Golf MK4 TDi Gearbox Question

[Invader75]

Hi All,

5th gear has gone on my VW Golf Mk4 1.9 TDi Match (Engine Code: ATD. Gearbox code: EUH). Does anyone know if it's possible to get this repaired or is it wiser to buy one from a breakers? Failing that, it it time to say so long to the old girl!?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Cheers

[Invader75]

Anyone?

[Sam]

How old is the Golf?

How many miles has it covered?

Did 5th gear 'go' while you were driving or can you just not access it any more?

Can you access all other gears without any issues and/or noises?

If you have the tools/time/balls, you can take the cover off the end of the gearbox without removing it from the car which will enable you to visually inspect 5th gear and see what is going on - do remember it's full of oil and will, obviously, need to be drained first and then refilled/resealed after you've finished poking around.

Failing that, there are a few on eBay for around the £250 mark - if you need a car and it's worth more than £250 + fitting, it makes no sense to get rid of it unless there are other things wrong that you've not shared.

[Invader75]

Thanks for the reply.

53 plate.
180k
5th just went one day. Popped out whilst driving. You can put it into gear but it just makes a rather nasty grinding noise then pops out. Rest of the gears are fine, been driving it around for months like this.
I have balls but not the time or skills to go poking around.

A mechanic owes me some work and has offered to fit a replacement box for free. I was just wondering if it's something that can be fixed by a garage offering gearbox repair or are they normally not that good?

How old is the Golf?

How many miles has it covered?

Did 5th gear 'go' while you were driving or can you just not access it any more?

Can you access all other gears without any issues and/or noises?

If you have the tools/time/balls, you can take the cover off the end of the gearbox without removing it from the car which will enable you to visually inspect 5th gear and see what is going on - do remember it's full of oil and will, obviously, need to be drained first and then refilled/resealed after you've finished poking around.

Failing that, there are a few on eBay for around the £250 mark - if you need a car and it's worth more than £250 + fitting, it makes no sense to get rid of it unless there are other things wrong that you've not shared.

[Sam]

11 years old, 180k, it's not had a bad life at all. If the engine is sound and the rest of the car is fine, it makes sense to try and keep it going.

Chances are you've either got a worn/shattered gear or a rounded shaft.

If it's only a knackered gear, then it's a fairly simple job for a competent person.

If the shaft has rounded then the whole lot has to come out, a replacement shaft fitted and all the gears will need to be refitted/pressed. It may work out cheaper to get a replacement (hopefully one covered by a warranty).

A bad garage rarely stays in business but a gearbox or VAG specialist would by my preferred option if it were my money.

Get a few quotes from various places and see what they say. You've got a rough idea what's wrong with it.

[Invader75]

OK, sage advice. Cars in goon nick. No rust etc. Looked after.

Thanks a lot, really appreciate that.

11 years old, 180k, it's not had a bad life at all. If the engine is sound and the rest of the car is fine, it makes sense to try and keep it going.

Chances are you've either got a worn/shattered gear or a rounded shaft.

If it's only a knackered gear, then it's a fairly simple job for a competent person.

If the shaft has rounded then the whole lot has to come out, a replacement shaft fitted and all the gears will need to be refitted/pressed. It may work out cheaper to get a replacement (hopefully one covered by a warranty).

A bad garage rarely stays in business but a gearbox or VAG specialist would by my preferred option if it were my money.

Get a few quotes from various places and see what they say. You've got a rough idea what's wrong with it.

[Invader75]

Oooof! First quote back from recommended VAG transmission specialist: £650!

[Sam]

What work are they quoting you for?

Source a replacement and fit it or investigate the current one and repair it?

[Invader75]

To replace with an Audi gearbox that had been rebuilt or rebuild the one that's there. This was a recommended place that's repaired my brothers GB.

I've also been quoted £270 incl delivery for a GB from an Audi. Spoke to the seller (VAG Shack), he seemed to know his onions. Gave him engine code, gearbox code etc. It comes with a month guarantee but said they don't get any returns as they don't like to sell items that'll need to be sent back as it costs them, obviously. He's tested the car it would come from, driven it up through the gears etc. Said it's fine. Bit of a gamble but my local garage owes me a day or so work so they'd fit it for free.