14 replies to this topic

[thebullet]

So I have been told, that crunching gears like mine going into 2nd or from 4th to 3rd is the syncros.

But what I can't understand is how after about 2 - 5 minutes of driving depending on how cold it is outside the crunching will stop however fast I put it into gear.

Could this be just the cold or the fact that the syncros work better when warm? can't see it myself.

Must just be that my oil is over a year old and the cold weather? possibly 10w40 being wrong too.

Just wondered on what people thought about this?

[bmcecosse]

Likely to be clutch drag causing the problem - loosening off as it warms up. 10W40 - I would expect to make the problem worse in summer as the oil heats up if it is the syncro cones.

[thebullet]

No problem at all in the summer, Only started during the colder months, I maybe need to think about bleeding the clutch then

[ministar]

When the engine is fully warm, and you do a gear change at 'higher' revs than normal; does the gear crunch, or feel abit harder to put into gear?

[thebullet]

No problem at all! gears feel nice and loose when warm :)

[ministar]

So, as roy says, it sounds clutch related. Let us know what you find.

[thebullet]

I will do, just need to research bleeding my clutch now, however hard that will be.

My clutch makes a bit of a squeeking noise too when pressed, my guess it is the pedal though?

Thanks for your help.

Edited by thebullet, 06 January 2012 - 12:08 AM.

[Jakeclubby]

those two problems, squeaking (which is the pedal) and the clutch being hard when cold are problems me and my mate get in the winter.
just be gentle.... :)

[thebullet]

I am now yes, slowly ease it into gear, and it is fine :)

Edited by thebullet, 06 January 2012 - 10:20 AM.

[Wil_h]

Could be the primary gear binding up on the crank when cold too.

[dklawson]

In addition to bleeding the clutch, take a close look at the clutch adjustments and wear of the pivot points.

The clevis pins on the pedal, the master cylinder pushrod, the throw-out arm, the ball on the throw out arm... all that play adds up. If your clutch is marginal, replacing those parts that pivot can really help.

If you have a pre-verto clutch, make sure the clutch adjustments for the "big stop" and the throw-out arm are correct. In fact, the throw-out stop position can be set a bit tighter than factory spec if necessary to "raise the pedal" a bit.

[R1minimagic]

What grade of oil are you using? When did you last do a change?

All gearboxes even on modern cars can be a bit notchy when cold as the oil is much thicker and thins and as it warms up. I always had the same problem with my Impreza, changed the oil to a slightly thinner grade and it cured the problem. I also have this on my golf tdi when very cold...

[thebullet]

10w40 as haynes suggests, but I heard 20w50 is better?

But isn't that thicker?

Will look at what is suggested, but it after a few gear changes the crunching stops in higher revs, I don't tend to rev it when it is cold anyway, always short shift so I don't notice it as much.

Nornally when going into second I notice it the most.

[R1minimagic]

It doesn't sound like the oil then and yes 20W50 is better for the gearbox protection

[thebullet]

It is due a change now. Will change to that I think.