changing gears when car starts from cold

[eluminati]

Hi guys,

just a quick basic question. is it normal for the gear change to be stiff when i drive the car from cold in the morning?!? especially switching from 1st to 2nd gear!! If this isn't normal, then what d'u think might be the issue?!?

If someone knows what the issue might be, or has experienced similar problems, please let me know, as im kinda concerned by this now.

thank you.

[Crasher]

That sounds like a 1.6 engined A3. These have the 02K (usually a DUU code) box and these are an evolution of the old (introduced in Febuary1974, yes 1974!) 020 box. Since day one these have suffered from poor second gear synchromesh and the problem is exacerbated by cold thick oil. I find that changing to a special oil called Red Line MTL (a 75w/80) can significantly improve the cold change and carrying on forcing the box into gear will rapidly wear the second gear synchromesh cone to the point it will start to crunch into gear. The other problem with the 02K box is it’s complete and utter rubbish build quality. You only have to Goggle the box code and vehicle make (for example DUU+VW, yes I know the car is an Audi, for around 75,000 hits on that today) and you will see the extent of the problem. I would recommend that you consider having the box removed and rebuilt with a new second gear syncro cone, bearings, gaskets and seals as required but most importantly of all, the differential, rivet to bolt conversion, repair kit as this SHOULD (the bolts still occasionally fail) prevent the catastrophic failure so prevalent on these boxes and save you enormous trauma/cost WHEN it does eventually explode as failure often completely writes the box off and can cover the clutch in oil.

[eluminati]

Thanks for the reply mate. The ironic thing is, the car's been replaced with a brand new gear box, just 2000miles before i bought the car recently. And sicne then ive only covered 2500miles. Also my A3 is a 1.8, not 1.6!!

Anyway what your saying makes sense, cos' i also assumed that it might be the oil. But im hoping there's another solution than a complete gear box replacement!?!?!

[Crasher]

The 1.8 20v uses the 02J box and these are much more reliable with excellent shift quality. There are three possibilities in my view, the linkage needs adjusting, the clutch is dragging and they used the wrong grade of gearbox oil when the new box was fitted.

[eluminati]

yeh i just checked the gear box invoice and the gear box part number starts with; O2J. So its probably a linkage/clutch issue. But im hoping its just the gear box oil!!

Anyway thanx for ur help mate. If anything else pop in mind pls let me know. cheers.

[SimonPopp]

Hi,
My 1.8T has a gear box that's stiff into second like yours, worse in the morning but still noticable when warm. I just assumed it's the clutch as my biting point is right near the bottom of the travel and I assume by what I have read on here that it's normally near the top.
Is your biting point low like mine?

No help I know.

Simon

[eluminati]

Yeh come to think of it, my biting point is kind of near the bottom too. Similar to a diesel clutch. But dont see why that'd affect the 2nd gear only!?! How long hav u had this issue for?? Im just scared im slowly wearing out my gear box :-/

If you get it checkd or find out what the exact issue might be, please let me know...

thanx mate

[1staudiA3]

hi there i have the same problem on my A3 1.8T but my biting point is more towards the top. I have taken it to a local garage and was advised its usual for this to happen, however i have noticed that my clutch is slipping, not all the times but is still slipping

if anyone kns how to resolve this please advice

I know this is no help SORRY

[Crasher]

If it is biting high and slipping, you need a new clutch and I recommend a DMF as well, in fact they usually come that way now from LUK and are a reasonably priced compared to the £600 odd asked by VW.

[SimonPopp]

Spoke to a few people who have audi's and golfs and they all say 1st to second is a bit tight.
Looks like we are going to have to live with it (or get an auto)!