Prob with my '96 VR6 - please help!

**gman** · 01-12-2006, 11:15 AM

Hi everyone - I'm new to the forum!

I've got a '96 Golf VR6 (manual) which I bought in January.

Its a great little car, aside from a nagging problem I was wondering you might be able to offer some advice about.. The problem relates to the drivetrain (I think). Its a difficult problem to describe - I'll do my best..

The car makes a jolting 'thud' when the car goes from coasting (in gear and moving but without the accelerator pressed) to power.

When the car is under acceleration, there is no problem.

However when I go from coasting (no accelerator applied) to applying the accelerator, there is that jolting thud as the engine takes up the momentum.

So for example, if I'm cruising at 80km/h and go down a gentle hill, I lift the accelerator (so I'm not going too fast) and the car JOLTS as the momentum goes from the engine pulling the car to it coasting along under its own momentum. Then when the speed decreases and I want to re-apply power, the car JOLTS again as the engine takes up the power.

Also, when the aircon is on, if the compressor kicks in and takes some of the power from the engine, there is the same thud as the momentum of the car shifts from the engine pulling the car to the car coasting along.

Of course it thuds again when the accelerator is pressed to compensate and the engine starts pulling the car again.

I've had a friend who has more mechanical understanding that I have a drive and it puzzled him - this problem occurs in all gears, leading him to think it is a problem with the gearbox main drive gear.

Its a wierd problem especially because its a manual car!

VW V!illage thought it was an engine mount problem and replaced the rear engine mount. But this made no difference.

Any ideas what this might be???

I'm located in Sydney's east and I'm having a tough time finding a mechanic with some good knowledge who won't charge me a bucket just to look at it and try diagnose the problem.. Any suggestions where to take it? Barl0world VW seemed too expensive to me.

Any advice you could offer would be muchly appreciated!

Attached is pic of the lovely (aside from this problem) beast.

Thanks!
G-man

**william** · 01-12-2006, 11:42 AM

your looking at an engine mount problem quite common mine has the same problem which iam currently fixing because they are fluid filled they crack and the fluid leaks out look for a leaking mount can be spotted in the engine bay

**gman** · 01-12-2006, 11:50 AM

Thanks for your response William.

I don't think its an engine mount problem as the only engine mount that was worn (the rear one) was replaced and this did not solve the problem.

I just went and had a look at all the engine mounts and they all seem to be intact.

Any other ideas?

**DubSteve** · 01-12-2006, 12:03 PM

Gday mate and welcome to the forum. I would also said engine mounts because I had the same problem as well.

The only other thing that I could think of is possibly think of is a loose bolt or something. Maybe a flat spot somewhere in the transmission I'm not sure.

You could try Wolfsburg motors which is in Alexandria, they are not to bad and are priced OK.

**WABIT** · 01-12-2006, 12:09 PM

drive shafts? anyone think so?

wabit

**DubSteve** · 01-12-2006, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by WABIT

drive shafts? anyone think so?

wabit

You would have to have a look at it wouldn't you.

**gman** · 01-12-2006, 12:15 PM

I just spoke to Shurek (i think that's his name) at Wolfsburg Motors - he thinks it sounds like a problem with the diff.

He said that the diff rivets sometimes come loose, but it could be a pretty costly exercise if the diff is buggered.

He's going to have a look at it on Tuesday for me. I'll let you know what he says!

**DubSteve** · 01-12-2006, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by gman

I just spoke to Shurek (i think that's his name) at Wolfsburg Motors - he thinks it sounds like a problem with the diff.

He said that the diff rivets sometimes come loose, but it could be a pretty costly exercise if the diff is buggered.

He's going to have a look at it on Tuesday for me. I'll let you know what he says!

Yeha hes not to bad. his names Shirik there brothers that own that place. Inside they have a photo with a Combi at the Salt planes in America and its got a big Supercharger on it MASSIVE LOL.

**gman** · 05-12-2006, 03:45 PM

Hey all,

I took the VR6 to Shirik at Wolfsburg Motors today.

His brother thinks the problem with the car isn't the engine mounts, gearbox or diff. Thinks it is an engine control problem.

Booked it in for next thursday to be properly checked...

Whilst I'm writing - does anyone know where I can get the little black end-caps for the sideskirts? (the ones beneath the doors) I think other MK3 Golfs aside from the VR6 have these skirts?

I'm missing the rear driver's and front passengers caps.

Cheers all!
Gman