The fault that i reckoned was a clutch problem is more likely to be the gearbox according to the clutch & gearbox guy i saw today.

He couldn't get it to replicate the problem (difficulty engaging 1st and reverse gear sometimes), but he couldn't fault the clutch.

Cost to take the gearbox in and out was £250 (don't know whether vat inclusive or exclusive), before any repair work.

Seemed an honest guy - suggested that until he witnesses the problem himself, there's no point doing any work, as he may find nothing wrong

once stripped down. Looks like i need to live with it, or let it get worse and more noticeable.

Seems that a lot of folk experience a notchy gearbox on the Octavia, but seems more random, and worse than that to me.

Probably clutching at straws, but decided to replace the gearbox oil to see what if any difference that makes.

With 87K on the clock, I figured its worth trying.

Anyone know where the gearbox drain plug is located, or know of an online resource showing its location ?

Thanks in anticipation of any help you can give

This is a known fault. See other threads on this topic. On my car they "cured" it by changing to a different grade of gear oil.

14 months later the gearbox failed, cracking the bell-housing! See the thread that I am just about to start...

Edited 31 December, 201015 yr by eddie2

How strange. Drove the car around town a fair bit today, with no difficulty in getting into 1st or Reverse.

It is the warmest that it has been here for a few weeks at 7C.

Wouldn't expect the ambient temperature to make any difference once components are fully warmed up.

Is there any aspect of gearchange process that would be affected by outside temperature ?

Seems odd to me, but makes sense as didnt notice any gear selection resistance until the cold weather hit a month ago

If your gearbox oil is like treacle then the temp will make a big difference to how well it works.

I'd get it changed for new OEM gearbox oil and see how you do for a few months.

I can't get from 5th or 6th, down into 4th, without a slight notch up toward 3rd on the way. Definitely an irritatng but not catastrophic issue with my gearbox. Will do these changes fine when stood stationary, so not sure what it could be. Liviing with it for now, getting used to do 5th to 3rd downshifts, but this is not handy on track at all.

It could be dry/out of adjustment gear change cables as most of these modern FWD cars use Bowden cables between gear lever and box

Ian

It could be dry/out of adjustment gear change cables as most of these modern FWD cars use Bowden cables between gear lever and box

Ian

Thanks. Did wonder wihether a gear linkage might be affected in some way

If your gearbox oil is like treacle then the temp will make a big difference to how well it works.

I'd get it changed for new OEM gearbox oil and see how you do for a few months.

Thanks for the advice. Yep, will give that a go. None of the three Edinburgh skoda garages had any so far this week - no deliveries

till thursday apparently.

Car has 87K on it now, and service records show that gearbox oil was replaced 45K ago

I'm sure the gearbox oil is meant to be good for 100K though ?

Thanks for the advice. Yep, will give that a go. None of the three Edinburgh skoda garages had any so far this week - no deliveries

till thursday apparently.

Car has 87K on it now, and service records show that gearbox oil was replaced 45K ago

I'm sure the gearbox oil is meant to be good for 100K though ?

IIRC skoda says "sealed for life" and the manufacturer of the box says change oil every 50k miles.

IMHO sealed for life is true, but the life will be shorter, so I change it every 50k or so as it can only be good for the box to have clean oil in it.

The last time it was changed it didn't come out filthy, but at the same time it did look less healthy than the new oil (Hardly surprising)

manufacturer of the box says change oil every 50k miles

wasnt aware of that - thanks for the info.

glad its being done in that case

OK, if it was done 45k ago I would say the problem lies elsewhere. Just my personal feeling, but you shouldn't be seeing these issues after this amount of mileage if it is gearbox oil related. But for the outlay it's worth getting it done and see though.

Steve

OK, if it was done 45k ago I would say the problem lies elsewhere. Just my personal feeling, but you shouldn't be seeing these issues after this amount of mileage if it is gearbox oil related. But for the outlay it's worth getting it done and see though.

Steve

Agreed, but i didn't own the car then and although it was done by Skoda, i don't know what oil was used.

Also, the charge was only £20 so perhaps it was just a top up.

I can't see them having done the job for £20 3yrs ago when they currently charge £160.

Got my fingers crossed that it was just a top up

Edited 6 January, 201115 yr by Monkeyboyo

Agreed, but i didn't own the car then and although it was done by Skoda, i don't know what oil was used.

Also, the charge was only £20 so perhaps it was just a top up.

I can't see them having done the job for £20 3yrs ago when they currently charge £160.

Got my fingers crossed that it was just a top up

Job done. I don't notice any immediate difference, but only done 2 miles home.

Lets see how it feels next time we get sub-zero temps

Fingers crossed

Fingers crossed

OMG can't believe what a HUGE difference the oil change made.

Feels like a different car at the moment

OMG can't believe what a HUGE difference the oil change made.

Feels like a different car at the moment

Good isn't it

Shift quality will also be nicely improved, as will performance from cold