View Full Version : V5 Gear Selection
One more question....
Have had my 150bhp V5 for 3 weeks now. I am noticing that it does not feel particularly happy going into first gear from neutral.
ie. coming to halt in a higher gear with clutch in, trying to then go straight to first is almost impossible. It seems to need to go into second then it will go into first OK.
Anyone else with a V5 (or any of the range) have a similar gearbox ?
I have questioned the dealer about this and they are insistant that it is a characteristic of the VW'esque transmission. I am not totally convinced myself. A mate has a Passat 1.8T and this can be 'stiff' when fist cold but no problem once warm. Temperature bears no difference on the problem.
The other thing that springs to mind is that the car has had a full replacement SEAT fitted engine as the last owner drove through a flood and treated the previous unit to a drink....whilst this is good news for me, having a almost spanking new lump in the car, I am starting to wonder if the two are related ??
Any thoughts ?
Thanks,
Stuart.
I've got a Leon with a five speed gearbox and would say (to put it mildly) can be a bit awkward sometimes. It's certainly not a gearbox you would want to rush.
As for the 1st gear problem I can sort of see what you are getting at as I tend to use 2nd gear most of the time unless the car is completely standing still! Most other cars I've driven didn't mind going into 1st no matter what speed (slow speed that is) your doing but the VW box does seem to be more picky about it. I've also driven a fairly recent Ibiza which didn't suffer from this problem.
If your concerned about it as it might actually be a fault I would pester the dealer to at least have a look at it and check all the linkages etc. I think it's the least they could do. Sorry I can't be anymore help but I can't really make more judgement on it without driving it really.
I find the same problem every so often, normally after coming off the motorway, but on the whole the 5 speed box is alot better in this respect than the 6 speed version.
As for the Passat.... The passat, like the Audi A4 and A6 has its engine mounted long ways, unusual for a FWD, and hence the gear change will be different as the gearbox is located differently
Seems that the SEAT gearbox is slightly quirky from what you guys say.
I do intend to have the problem looked at asap however. I know some gearbox's do not like going into first when you are still moving which is fair enough. But this one just will not go into first from neutral whatsover.
I'm talking about being sat in traffic on tickover, in neutral, clutch out. Depress clutch fully - no chance of getting into first. (any move force and I feel the gearstick will bend). I have to go into second and perform a quick shift to get it into first which results in a loud clunk. And that is not succesful every attempt.
Will let you know - thanks for your help.
Stuart.
Stuart,
I also have the problem at stand still, i.e, come off M'way, stop at end of slip and can only select 1st after puttingit in 2nd.....
How many miles has the car done?? If its done over 60k was the clutch changed when the engine was replaced? Most garages will change the clutch if the engine is out, even at 40K as its such a big job, it might just be that the clutch is wearing, or, that the cable linkage needs re-adjusting...
...that last point reminds me of a Toledo V5 170 that I had for 24hrs a few months back with just 1000 miles on the clock, reverse hear was nea imposible to select without the car moving forward, and really clunked in, I think it was the cable adjustment..
Neil,
The car has done 57K. I don't know if the clutch has been replaced with the engine. I will be checking this out as soon as possible.
It certainly doesn't seem or feel right to me. You may be correct that the linkages need re-adjusting, especially where the new engine has been fitted. I can't imagine that it is normal for the Toledo / Bora gearbox, as SEAT and VW would never sell any cars after a test drive.
Just need to wait for 3 weeks before I can get a slot at the workshop....
VW gearbox characteristic my ar*e !
Worked out the reason for not being able to select first gear (and notchy to second) was that the gear lever did not have enough travel towards the passenger side in neutral.
So with half an hours thought (plus a piece of string tied to the gear lever running round to the engine bay), a quick adjustment to the linkage with a 13mm spanner now gives smooth selection of all gears in all situations.
Just goes to prove, if you want a job done........
Gearbox is almost as good as my old Audi now, but then that would be a tall order !