just had my octavia in for its first service. asked the service manager to check the gear change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd as it was quit bad when the car was cold. when i went to collect the car he said this was normal and was a common thing with octavias and it was nothing to worry about, anybody else had this problem

I also have this problem on my 4X4 and asked for it to be checked before I took delivery. No fault was found but at least I have it in writing that the gearchange was being obstructive then. The problem has been widely discussed on at least one VW forum, and I believe that the Octavia has the same VW-manufactured gearbox as is fitted to some Golfs. The UK-MKIVS Forum is down at the moment but I think that this is a relevant link. One possible solution is to change the type of oil in the gearbox. If that doesn't work, a gearbox rebuild or swap is needed. I intend to investigate having the oil changed first. Incidentally, I have noticed that the gearchange is getting marginally better as the weather warms up, and it is also less obstructive if the engine is allowed to idle for a few minutes before driving off (not something I normally do).

PS Link now mended. MKIVs address has changed.

When I first got my previous Octy (SLX TDi) the gear change can be best described as being agricultural; from various motor mags I gather that diesel gearboxes tend to be likes this. May be due to them requiring stronger 'boxes to deal with the torque??

Anyway with miles it gets much better; mine had done 35k miles in just over 2 years and I near had any problem with it.

VAG parts are notorious for getting better with age. The 16v engine in the mk2 would be just getting into it's stride around the 60k mark.

I wouldn't worry but as you've had it checked out at least you have some evidence on your side if something were to go wrong.

Cheers.

Adrian.

I too noted a difficulty engaging 1st/2nd on my 4x4. When I compared it againt another slighly more abused model I was very concerned I had a faulty box. However after 17k miles and a few crunched gears it's a lot better. I also use 2nd to 1st engine braking in traffic, I was a bit mifed untill it became easier. Squeaky clutch pedal my next biggest gripe.

I havent had a VW that hasnt had this problem, and that includes a 1.1 Polo, 1.3 Jetta, 1.9 td Vento, my old 1.9 tdi 90 Octy and even my new Superb tdi130. Once warmed up and bedded in they are fine, or have been for me every time.

Cheers

thanks for your quick replies. if i change the oil in the box what type should i use and how easy is it.

Originally posted by ColinD in this post

...However after 17k miles and a few crunched gears it's a lot better....

Colin's gears all have nice rounded edges now - very smooth and silent :p

Here is a link to the ukmkiv's forum, tried searching but cant find anything.

http://213.196.3.135/uk-mkivs/forum/

Just thought I'd add a bit to this if it helps...

Our Fabia TDi doesn't suffer this but... it is a common problem on Mazda MX5's (my other car). In the latter it's due to a poor design of sychromesh between 1st and 2nd but is definitely helped by different oils. I seem to recall that the best we've found for solving the problem is a fully sythetic oil made by Redline but I can check it out.

Right just checked on the oil and it's "Redline MTL" which can be sourced from mtmotorsport.co.uk at

My gearbox used to be a little bit reluctant to change ratios when the transmision oil was cold, but not when warmed up.

Its much better now I have done a few more miles. I used Millers TRX in a previous car which was good as it had good viscosity characteristics.

Millers oils

Their Diesel Power Plus (Dieselclean) fuel additive is good too and they have recently started to make an oil especially for the VW group Pumpe Duse TDI engines.

Hope this helps

But I think you will find the newish Millers oil isnt long-life compatable, it may be ok for 10k servicing but not variable.

Cheers.

ps I hope they have an oil that is soon as I think Millers is the dogs dangleys for diesel oil, and there Diesel clean plus fuel additive too.

The link in my earlier reply was broken. It is now fixed and can be read here.