Are you sure the noise is coming from the gearbox? I had similar problems with my Tdi, it took the dealer almost 12 months to sort it out and even then, only when I complained to Skoda direct.

First of all they denied there was a fault, then eventually, admitted there was a problem, said it probably was the gearbox but that Skoda was aware of the problem and considered it "acceptable"!

It was only after I contacted Skoda directly via their web site that I got something done about it.

It turned out to be a faulty drive-shaft.

Regards

awt41

OK time for an update...

I took it in and described the noises and, as expected, the technician couldn't hear anything. So I took it out again and made sure he heard the whining at 40 (once I explained it was like an old BMC A series he knew what I was talking about) but he couldn't seem to hear the knocking noise. I then explained it seemed to be intermittent and had a real good go at making it happen and he eventually seemed to notice it. He also acknowledged the popping noise on releasing he clutch, so it was back to the workshop.

Having had another listen they decided to check the gearbox oil level and the like and check for any particles in the oil that would indicate a bearing gone or premature wear (apparently the 'box has a magnetic plug which I didn't know about). This showed up nothing untoward.

I then got the chance to speak to the technician again who seemed to be pretty honest and straight from what I could make out. He thought the popping noise was the clutch release bearing that will be wearing in (which would seem to be fair) but couldn't seem to explain the other noises on the basis of what they knew. It was clear, however, that they are reluctant to do anything drastic at this stage, such as rplacing the 'box, and I can understand that given that it does seem to intermittent.

So the situation at the moment is that we have registered what we feel is a fault via the service department and have a record sheet indicating this and the dealers inspection but are keeping the car in its currnet state until such time as the problem gets worse. If it does than I'll be straight back to them barndishing not only the inspection sheet but also the info above from Dutch4x4 (Thanks Dutch!).

Re the response from awt41... thanks, I'll bear that in mind. I did wonder about the drive shafts myself but haven't noticed anything that would point that way (tried doing full lock turns in car parks and that sort of thing). Can you give me any more info to go on and what was your direct approach to Skoda?... threats of legal action or just persistence?

Cheers

No, I just contacted Skoda Customer Service via their UK web site and told them about the problem I was having.

They replied within a day to say they had contacted my garage.

The garage then contacted me and arranged for the car to go in to have the drive shaft replaced.

So it would appear that Skoda had to tell the garage what to do!

Anyway, they were correct in their diagnosis because it cured the fault. What I want to know is why the garage couldn't sort out the problem without me having to complain directly to Skoda - I,m sure that if I hadn't done so it would still be knocking!

So - full marks to Skoda for giving the garage a kick up the backside.

Regards,

awt41

Cheers Awt,

I'll see how it develops over the next few months (warranty runs out March next year) and go direct to Skoda if needs be!

Current car = Fabia Tdi.36k This has the same symptoms. Noisy layshaft and whine.

I drove another dealer Fabia 30k same year/model and that made same noises/whine and displayed the excess backlash in the final drive . Mine at that time had totalled 12k.