First and reverse gears crunching on brand new polo

[Tessiedwyer]

Brand new polo crunching 1st and reverse
Hey guys, I'm new to here but figured I'd give it a shot.
So I've just bought a brand new 81TSI Comfortline Polo. I've done about 1700kms already and since the first week I've had the car, first and reverse gears crunch REALLY badly. If I'm stopped at the lights in neutral and pop it into first, as soon as I go it crunches and I have to take it out of gear and put it back in again.
With reverse I can feel when it's not engaged and usually have to let the clutch go a bit and it'll slide in at a certain point.
I've had my 1000km service and brought this issue up with the dealer and they got back to me saying that it was completely fine and quite common in front wheel drive cars. They also said it would pretty much fix itself when the car breaks in a bit more, when IMO it's just getting worse.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what could possibly done? Or has anyone else had this experience? Would love to know...

[Mi16 Man]

Short answer for me after 2500kms in my GTI;

A) Make sure you are completely stopped before trying to engage 1st.....it helps

B) Before selecting reverse, engage 3rd gear and then select reverse after a number of seconds. This will stop the gearbox spinning with the aid of synchromesh and ensure no 'crunching'.

Good luck!


MY13 Kluger KX-S AWD / MY16 Polo GTI

[brad]

You shouldn't have to do any of those gymnastics.


Crunching isn't normal in these gearboxes. They are usually very smooth. It's either a mechanical or user issue.

Get the dealer to show that the gearbox doesn't crunch. If they still say it's normal get it in writing.

I assume in Toowoomba you don't have an alternative service centre for warranty issues?

[maxrob200]

I have crunched gears in my other cars when my shifts have been botched through user error in clutch depression or release or when I have rushed the gear changes in my up/down shifts. Other than that gear changes have been buttery smooth in the Gti.
I would think there is a problem with the clutch or gearbox if it was crunching into gears

[Mi16 Man]

You shouldn't have to do any of those gymnastics.

Agreed Brad but also a good technique to be 'mechanically sympathetic'


MY13 Kluger KX-S AWD / MY16 Polo GTI

[brad]

Agreed Brad but also a good technique to be 'mechanically sympathetic'

You are going beyond "mechanically sympathetic".

A) On a rolling stop you should be able to select 1st gear at any speed below 20kph with minimum pressure on the gearstick and no crunching. It's fitted with a synchromesh for a reason.

B) Clutch in stops the gearbox spinning. Minimal pressure and it should fall into reverse.

It's a modern 2015 motor car, not a Hillman Imp.

[Sydneykid]

Sounds like the clutch is dragging, did the Dealer check the clearance/free play? If not, I'd be suggesting it be done ASAP.


Cheers
Gary

[LukePolo]

mine used to crunch, upon testing there were metal shavings through my gearbox. 1st and 2nd gear syncro's had been damaged, the entire gearbox was replaced under warranty.

[Tessiedwyer]

I have had the car for only one month and rather disappointed if this is a common issue. I shouldn't expect this from a brand new car with all modern mechanics.
I previously had a 2004 Getz with 250,000 kms and the gearbox never crunched. Surely a Polo with less than 2000kms shouldn't.

The dealer checked the gearbox at around 700 km and the answer they gave me was "it was normal". I'm definitely stopped (e.g. at the lights or on a hill with the hill brake engaged) so i wouldn't say I'm not putting first gear properly. And as for reverse it happens even when i'm just trying to reverse out of a car park.

[Tessiedwyer]

If the car doesn't get any better by the time i reach 2000 kms I'll definitely take it back to the dealer and ask them to have another look at it.
Might take my partner with me in case they think I'm just clueless because I'm a 19yo female haha.