gear problems

**kid** · 22-09-2009,07:00 PM

Have A3 1.9td may 2003. On holiday in Italy. Parked car on steep hill with reverse engaged and left it a week. This morning gears are sticky, all hard to engage. No previous problems. HELP.

**Crasher** · 22-09-2009,08:44 PM

Sounds like a clutch fault, 6 speed I presume?

**kid** · 22-09-2009,09:03 PM

5 speed manual transmission. This is a sudden problem - the clutch and gears worked perfectly last time it was driven. Could leaving the car in reverse gear on a hill for a long period cause a problem?

**Crasher** · 22-09-2009,09:06 PM

I can't see leaving it in gear causing a problem; does the clutch fell OK now? Is the pedal returning properly and does the clutch feel the same as before?

**kid** · 23-09-2009,11:06 AM

The clutch does not feel that different - goes right to floor now - it seems easier than before. Took a drive again this morning. At first gear changes were smoothish on start up but quickly turned to stiffness and crunches - esp. in reverse. Only thing that was a problem recently was on the drive down from UK to Italy there was a steep hill that the overloaded car didnt make it up. But the car did drive ok after that. The problem started after parking on the hill for a week. The car drives but I need to force the gear changes. Is this a new clutch? How expensive would that be in uk -audi/non-audi? I need some guide to avoid being ripped off here. Thanks for speedy help.

**Crasher** · 23-09-2009,09:52 PM

It sounds like the clutch is not clearancing which could be the clutch itself, the master cylinder, slave cylinder or even a cracked release arm, it needs inspecting by someone who knows the cars. Does it select gears OK with the engine off and the clutch depressed?

**kid** · 24-09-2009,10:01 AM

gears select fine with engine off. Took it to a local garage today which does German cars and was told I need a new clutch. Was quoted 660 euros for a whole new clutch, ie 2 discs, pilot bearing and release bearing plus 20 percent vat. comes out at 420 euro for parts, plus 240 euro labour. Does that sound reasonable?

**kid** · 24-09-2009,11:43 AM

Told I need a new flywheel too. Total cost now 1500 euro for new clutch and flywheel and labout. Seems steep to me. How many hours labour would this take? I should only be charged for the labour for the flywheel replacement since the clutch has to come off anyway - but what would be fair labour?

**Crasher** · 24-09-2009,12:00 PM

It normally does mean a new flywheel and these are extremely expensive. PM me the cars UK reg and I will give you a list of the part numbers that may be required so you can check the local prices. The other worry is that it may still only be a master or slave cylinder failure which are done without removing the box but either of those would cause the pedal to feel odd and often stick down requiring the pedal to be manually lifted back up.