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Dalbir
19-01-2011, 04:36 PM
Hi I am new to this forum (I think) but was wondering if anyone can offer me any advise on how to proceed with a problem I
have with the gearbox on my 2002 Audi A4 (B6) 1.9Tdi 5 speed (2 wheel drive, gearbox code is FEC). I bought the car from a
private seller who had the car from new with a genuine 76,000miles with all service history which I have verified with Audi.
It be my bad luck but I only bought the car less than 2 weeks ago and the problem manifested itself 2 days later without any
abuse to the car whatsoever.
Basically I get a crunch whenever I go into 3rd gear (hot or cold gearbox). Various post recommended a gearbox oil change to
Redline MTL 70/80 which I did last weekend (about 200miles ago). Cold shifting stiffness of gears have slightly improved
however the crunch into 3rd gear is still there and doesn't appear to have improved at all. Apart from this problem the
gearbox/clutch is in perfect working order.
The oil did have some brass/copper looking shavings in it so I assume the syncros have been wearing (not sure how much is
normal) however there was no broken bits of metal in the old nor attached to the magnetic drain plug.
Questions do I have any other options here apart from
1. Getting the 3rd gear syncro fixed on my box.
2. Get a 2nd hand FEC gearbox fitted. (no guarantee it doesn't have the same problem)
3. Try another oil, clutching straws here yes I know.
4. Will it go away when the weather warms up (its been under 10deg C since I've had the car)?
Will a 5speed box out of a 2002 Passat (AWX engine) fit my Audi or will only an Audi FEC box fit my car?
Also grateful to know if anyone else has the same problem and how long they have been living with it

Any advice recommendations or even sympathy gratefully received
Dal:1zhelp::1zhelp::1zhelp:

OVI82
19-01-2011, 05:27 PM
I've had the same problem but with second gear for almost 1 year.it is starting to get worse.mine is a 1.9 b7.it only does it in the winter months.on a warm day I have no problem whatsoever.i would wait untill the weather gets warmer and see if that makes any diffrence.I was gonna try and change the oil myself in the next few weeks.I don't think it's the gearbox on mine.I've had it for 3 years and it's now covered 65.000 miles with no major problems.wait for the warmer days to come and take it from there.:beerchug:

Dalbir
01-02-2011, 04:52 PM
Hi thanks for the reply. Applogies for the late reply been hunting for a 2nd hand gearbox

i was wondering if anyone can assist me i've been looking around for a 2nd hang gearbox and have found one that is out of a 2003 passat b6 (awx engine with 5 speed gearbox same as mine) however the gearbox code is fhn on the passat whereas my gearbox code is fec

does anyone have any experience of fitting this box into a b6 audi a4 the same as mine. The guys at the breakers yard said that it was a 100% fit and required no transfer of parts from my old box.

Could anyone shed some light on this .

Thanks in advance for any advise,

dal

mikeybutch
01-02-2011, 09:25 PM
Just wondering if you have compared the cost of a recon of your box with s/hand box?Had this on a Subaru once and decided on a guaranteed rebuild rather than risk s/hand cos the car was worthit and you cant roadtest a s/hand box

Dalbir
02-02-2011, 11:10 AM
HI A RECONDITIONED BOX COST ABOUT £1000+VAT FITTED WHEREAS A 2ND BOX IS ABOUT £300 FITTED.

I MEANT TO SAY THAT THE BOX I FOUND IS FROM A B5.5 PASSAT B5.5 THAT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS MINE AND IS ALSO FWD.

PLEASE PLEASE IF ANYONE CAN SHED ANY LIGHT IN THIS, I DONT WANT TO PURCHASE A BOX THAT DOESN'T FIT. ITS 100s OF MILES AWAY

THANKS VERY MUCH DAL

mikeybutch
03-02-2011, 10:06 PM
If you can get it fitted so you can test that its 100% and some guarantee £300 seems better value.Depends on whether you can rely on them cos it seems that you need a specialist who knows the specs.Who is doing the fitting ?

Dalbir
03-02-2011, 11:15 PM
Hi im having the box fitted by thames valley garage in slough £175cash i supply the box and new oil.

I dont think that the vw passat gearbox (fhn) will fit the a4 as i've been told by audi that the fhn is also fitted to the audi a6 with the awx engine and has a different part number and price thanks for your replys anyways looks like i will have to wait for a decent fec gearbox to turn up.


Dal

mikeybutch
04-02-2011, 08:45 PM
Sorry to hear that .Are you sure about the recon price cos it must be mostly labour?Our Subaru Legacy was a bigger job being 4wd but was only about half that quote