The Official Mk6 Golf DSG Clutch / Shudder / Squeal Issues Thread

[cktsi]

My car today developed a problem with the DSG. Normally when it's in 2nd gear in slow traffic the clutch take up from a slow crawl to acceleration is smooth.

Today the clutch take up from 2nd gear in "D" started getting rough - like there's a violent shudder for 2 seconds.

I decided to do a few exercises to see when it would replicate. The shudder isn't there when I use tiptronic from 1st to 2nd.

If I'm in "D" the shudder isn't there if I accelerate quickly from D1, through D2 to D3.

Whilst crawling in D2, the clutch take up is smooth if I accelerate lightly from the slow crawl.

Whilst crawling in D2, the clutch take up is violent if I accelerate moderately to heavy from the slow crawl.

Obviously the answer is I have to take it into the workshop to have it checked. I'm dreading it though cos I already know that Mascot is booked out for June. I'm worried Five Dock will likely be the same.

In the meantime I'll have to drive like a granny in D2 until I hit D3.

Pity it's a public holiday tomorrow & I have to wait an extra day.

Anyone else starting to experience similar issues with the 7DSG? I've done a general google search & cannot find anything on the matter.

The car has just celebrated its 1st birthday and I've got 22,200 km on the clock.

[Brian]

Hi CK,
Just did over 5000ks in 2 weeks. See post here http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f112...tml#post520664
I experienced the same problem a couple of times on my trip, but only seemed to be after a few hours continuously in 7th at 110 Km/h plus.
After my rest stop, I would take off easy and get the shudder in 2nd. Also if I took off a bit more aggressively. I had a fully laden car and the Mechatronics wanted to put the gearbox into 2nd at under 1000 revs.
(Must have "learnt" that I wanted to be in 7th all the time LOL)
After a few of these episodes I started taking off in manual mode and letting the motor rev a bit in first and second - say 3500 - 4000 rpm.
Since I've been home and running around town again with lots of gear changes, I haven't been able to replicate the problem. (I've tried to so I can show it to the mechs when I get my 15k service done in a few weeks)
However, all seems normal now, but will mention it when its in for a service.
Hope its not another time bomb (like the motor failures) waiting to happen. Although I love the car, I may have to unload it before the warranty is up, even if nothing fails before then. All these negative posts tend to undermine my confidence in the longevity of the VW.

[logger]

Hope its not another time bomb....

No it wont be. Fair chance it is just the clutch adaptations getting out of whack.
Drive it in manual mode for a bit. Especially in the regime where you reckon the clutch take up is getting rough. From what I can gather from your description, this is from 2nd to 3rd. So the K2 clutch disengaging and the K1 taking up. If there was a genuine clutch problem, logic suggests you would expect to see it as all the odd gears engaged, whereas you are only reporting it from 2nd to 3rd. So quite possibly the current adaptations for the gear engage points and clutch positions during this change are out of whack. If it was my car I would just reset the clutch adaptations to back to basic settings with my VCDS. then let it adapt form scratch again. But as you don't have VCDS, drive it around in manual mode a for a while. Especially through the gear change you reckon is dodgy. See if it improves as the adaptations change. Good chance they will.
BTW the 2nd to 3rd change is the first point at which the K1 clutch fully engages. In a normal leisurely start off, the K1 clutch actually slips all the way to 2nd gear. So this is why you wont be seeing it when you first move.

[golftsi]

If it was my car I would just reset the clutch adaptations to back to basic settings with my VCDS. then let it adapt form scratch again.

Logger

Can you shed some light on how to reset the clutch adaptations? I'm assuming this is what the dealer did. I've got VCDS & a vagcom cable so I can do it myself. Would be handy to know if it occurs again.

Thanks
Mark

[Brian]

But as you don't have VCDS, drive it around in manual mode a for a while.

Thanks Logger, now that I think about it I haven't had any problems since I ran the car in manual mode for a few days. The Mechatronics may have reset itself as per your diagnostics.

[cktsi]

Looks like vw finally know what the issue is. I took my car in 2weeks ago as the shudder has become worse.

They said that they have seen and fixed quite a few golf 6 with DSG 7. Apparently it is something to do with a faulty shim. Not sure what the shim is, but sounds like it guides the clutch plates.

Sometimes they warp and create uneven contact... And hence the shuddering.

The fix? They had to go through the standard diagnostic procedure of replacing the mechatronics, even though the service centre knew that was not the cause.

After replacing the mechatronics the issue is still there. So now they can concentrate on the real fix.

They will replace the clutches. The clutch for the even gears is now slipping when i put the boot in after 2000rpm in any even gear. So they're pretty worn out.

They will also replace the shim.

Hopefully they fix the issue. I will see when i pick up the car tomorrow.

I thought to post this as a record for anyone else out there who may have this issue, but are being given the run around. After a change in personnel at my dealer, they obviously now have more knowledgeable staff who not only will acknowledge the issue but also know how to fix it.

[DrDanyG]

My 2009 Golf 118TSi has had issues from day 1. The car has now done 54K after 2.5 years and it has been diagnosed as having piston 4 misfiring and losing compression. The car shakes and vibrates at idle and during driving. It's booked in at the dealer in a few days-they seem to think it's a serious problem. From what I've read with other people having similar problems, it's serious enough that a new engine might need to be installed. I'm very unhappy with this unreliability for a "40K small German" car. After i get these issues sorted out, I'm getting rid of the car and purchasing a 2012 BMW 125i.

[Bayman]

I'm very unhappy with this unreliability for a "40K small German" car. After i get these issues sorted out, I'm getting rid of the car and purchasing a 2012 BMW 125i.

Seems the Golf VI 118TSI with 7sp DSG has been a bad thing for VW. I agree having been through the drama of a Golf V Slush box tranny blowing up at 80,000Kms and car being off the road for 5 weeks due to the incompetance of the tech who rebuilt the tranny. Next time (even though under ext warranty) I will be demanding a NEW transmission as it seems to come through that repairing these DSGs is not for the average mechanic. I think this reliability issue is becoming a nightmare for VW as they pump out 7 million cars a year. Mind you until we get lemon laws in Australia, these cowardly car manufacturers will always try and run away from being honorable, but it amazes me why they don't realise brand loyalty is important to their profits in the long term, but as an un-nammed Service Manager at a VW dealer stated to his team one day, VW make **** cars that break down often and they are lucky so they get plenty of work.....well that says it all doesn't it?

Can someone inform me if there is an obvious advantage buying a new Golf Diesel with a 6 sp DSG as these I hear still have a wet clutch and are possible a better DSG? As for 7 sp DSG, I'd say get the new DSG (S tronic) in the Audi Q5 or steer away to BMW like you say.

Bayman

[regu]

I have had all the same problems with the shudder (new clutch packs) and a new mechatronik. The car is still not really what it used to be. There is still the rough idle with some misfire, the 3 to 2 downshift bang, the rattle noise when driving over a rough surface, the slight hesitaion when taking off followed by fast acceleration. All small things which are only random hence difficult to reproduce when going on a 'drive around' with the mechanic.

I am currently thinking to 'swap' the Golf DSG with a manual Jetta. Don't get me wrong here I love the Golf/DSG and the standard VW is setting in the small car segment but at the end of the day I just want car that is working and reliable. I have better things to do than leaving the car with the dealer to "fix" a 2 year old car.

*end rant*

[golftsi]

My car today developed a problem with the DSG. Normally when it's in 2nd gear in slow traffic the clutch take up from a slow crawl to acceleration is smooth.

Today the clutch take up from 2nd gear in "D" started getting rough - like there's a violent shudder for 2 seconds.

I decided to do a few exercises to see when it would replicate. The shudder isn't there when I use tiptronic from 1st to 2nd.

I had a similar issue at only 2xxx km. Car was back at the dealer for some warranty work and I asked them to take a look. When I picked it up, they had updated some software and reset the dsg to factory settings. Problem solved and I haven't felt it since. May be worth asking the dealer to reset the DSG when its in for service and see if that helps

Mark