Problems

[numptie-boy]

Looking at 2.5 tdi automatics. Only ever had 1.9tdi's so new territory. Whats the problems if any with these engines and more importantly gearboxes?

 

Thanks in advance. Any info greatly appreciated.

[Gaz]

Mine's fine. Belt changes are more expensive than on 1.9's.  I don't think there's anything particular to note over and above other engine's.  Some have had trouble with soft camshafts/excessive lobe wear.

 

I'd have a read up on here re the VP44 pump issues as they can be a tad expensive to fix.

 

Bags of torque and rumour has it the autobox doesn't like this, but mine's fine and feels robust.  I think it was Jim on here who's first sign of box problems was slipping reverse on an incline.

 

I've had 1.9's and have had the V6 for two and a half years now. Still really enjoying it.

 

Gaz

[jimbof]

Mine is a 1.9 and yes I had a failed reverse gear, which was expensive to fix (£1500).  The 1.9 auto and 2.5 auto is basically the same ZF 5HP19 gearbox (I guess there may be some internal / programming differences).  Reverse is a notorious failure for this box - very common on all variants (BMW, Porsche also use the box).  All gearbox specialists seem well aware of it - the place I used had the failed part on prominent show in their waiting room!

 

You want to make sure it will reverse up a good incline without any slipping, and also check that in reverse with foot on brake it doesn't start hopping / bucking after a short time.  I had it repaired 30,000 miles ago (at 98,000 miles) and so far so good.  The first time they "fixed" it I ended up with it thumping from 2nd into 1st, don't know if that is also a failure mode of this box, but was sorted second visit to them.  All changes should be nice and smooth - the gearbox does hold onto gear longer than you would yourself if you were driving a diesel manual, which isn't very good for economy and does make it sound a bit tiring (as the revs are higher than you'd like while it is in the "wrong" gear).  My 1.9 will be up to 5th while accelerating gently through around 47mph on the speedo.  At least on mine, 3rd to 4th always seems like a slower change than the rest of them.

 

Ideally if the car has over 60,000 miles you'll have a receipt from the careful owner that they've had the fluid changed, with the right fluid, and the filter/strainer and gasket too, as that is the interval recommended by the gearbox manufacturer.  To be honest though most won't have had it done, as the dealers will usually tell you it is sealed for life.  When I enquired they told me they'd only change it if the gearbox was misbehaving (almost certainly too late it seems).  So you might be into trying to find one with as few miles as possible.

 

I don't think I'd buy one of these at high miles without some gearbox history.  The specialist I used suggested changing the fluid and filter every 24,000 miles, and seeing as I do all the other maintenance myself now i will carry on getting that done by them until the car dies.

 

On the upside, they reckoned if you wanted any traditional automatic VW / Audi, this gearbox is much much more reliable than the Audi 6/7 speed units.  Apparently that isn't saying much though.  My little brother just bought a shed of a B6 2.0 140bhp Passat with DSG box, and that is much more refined than my auto, in terms of shift quality, shift speed, and economy.  But those B6's have lots of their own problems.

[numptie-boy]

Cheers guys. One particular car I'm looking at is an "Edition 100" with 57k on the clock. Never knew such a model existed despite all my years of many Skoda ownership.

Car certainly looks the part in the pics but as we all know, cars described as immaculate seldom are.

 

Will let you know if I view and go ahead.

[jimbof]

I've seen that one on eBay.  Looks nice.  But described as 50K in the title, 52K in the eBay info box and 57K in the text?!  

 

Driver's door seal looks very wet, I'd be worried it is letting water in - but could be over-enthusiastic pressure washing from below.  You can check with a watering can along the window rubber and look for water coming out from behind the door card.  Also need to check the usual water ingress issues (all interior lights working, carpets dry, under footwell vents dry, etc).  Mine was letting water in from the pollen seal 3 years ago, and these will have all been built within the same couple of weeks in the factory.  Satnav disc appears missing.

 

Mine was a Scottish Edition 100 too - check the wheel arches and number plate lamps, as mine had all rusted by now (very top of the arches).  I got it done at dealers under warranty - they did a pretty good job, but I'd have preferred not to have to bother.  The 2.5 supposedly suffer less rusting at the wings because of less vibration.