Gearbox - what to do?

[PeterHBne]

Well, mine went in this morning for a new gearbox - Keith (crusty old head mechanic) believes that all the gearbox woes for the Polo is due to the use of synthetic rather than mineral oil (hence the recall, or whatever you want to call it).

He said what VWA now do is make the dealer disassemble the gearbox and advise VWA rather than simply replace. VWA then provide a gearbox - hence the 3 days.

But I'm still a bit sus on the whole thing - knowing how things work (ah the wisdom of old age) I find it difficult to believe that if the gearbox is not sitting in the dealership right now, that mine will be disassembled, diagnosed, one ordered from wherever, delivered then installed all by afternoon tea time Fri.

Jimmy - expect a P.M

[gerhard]

Well, mine went in this morning for a new gearbox - Keith (crusty old head mechanic) believes that all the gearbox woes for the Polo is due to the use of synthetic rather than mineral oil (hence the recall, or whatever you want to call it).

He said what VWA now do is make the dealer disassemble the gearbox and advise VWA rather than simply replace. VWA then provide a gearbox - hence the 3 days.

But I'm still a bit sus on the whole thing - knowing how things work (ah the wisdom of old age) I find it difficult to believe that if the gearbox is not sitting in the dealership right now, that mine will be disassembled, diagnosed, one ordered from wherever, delivered then installed all by afternoon tea time Fri.

Jimmy - expect a P.M

Many years ago two of us removed a Mini Cooper S engine and stripped the gearbox off in 45 minutes. Any of the forum old-timers will know that this was no mean feat (although we had done it pretty often as members of the Launceston Mini Club )

I can't see a problem for a VW dealer to remove the box and strip it down well before lunch time on day 1. 24 hours later the replacement box will arrive from VW, and in less than 2 hours your car will be back together.

That gives them more than a day left over to wash the car for you

[VW Convert]

Many years ago two of us removed a Mini Cooper S engine and stripped the gearbox off in 45 minutes. Any of the forum old-timers will know that this was no mean feat (although we had done it pretty often as members of the Launceston Mini Club )

Old timers? You talking about me again Gerhard?

I had my minis apart a number of times, got to the point where I could pull the engine with transmission and out by myself in an hour in my home garage, used take a bit longer to pull the box off using the crude tools available to me.

I reckon they certainly should have plenty of time to wash the car for Peter, 3 days is dragging it out.

Cheers

George

[PeterHBne]

Called Keith to see how things are going - told that the gearbox has received all new parts as in rebuilt.

He said VW do not replace gearboxes anymore.

I'll be having a conversation with him this arvo as to why he has strung me along and not told me that from the start (he clearly new all the way along).

Lesson learned - NEVER TRUST YOUR CAR DEALER/SERVICE (for those who have yet to learn that lesson.

[Jmac]

3 Days is shocking mate , having worked in dealer land in the past for over 15yrs i know all you have to do is roadtest and your car was pretty bloody obvious that the case hardening had come off 1st gear and then with the info provided ie chassis number and Gbox code the new tranny would be here on the day the install was to take place so 1 day would have been enough thats if they were going to replace!!! which you had been told, thats the way we did it in the old days with a vehicle under warranty. If the box was in fact getting stripped for inspection day 1 would have the box torn down and the parts if available next day. Different story if they are ex germany. Changed days my friend.

[PeterHBne]

So the car goes back to Highway VW yesterday to have the rattle from hell near the firewall (loose fuel lines) fixed as a result of their last efforts fiddling with my gearbox and to investigate why the gear lever now also jams in reverse and requires a herculean effort to pull it back into neutral. And to fix the steering issue (new spring required) which was supposed to be fixed last time but I was told the part still hadn’t arrived. Well the steering part still hasn’t arrived (it’s only been about 6 weeks I suppose) and they also now need the car for 3 days to pull apart the gearbox (again). Keith tells me that there is a very good chance as this is now the 2nd time that I will get a new gearbox (which I’ll believe when I see).

[philthy]

So the car goes back to Highway VW yesterday to have the rattle from hell near the firewall (loose fuel lines) fixed as a result of their last efforts fiddling with my gearbox and to investigate why the gear lever now also jams in reverse and requires a herculean effort to pull it back into neutral. And to fix the steering issue (new spring required) which was supposed to be fixed last time but I was told the part still hadn’t arrived. Well the steering part still hasn’t arrived (it’s only been about 6 weeks I suppose) and they also now need the car for 3 days to pull apart the gearbox (again). Keith tells me that there is a very good chance as this is now the 2nd time that I will get a new gearbox (which I’ll believe when I see).

That sux Pete. MY08 WRX and golf V GTI prices should be dropping pretty shortly. Time for a trade in

[PeterHBne]

Nah I like the car - but the reliability/quality issues are troubling.

Mine so far are gearbox, new diverter valve (or similar?) and a new (something) spring for the steering (coming) so apart from the gearbox, that is acceptable in my book.

The loose fuel lines were as a result of the dunderheads at VW Springwood not securing the when playing with my gearbox.

I was cautious when choosing which car to buy because of the myriad issues I read on this board people had had but in the end decided to take the chance.

I read an interview in the paper recently with the CEO of VW who openly acknowledged the deserved reputation VW have for reliability/quality issues with their current range of cars and that their aim is to be at the top of the pile in terms of quality, starting with the next Golf.

[VW GTI]

Remember, on the forum you see problems reported everywhere because people don't make threads saying 'I had no issues yesterday' because no-one cares.

The problems really are quite isolated, just blown out of proportion if you look at it on a forum.

Maybe you got a lemon to have that many issues?

Nah I like the car - but the reliability/quality issues are troubling.

Mine so far are gearbox, new diverter valve (or similar?) and a new (something) spring for the steering (coming) so apart from the gearbox, that is acceptable in my book.

The loose fuel lines were as a result of the dunderheads at VW Springwood not securing the when playing with my gearbox.

I was cautious when choosing which car to buy because of the myriad issues I read on this board people had had but in the end decided to take the chance.

I read an interview in the paper recently with the CEO of VW who openly acknowledged the deserved reputation VW have for reliability/quality issues with their current range of cars and that their aim is to be at the top of the pile in terms of quality, starting with the next Golf.

[NickZ]

Remember, on the forum you see problems reported everywhere because people don't make threads saying 'I had no issues yesterday' because no-one cares.

The problems really are quite isolated, just blown out of proportion if you look at it on a forum.

Maybe you got a lemon to have that many issues?

For most problems, yes. However, surely the gearbox is more than an isolated issue - it has affected a lot of people on this forum.