since i've owned it my 1.6 octavia hasn't ever had the best gearbox. its been making a whirring noise (its this or a wheel bearing) for maybe two years now and two gear oil changes (with proper VW stuff) haven't revealed any bits of rivet so i'm not overly concerned about usual DUU fare yet.

anyway, the car often doesn't like to go into first and the other gears are hit and miss as to whether they want to engage smoothly or not. they all work but its not as it should be (in comparison with a two year newer 1.6 with the same DUU box). most of these problems get worse with heat / sitting in traffic (but my comparison car gets worse/stiffer to engage too).

what might be the causes of this? clutch alignment? linkage? gearbox mounts? poor DUU design?

the clutch doesn't slip or anything in case thats a cause.

cheers

Toby

since i've owned it my 1.6 octavia hasn't ever had the best gearbox. its been making a whirring noise (its this or a wheel bearing) for maybe two years now and two gear oil changes (with proper VW stuff) haven't revealed any bits of rivet so i'm not overly concerned about usual DUU fare yet.

anyway, the car often doesn't like to go into first and the other gears are hit and miss as to whether they want to engage smoothly or not. they all work but its not as it should be (in comparison with a two year newer 1.6 with the same DUU box). most of these problems get worse with heat / sitting in traffic (but my comparison car gets worse/stiffer to engage too).

what might be the causes of this? clutch alignment? linkage? gearbox mounts? poor DUU design?

the clutch doesn't slip or anything in case thats a cause.

cheers

Toby

check the two hoses which transfer hot water to the heater radiator when the car gets hot those two expand and touch the gear change linkage causing the problem you describe