Roomster has gearbox problems

[wickerman1138]

Hi,

When going from 1st to 2nd gear the gearbox on our Roomster would make a crunching sound and the movement of the gear stick would be awkward (I'm being really technical here). To avoid this we would have to push the pedal down and then wait a second and then slowly change gear. Then the crunching and stiffness would be less. We took it in for its service and told them about this problem and then got a call later saying that Skoda were going to pay some of the cost of fixing it and that several other Roomsters they had seen had a similar problem. Obviously if this is a problem with the car then we think they should pay for all the repair but about to go on holiday and will deal with it on our return. Has anyone heard about similar problems? They said it was a problem with the Synchromesh. The car is only 3/4 years old.

Thanks!

[tuscan30]

Which engine / gearbox combo is it ?

Diesel or petrol ?

Have you tried adjusting the gearbox selector cables to improve the quality of the change ?

[The PM]

Certainly not a problem I've heard of before... The gearboxes are pretty bulletproof... I'd ask for costs and what Skoda's input will be before proceeding... If its over 3 years old then its out of warranty but sounds as if Skoda are doing the right thing...

[hertsnminds]

SWMBO had a similar problem with her MX-5 but this was fixed under warranty. As with all things mechanical it is possible for something to fail. However, if you are being told it is a "known" issue then the people who know about the problem should be fixing it. It may well be there was a batch of sub standard parts that are failing on all the cars they were fitted to, either way Skoda even putting up part of the cost sound like an admission that something is not right.

For a technical explanation of how a synchromesh works see this wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchromesh#Synchromesh

Edited 4 August, 2011 by hertsnminds

[tuscan30]

You'd think there would be something about it in the Fabia forum if it was an issue (same engines and boxes) but the only thing that comes up on a search is the selector cable adjustment video. That was posted in response to someone mentioning poor gearchange from 1st to 2nd.

Accelerating briskly away from lights in my 1.4TDi (2006 / 40,000mls) I can beat the synchro changing from 1 to 2.

This has only started recently and so far I try and avoid quick changes but will get under it and check out a few things to try and improve it. Gearbox mount bush and the console bushes may be getting weak by now. Will probably change the transmission oil too as it's a cheap and easy thing to do. Hope it's not a synchro fault as that's getting out of my league for DIY.

[farandaway]

I haven't used the forum for probably two years but now I have a couple of problems with my 57 reg Roomster 1.9 TDi.

The symptoms are the exactly the same as experienced by Wickerman1138. Beating the syncro from first to second esp. when the car's really hot. This only started about two months ago.

I emailed a local gearbox specialist who commented that this problem with the five speed box is 'not uncommon'. It is likely to be a failed 2nd. gear syncro ring. Interestingly I have spoken to both the supplying dealer and Skoda UK about this before I wrote to the specialist. The dealer said he could find nothing wrong and Skoda UK said take it to your local dealer! Now I read it's a known fault, I'll be right back to them.

Incidentally, the gearbox specialist said it would cost £516 inc. Vat to repair. My car is less than four years old and has only covered 41k miles, mostlynot on short trips in traffic!

The other problem concerns the parking sensors. Both 'outside' ones have been replaced. One under warranty, the other I had to pay for (outside 3yrs) The system fails only after standing in my drive in heavy rain, not whilst driving in heavy rain. The warning noise and the black bars come on continuously when the car is in reverse. The black bars only on the side of the 'failed' sensor. I believe this is because the sensors are not sealed sufficiently. Last time it happened I used a hot air blower to dry them out. I used this from the outside of the bumper. After waiting a while I tested it and ....problem solved but I'm not doing this every time. It's back to the dealer to suggest he does a better job of sealing the sensors. Really reluctant to do thiss because it's a 70 mile round trip so it costs me every visit.

[Tudor M.]

Hello to all !

I have a 2007 1.4 TDI Roomster with a five speed manual gearbox and ~47.000 Km on it.

I'm experiencing very similar problems to those mentioned by the topic starter: after driving it for 1-2 hours crunching noises start appearing when shifting from first to second (only in this order, never from third to second !!). If i change gears slowly (2-3 seconds after depressing the clutch) it shifts OK. It seems that the effect is temperature related as 'farandaway' mentioned.

At first i suspected a hydraulic problem in the clutch assembly and unsuccessfully tried to bleed it (i stopped because i can't figure out if it shares the brake fluid reservoir or not; DOES IT ???). But now you've given me reason to worry !

Could someone please tell me if such a behavior might be caused by the temperature dependence of the friction coefficient of the synchromesh ? Would there be any improvement if i change the gearbox oil (which was never replaced as far as i know) or does the gearbox have to be taken apart and the synchronizer ring replaced ?

And also, taking into account all the symptoms, is there any chance that the clutch hydraulics are at fault ?

I will appreciate any suggestions !

[Calomax]

I had the same problem with my old Spacewagon, so I just double declutched when changing up from 1st to second. But it did reduce it's trade-in value by £300 2 1/2 years ago. It's still being driven round though, so if you don't want to pay for the repairs, it will probably keep going.

[wilbur]

Hi all,

I brought this up over 2 years ago and nobody else on here seemed to have a gearbox problem. Mine has crunched between 1st and 2nd at just over 3 years old and 27,000 miles on the clock. As has been said, it is not getting any worse and I double declutch.

Has anyone successfully adjusted the gear selection cable to prevent this problem, or at least minimise it ?

[tuscan30]

Changing the gearbox oil cured this problem entirely on my 1.4Tdi.

I was sceptical whether it would have much effect but it certainly did.

It took a bit less than two bottles of g/box oil and cost around twelve quid if memory serves (got it from TPS)

Once the oil was replaced I never had to worry about beating the synchromesh again, even on quick getaways from the lights.

Well worth a try.

[lemonvrs]

Mine does this at 8800 miles, by changing gear slowly I can avoid it.... my old Fabia was fine.

[grafitti]

I'm noticing the same problem on mine... 1.9TDi, crunching between 1st and 2nd if I change straight through.. ie: briskly pulling away from a standstill. Giving it a half second between exiting 1st and entering second, it's completely silent. I think I'll keep it as is for now as so long as i remember to change slowly it doesn't happen. Maybe by next year at service time I'll have them look at it. I'm not mechanically competent enough to attempt it myself. :wonder:

[Calomax]

Mine does this at 8800 miles, by changing gear slowly I can avoid it.... my old Fabia was fine.

Surely that should be fixed under guarantee.

[wilbur]

In the Fabia section there is a video showing how to adjust the gear linkage correctly (on the 5th page I think). It does not look difficult to do and might solve the problem for some owners. When I get mine back from the garage, I might give it a try.

[wilbur]

I gave the car a good run out today and the thicker gearbox oil has made a big difference...... no crunching at all.

Thanks tuscan30

[tuscan30]

You're welcome wilbur.

Nice to find a simple solution for once eh?

[MCD555]

Hi All,

I've experienced the same problem last year (2011) on mine Rommster 1.9 TDI (jul 2006) at about 22k miles (more or less 35k km).

Skoda doesn't have any official evidence of this (they said "we have any notice about this on our databeses") but proposed:

a. change of gear box oil

b. examination of the entire gear box with two options: one or more new synchronizer ring/fork, a new 1st and 2nd gear sprockets and latest a new (or recondiotioned one) gear box ... the costs for this start from about 500 euro (350 £) up to 3000 euro (more than 2200 £)!!!!

I choose the oil change choice and, 'til now (or better, since July 2011 and after about 5k miles), the gear works well...

Hope this helps!

[stratosg]

Wow they lost their minds. A gearbox from a scrap yard costs way far less. You can also try asking an independent VAG service specialist for the cost just to have a second opinion.

[lemonvrs]

Interestingly there is an article in Auto Express in Aprils special issue, all about buying used Roomsters. They mention second gear syncro failiures as an issue. So, Skoda there is a problem after all!

Mines got better in this warmer weather, weird.

[raytup]

this gearbox problem seems to be on the 1.9 / 1.6 TDIs , has anyone had gearbox problems with the TSI petrol

[tuscan30]

The 1.4 Tdi can suffer from it too - mine did. A change of gearbox oil cured it for the remainder of the time that I kept the car.

[MCD555]

I agree, Skoda (i.e. VW) already know about this kind of issue, particular about the 1.9 TDI: I read about the same issue on Golf IV.

Now I'm fine with the "oil change" solution and I've already ask to an independent VAG that costs a lot less (but still a lot...)!

Anyway, I'm still crossing the fingers!

[imalakasiotis]

I agree, Skoda (i.e. VW) already know about this kind of issue, particular about the 1.9 TDI: I read about the same issue on Golf IV.

Now I'm fine with the "oil change" solution and I've already ask to an independent VAG that costs a lot less (but still a lot...)!

Anyway, I'm still crossing the fingers!

how often do you change gearbox oil?

[bobspark]

Normally the gearbox oil would last the life of the car.

But having read the above , I will add it to my DIY maintenance plan and change it at 35 to 40k.

Gearbox oil is no cost compared to a new gearbox.

[MCD555]

Yes, gear oil shouldn't need a change (usually) ...

I've never change the gearbox oil by myself, is it difficult?

A step by step would be very appreciated!!!

Until now just make ordinary maintenance (engine oil change, filters and so...)