Newbie- basic Q's on me new motor!

[Zoot]

I recently heard a similar problem from a friend in his Golf 7. I don't have the details but as I recall, solution was readjustment of the shifter linkage.

Thanks for the swift reply serdar. I read something similar on general www info/ googled the symptoms.

Concerning having only had the car 2 weeks. I've now got to hope my 3-month warranty will help here, rather than the battery glitch (seems not to have reoccurred bar that once in 2 weeks: I wiggled & tapped down the battery terminals, as suggested by someone.. maybe this helped).

Thanks, Zoot

 

[Zoot]

My initial thought is that the component that allows you to push down and select reverse was stuck so as you went for first it was sliding across to reverse. It then released.
The smell could be clutch, however I may have missed what engine you have but if its diesel it could also be the DPF regenerating which gives a burning like smell.

Do you have a local garage you trust just to give the whole car a once over?

Hi Dan, sorry I missed your reply innitially/ just seen it.

2.0 TDI (150hp version) Leon FR, 2014.

Thing is it had an MOT 2 weeks ago, as part of the sale, so I assume it had a fairly thouragh once-over then.

Thanks, Zoot

 

[DanMCGARRETT]

Hi Dan, sorry I missed your reply innitially/ just seen it.

2.0 TDI (150hp version) Leon FR, 2014.

Thing is it had an MOT 2 weeks ago, as part of the sale, so I assume it had a fairly thouragh once-over then.

Thanks, Zoot

So yeah the smell could have been the DPF, it absolutely stinks - did you notice if the revs were slightly higher than usual or if the performance was slightly less as those are good indicators that that the DPF is regenerating.

Unfortunately with MOTS it is a snapshot of the car for that day and it checks that the car is safe to drive it doesn't check if the clutch for example is on its way out.

What is the gearbox like going through the gears and what is the clutch like on takeoff?

 

[Zoot]

So yeah the smell could have been the DPF, it absolutely stinks - did you notice if the revs were slightly higher than usual or if the performance was slightly less as those are good indicators that that the DPF is regenerating.

Unfortunately with MOTS it is a snapshot of the car for that day and it checks that the car is safe to drive it doesn't check if the clutch for example is on its way out.

What is the gearbox like going through the gears and what is the clutch like on takeoff?

No I didn't notice the revs higher. I only went a yard or so in reverse, each of the 3x times I was trying for 1st.

Once it behaved again, the smell then occured but subsided after 2 miles or so, & also the car drove home fine. And I didn't notice any issues with the gears. I went through all on the way home. Used reverse ok into my drive.

Understand about the MOT being a 'snapshot'. I've whipped out my 3-month warranty details (panicking) & reassuringly it states:

"
Drive away with complete peace of mind.

We pride ourselves on providing mechanically sound and robust products that have been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's service schedule wherever possible. That said, as cars are after all mechanical, we offer a standard, totally free 3 month parts and labour warranty on all vehicles. "

Which is reassuring.

Thanks, Zoot

 

[SuperV8]

I have removed my rear seats completely (fitted a rear roll cage) so yes you can take the upright seats part out but I seem to recall i had to take out the bottom part first to get the bolts holding the uprights in place.

Agreed, you need to remove the centre seat belt to remove the seat backrest, and to do this you need to remove the seat base.

 

[DanMCGARRETT]

No I didn't notice the revs higher. I only went a yard or so in reverse, each of the 3x times I was trying for 1st.

Once it behaved again, the smell then occured but subsided after 2 miles or so, & also the car drove home fine. And I didn't notice any issues with the gears. I went through all on the way home. Used reverse ok into my drive.

Understand about the MOT being a 'snapshot'. I've whipped out my 3-month warranty details (panicking) & reassuringly it states:

"
Drive away with complete peace of mind.

We pride ourselves on providing mechanically sound and robust products that have been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's service schedule wherever possible. That said, as cars are after all mechanical, we offer a standard, totally free 3 month parts and labour warranty on all vehicles. "

Which is reassuring. Thing is I'm 90m away.

Thanks, Zoot

If you do go down the warranty route it might be worth giving the garage a call first to see if they can pick it up using a recovery agent, the only down side then is getting there to pick it back up.

Hopefully it was just a one off.

 

[DanMCGARRETT]

Was the warranty a dealership one or is it a 3rd party one such as warranty wise? It should say on the paperwork for the warranty how to get issues checked.

I would give them a call first and find out your options with them. I would also get them to email you a copy of any advice they give you.

 

[SuperV8]

How many miles has the car done?
To enter reverse you need to depress the gear lever down - does yours depress nicely/smoothly/springly? and pop back up snappily?
Just checked mine and I have to depress it nearly an inch in old money. If yours doesn't feel springy I would spray some white grease on the lever - easy to access by gently leavoring up the gaiter.

Could it be possible in your pannick you reved/slipped the clutch a bit too much - which is what you smelt?
Test your clutch by accelerating (foot to the floor) in 5th & 6th on a dual carriageway - your engine revs and vehicle speed should increase together - if your engine revs pick up more than your speed then your clutch is slipping.

 

[Zoot]

@DanMCGARRETT just sent you a pm.

Thx

 

[Zoot]

How many miles has the car done?
To enter reverse you need to depress the gear lever down - does yours depress nicely/smoothly/springly? and pop back up snappily?
Just checked mine and I have to depress it nearly an inch in old money. If yours doesn't feel springy I would spray some white grease on the lever - easy to access by gently leavoring up the gaiter.

View attachment 51820

Could it be possible in your pannick you reved/slipped the clutch a bit too much - which is what you smelt?
Test your clutch by accelerating (foot to the floor) in 5th & 6th on a dual carriageway - your engine revs and vehicle speed should increase todather - if your engine revs pick up more than your speed then your clutch is slipping.

Hi SuperV8,

66k (fwiw new clutch done at 47k).

No chance I was an idiot: I'm used to this gearstick config, with my old golf4. You need to push it down by no small margin & push over, both in just the same way. So I'm very used to it.

No it -definitely- went into reverse, having selected the 1st gear position. Absolutely no doubt. The strong burnt oily smell indicative of something amiss too.

The gearstick does feel a bit looser/ freer than my golf, I'm wondering if this signifies something needs adjusting here.

Thanks, Zoot

 

[DanMCGARRETT]

Have a look at this forum topic Zoot, it is similiar.

Involuntary Reverse Gear Selection

Hi,has anyone experienced this and what was the resolution i.e. stopping in a high gear then trying to select first to move forward but finding reverse instead, bringing lever out of reverse trying first again only to find reverse again,eventually finding 1st. It`s very disconcerting when it...

www.seatcupra.net

 

[Zoot]

Have a look at this forum topic Zoot, it is similiar.

Involuntary Reverse Gear Selection

Hi,has anyone experienced this and what was the resolution i.e. stopping in a high gear then trying to select first to move forward but finding reverse instead, bringing lever out of reverse trying first again only to find reverse again,eventually finding 1st. It`s very disconcerting when it...

www.seatcupra.net

Hi DanM, thanks indeed for that link.

So on the face of it, seems it might either be a tweak of the gear linkages needed, or a problem in the gearbox.

Strewth: I hope to goodness it's not the latter as this is far more serious, & the bad burn smell was very concerning.

I'll get it to the dealers & provide an update.

Thanks, Zoot