warms up.

The shift just feels kinda lazy, nowhere near as bad as, but almost to the point of how it feels when having to change with a clutch not disengaging through failed cable or hydraulic cylinder fault

It doesnt feel like the lever issue, it will go into gear just needs a slow firm shift to get the best from it, I feel if I rammed it in, they would crunch. It is almost as if you can feel the syncro hub being lazy or not breaking on the gear hub sufficiently before the gear engages. Are these 6 speed gearboxes on the quattro known to have a syncro wear issues ?

It almost seems like I've answered my own problem, but would value any input or thoughts.

I've decided to change the oil as a cost effective way forward, but understand it may just improve things a little but without excessive cost.

Thanks in advance :thumbs up:
 
I understand what you explaining. I wouldn't say the syncros are renowned to go but there are a few cases of it happening. The gearboxes are pretty strong in general.

I forgot to add in the earlier post do you know roughly were your clutch bite point is.
 
Clutch bite point is about 70% up ( 0 being fully depressed - 100 foot off the pedal. )
If it helps / means anything , there is no prob engaging 1st from stationary, doesn't crunch or anything .

Just seems when moving.
 
gary_tfsi_quattro said:
Clutch bite point is about 70% up ( 0 being fully depressed - 100 foot off the pedal. )
If it helps / means anything , there is no prob engaging 1st from stationary, doesn't crunch or anything .

Just seems when moving.
Click to expand...
You've probably already noticed this post by CupraJake - but http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/my-a4-avant-quattro.235958/page-2#post-2368274. I'm hoping this will get rid of my final notchiness 1st & 2nd gear change (gear oil did help on mine, but didn't eliminate the problem)
 
I actually pm'd him the same info ;)
 
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Thanks for the PM Jake and heads up Doc !
A job for the weekend, if not before if I get a bit of time - going to do both and then report back. Which gear oil did you both use when you changed yours out ? Have seen positive reports on the Fuchs Titan Sintofluid 75W/80 , I've seen it suggested that the 6 speed boxes prefer the slightly lower viscosity?
 
gary_tfsi_quattro said:
Thanks for the PM Jake and heads up Doc !
A job for the weekend, if not before if I get a bit of time - going to do both and then report back. Which gear oil did you both use when you changed yours out ? Have seen positive reports on the Fuchs Titan Sintofluid 75W/80 , I've seen it suggested that the 6 speed boxes prefer the slightly lower viscosity?
Click to expand...

I emailed Opie Oils to ask, they recommended the Fuchs Titan Sintofluid 75w-80 here http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-981-fuc...w-80-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluid.aspx - I needed 3 litres in mine.

They have a forums discount of around 10% I think (they are on the group buy sub-forum), and had a recent offer for 15%, which if you phone up politely they may still honour!
 
I always thought it was 75w/90 GL4.

As for the Voucher code try the word "deal" it should be still valid for 15% discount.

If 75w80 does work I would be keen to hear feed back on this.
 
Giosabcsl said:
I always thought it was 75w/90 GL4.

As for the Voucher code try the word "deal" it should be still valid for 15% discount.

If 75w80 does work I would be keen to hear feed back on this.
Click to expand...

I changed mine to 75w80 a few months back and it improved on mine, completely got rid of the resistance into 3rd gear and improved 1st and 2nd, but didn't 100% cure 1st and 2nd. I'm hoping cuprajakes find and fix on his thread about the gear linkage should help 1st and 2nd though... (2.0T 6MT)
 
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