Clutch or Gearbox problem? Or Simpler than it seems?

[Yusef]

​Hi fellow Skodians

 

I need massive help, as I am literally on verge of needing anger management classes lol.

 

I have bought a Fabia Mk1 vRS on 25th/08/16. It has been fine until about week and half ago, there are some issues and I've spoken to local garages and mechanics and I would like your opinions on things as fellow Skoda owners.

 

Car Spec;

EGR Delete, Stage one remap (166BHP, 400nm - which is 290ish lb/ft?-), rest pretty much standard, I think the exhaust has been decatted as well but exhaust looks standard.

 

When the car is cold, changing gears is fine, when it reaches its temperature, the car will stick in 1st or reverse, as if the clutch does not want to let go, sometimes I have to switch engine off and on to release from reverse, reverse sometimes makes whiny noise when realising clutch quckly, 1st gear I have to force it out to neutral or drive on it then change into 2nd. I sometimes get slippage when changing gear as in revs go up but no speed increase. Sometimes I put my foot down and it pulls crazy without problems.

 

Sometimes at traffic light when in 1st, clutch is pressed fully down and it creeps forward, won't release back into neutral.

 

Now when changing gears, if you let clutch out slowly it makes a grinding buzzing noise, between 1,000 to 2,000 RPMs. If I am in second or 3rd, after gear change, the noise will persist unless I increase the RPMs which then if it falls back down to 1-2k RPMs, it won't make the noise.

 

Most of the garages are saying a new clutch is needed etc. Previous owner works for Skoda and said the clutch has been converted into a SMF in April '16, he even gave me the old DMF kit. One garage said the gearbox has been tampered with when he changed my CV Joint and Boot.

 

Researching these symptoms and I'm finding people saying to do the shim mod on the gearbox, however, I have no clue as how to do it or where to start. Some people have gone through changing bearings, slaves etc. and still having problems, some have done shim mod and still have this problem

 

What do I need to do for it to go away? Do I need a new clutch or does the gearbox have to be removed and inspected? or is it simpler than it seems? As I do not want to just chuck money and keep on having problems.

 

I use this car as a daily and sometimes I do lots of miles within a day, stop start miles (delivery driving sometimes).

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[coiner]

 

 

Sometimes at traffic light when in 1st, clutch is pressed fully down and it creeps forward, won't release back into neutral.

 

 

 

Mine was doing that and now its in the garage needing a new gearbox! Mine has a SMF too.

 

I've got little mechanical knowledge but maybe its the early signs of the gearbox failing? Hopefully not though. 

Edited 5 October, 2016 by coiner

[SuperbTWM]

sounds like the clutch is dragging to me. You want to get it sorted before you knacker up the gearbox.

 

Might be as simple as a slave or master cylinder issue but it needs diagnosing properly first rather than going straight in there and removing the gearbox. You could start by bleeding the clutch.

 

With it being affected by temperature though it could be a clearance issue between the clutch and flywheel.

Edited 5 October, 2016 by SuperbTWM

[Yusef]

Ouch! How much are they quoting you for the new gearbox? Are the gearboxes on these fabia's known to go or is it a case of just a bad pick?

My mechanic said to change the clutch kit and if gearbox goes, then you can keep new clutch or change both together. Same £££ charge for labour, how bad can a gearbox failure affect engine?

Cheers

[Yusef]

sounds like the clutch is dragging to me. You want to get it sorted before you knacker up the gearbox.

Might be as simple as a slave or master cylinder issue but it needs diagnosing properly first rather than going straight in there and removing the gearbox. You could start by bleeding the clutch.

With it being affected by temperature though it could be a clearance issue between the clutch and flywheel.

I will search a DIY for bleeding clutch and try it, thank you.

Is there other methods of diagnosing it?

[badger89]

Check this out first - http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?6089802-02M-whining-decel-noises-aftermarket-clutch-disengagement-issues-mainshaft-axial-play

 

I suffered the same problem, £10 later and it was fixed!

[coiner]

Ouch! How much are they quoting you for the new gearbox? Are the gearboxes on these fabia's known to go or is it a case of just a bad pick?

 

 

Im looking at putting in a second hand gear box, around £300 quid, plus labour of around £250

 

Im wondering if the clutch destroyed the gear box somehow.

Edited 5 October, 2016 by coiner

[Yusef]

Check this out first - http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?6089802-02M-whining-decel-noises-aftermarket-clutch-disengagement-issues-mainshaft-axial-play

I suffered the same problem, £10 later and it was fixed!

Thank you, I will give it a read & get back to you

[Yusef]

Im looking at putting in a second hand gear box, around £300 quid, plus labour of around £250

Im wondering if the clutch destroyed the gear box somehow.

Doesn't seem that expensive but would rather avoid the big bills and expenses. £250 for la our? I've been quoted £160 for labour if I change gearbox or clutch as its both pretty much same steps of removing and fixing/replacing etc.

Was the clutch on the way out as well or? I will definitely get it done and sorted asap. Thank you

[KenONeill]

Doesn't seem that expensive but would rather avoid the big bills and expenses. £250 for la our? I've been quoted £160 for labour if I change gearbox or clutch as its both pretty much same steps of removing and fixing/replacing etc.

Was the clutch on the way out as well or? I will definitely get it done and sorted asap. Thank you

Your symptoms make me think of "clutch drag", which is normally caused by the clutch needing bleeding, or one of the hydraulic cylinders (normally the slave) being worn out. All of which is way cheaper than a replacement clutch and/or gearbox.