Mk4 Bora V6 4Motion gearbox problem, please help :(

[UG1]

Hi

I have a '01 Bora V6 and the car stalled in the middle of the road and I realised the gearbox was kaput. The knob will move around but it seems gearbox is stuck in 2nd gear. As soon as the clutch pedal is released the engine stalls.

Does this sound like an expensive repair?

I have been quoted $3500 by ABC in North Strathfield as long as it is a minor issue. They will quote more for any major issues found once the box is opened.

I realise finding a 2nd hand box would be a cheaper option. Are the Mk4 R32 gearboxes compatible?

Can anyone recommend any other places who can do a good job for a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance.

[Neroo]

id probably say check your linkages just in case maybe they snapped or something , also a r32 gearbox is out of the question as r32's are ultra rare and the gearbox i cant picture being cheap so yeah not really a option

[djorkboy]

So the mechanic is quoting you $3500 when he has no idea what the problem is and he reserves the right to charge you more if he feels like it. Or is it $3500 just to pull the gearbox out and find out what the problem is? My suggestion is find a new mechanic, these guys sound dodgy.

If the gearstick moves like normal but the gearbox is still in 2nd then it sounds like it might be linkages (or when you say "The knob will move around" do you mean it is just flopping around like it's not connected to anything?) but if it stalls every time in 2nd that sounds worse, my Bora can easily take off from a standing start in 2nd, it could probably do it in 3rd too.

Maybe the linkage breaking is just a side effect of something bigger inside the gearbox dying.

My hard learned lesson is: If the Aircon is broken, take it to an aircon specialist. If the diff is broken, take it to a diff specialist. If the transmission is broken, take it to a transmission specialist. Because a general mechanic is just going to farm it out to a specialist anyway and they are going to charge to do it (and they can farm it out to anyone they want, it could be their cousin's girlfriend's uncle who works on tractor gearboxes but is willing to give these new fangled car transmissions a go and you will be none the wiser until your $3500 repair goes south).

As far as the option of replacement, you might want to take a look at the UK as an option, the money you pay for shipping may be well and truly made up for by the low price of parts for 4motion MKIVs over there.

[kapowww]

Take a look at this video as it may help:

Volkswagen Group Shift Linkage Adjustment for year models 2000-2013 - YouTube

At least it's stuck in second gear so you can drive around slowly..

[Manaz]

$3500 would get you a complete reconditioned gearbox, including fitment I believe. Get the car to someone who knows VWs to actually Mk1 eyeball it.

It could be a linkage issue, particularly if the clutch still operates (ie push the pedal in and the gearbox is disengaged from the engine), but you won't know until you get it looked at properly.

[UG1]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I managed to find a dismantler who had a 2nd hand gearbox for $1500 and they quoted $600 for installation.

Would it be cheaper to ask them to check the linkages and repair that only? I am assuming the box does not include the linkages?

[Manaz]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I managed to find a dismantler who had a 2nd hand gearbox for $1500 and they quoted $600 for installation.

Would it be cheaper to ask them to check the linkages and repair that only? I am assuming the box does not include the linkages?

Linkages may cost you a few hundred if you're unlucky. Get the car looked at (not quoted based on your description of the problem) by a VW expert.

Having it towed to such an expert in Sydney would cost you very little (particularly if you have membership with someone like the NRMA).

[UG1]

Thanks Manaz,

Parramatta prestige said there was nothing wrong with the linkages. So I ended up paying $1500 for 2nd hand gearbox and $600 for fitting.

it's on the road now. But I still need to fix some stalling problem now

[Manaz]

Thanks Manaz,

Parramatta prestige said there was nothing wrong with the linkages. So I ended up paying $1500 for 2nd hand gearbox and $600 for fitting.

it's on the road now. But I still need to fix some stalling problem now

Did the people who pulled the gearbox determine what was actually wrong with it? Was the $1500 on the basis of you handing your old box in?

[Manaz]

Thanks Manaz,

Parramatta prestige said there was nothing wrong with the linkages. So I ended up paying $1500 for 2nd hand gearbox and $600 for fitting.

it's on the road now. But I still need to fix some stalling problem now

Practically across Windsor Rd from Parramatta Prestige are Exoticars. Get them to take a look, they have the right scanning tools to check what might be causing the stalling (my parents used Parramatta Prestige for years to look after their BMWs and Volvos, but I don't think they go there any more, and there's generally a good reason for that where my father is concerned)...