Golf Estate Mk6 1.6 TDI. 108000 mILES.Gearbox Whine

[cabledeck]

Hi Folks
Had a niggling whine coming from front of vehicle for a few weeks now. Attempts by garage at diagnosing were unsuccesful because the noise was not loud enough. Now it is and has been diagnosed as coming from the gearbox rather than ,as first thought being the start of a front wheelbearing failing. The noise appears to whine in time with the wheels turning and dissapears when the clutch is depressed. The gearbox works fine with no crunching or lumpy gear selection. I suspect a bearing giving up, probabley around the crownwheel / pinion area but I am not a gearbox expert. To avoid further problems I have stopped driving vehicle until it is sorted. With the information given can anyone give an educated idea as to a probable cause. Thankyou.

[-M-]

You would have to get the gearbox removed and check the clutch 1st as it could be a clutch release bearing based on no noise when operating the clutch - otherwise a stripdown of the gearbox would be needed to inspected the various bearings and overhaul the 'box if needed.

How old is your vehicle ? There still could be a goodwill contribution from VW available upto 5 years even though its past 100,000 miles.

[james_tiger_woo]

Is it anything like this:

Clattering / Grinding in 4th and 6th - Dodgy gearbox? (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?140283-Clattering-Grinding-in-4th-and-6th-Dodgy-gearbox)

Hopefully not. Goodwill was limited at 80k, never mind 100....

[cabledeck]

Thanks Tiger Woo. Fortunately mine is just a whine with no clunking or grinding issues. Subject to a stripdown of the gear box, and a definate diagnosis I have had a quote for..Gearbox removal and replace, £270 inc and £185 + vat for a full bearing replacement. The car is off the road at the moment to avoid any further damage and I am waiting for a response from the garage that I purchased it off. Watch this space.
Just been out to the car and started it up, it won't rev over 2500 revs, watch this space as well!!!

[james_tiger_woo]

It won't rev over 2500 when stationary unless you turn the traction control (ESP) off - Unless you've done that already :)

[cabledeck]

Thanks for that james-tiger-woo, I was not aware of that

[james_tiger_woo]

Took me year to even notice the 2500 limit and another year to realise how to bypass it.

[cabledeck]

Do you just press the ESP once or do you have to hold it in to bypass the "limiting function"

[james_tiger_woo]

Just press it in to turn it off - press and hold until the dash light starts flashing.

Just remember that turns off traction control. I can't be held responsible for any flaming balls of car in the countryside. ....

[cabledeck]

Thanks for that, I will try it out tomorrow

[cabledeck]

Tried the switch, no joy so took the car up the road and it revs well so I am happy. Cheers

[srad34]

Have you changed the gearbox oil? Its worth looking into as its only a few quid for the oil and could make a difference....

[cabledeck]

Thanks srad34. Retailer got in touch today. They have asked me to take the vehicle back on Monday for them to look at, they are certain that it is a wheelbearing, but they will fix the problem. I am happy to travel to Bury from Scarborough if it means getting the car fixed, and on a plus side I can give the car a good run to clear out the DPF. I am going to change the gear oil anyway, it was a job for the near future. Checked in the manual but cannot find the quantity or grade. I will have to have another look. Once again thanks to all who have contacted this thread. I will update when things are sorted.

[Keithuk]

Golf 1.6 TDI CR 2009-11 - CAYB engine code.

Manual gearbox oil: 75W Synthetic GL-4, 1.7 litres

There is a correct procedure for changing the gearbox oil you have to press and hold down the selector shaft before you drain, if you want these details?

You have made a few posts in here have you ever thought of adding your car spec into your signature it will save adding it in every post you make?

[Gerryf]

I'm quite surprised to learn it wasn't the clutch release bearing.

[cabledeck]

Thanks KeithUK and Gerryf . I would never have thought that was part of the procedure for changing the gearbox oil, I may ask the garage on Monday whilst they have the car.Regarding the release bearing, I will find out on Monday, who knows, but I am now using the car occasionally and my own thoughts are that it is a wheel bearing. I would prefer not to travel that far in the circumstances, but I must show willing at the offer of repair, a refusal may haunt me in the future.

[cabledeck]

I went to the garage and they diagnosed both front wheelbearings as being responsible for the noise. These were replaced the same day whilst I waited. The vehicle was taken for a test drive and guess what, the noise is still there. Noise MOST noticable when travelling at about 30mph although it can be heard all the time, and disappears when put into neutral. Gearbox oil level is fine. Gearbox man (on the phone) thinks it is most likely the "figure of eight bearing", a common fault on this gearbox.

[james_tiger_woo]

Odd - Did you ask them to replace your originals - or did they need doing anyway?

[cabledeck]

I was not charged for the bearings, one of the old ones required heat to remove off the shaft they were not replaced. Not sure how the diagnosis was carried out but apparently both were noisy, I went walkabout for a couple of hours. Arranging for a visit to a gearbox man in Bradford who is used by some local garages and gets the thumbs up. The retailer has agreed to go halves with the cost of repair which I think is fair of him. This saga is dragging on a bit because it involves a third party who is 100 or so miles away and I am sceptical about so called garage experts, having experienced negligent repairs. Here are a few... T reg golf TDI, Cambelt too tight and squealing... Fiat Scudo Panorama 140- brake fluid change front brakes not done. When asked why the reply was "I didn't think it needed doing. VW Caravelle 105 TDI-exchange power steering rack- Power steering pipes on rack not clamped resulting in torn gaiters on rack, that was after journey home having just picked it up.But Hey Ho by this time next week things should have moved on ----fingers crossed.

[james_tiger_woo]

Well, I hope it's resolved soon :)

[cabledeck]

Finally got the gearbox sorted out, the bearings were worn. My own gearbox has had a bearing and seal kit fitted and the difference is remarkable. Gearshift was always good but I no longer have the horrible whining noise, but there must have been a background noise as well as the whining because that noise is no longer there. I was wondering if the noise was that described by the main dealer mechanic as my cam belt being too tight. Anyway it's gone and I now have a different car (so to speak).