My six-speed petrol Yeti (65,000 miles) has recently started crunching, intermittently, when downshifting to second. My first instinct was to check that the carpet wasn't fouling the clutch pedal, which was OK.

Last September the main dealer replaced noisey differential bearings diagnosed and repaired under warranty. In dismantling the gearbox, could they have caused this problem? Also could they have not correctly adjusted the gear change mechanism on re-fitting? 

Does a repair at the end of warranty get a year's warranty?

Anyone else have synchro problems?

Maybe they used a heavier grade of gear oil as the replacement......you won't want that in winter.

Does it improve with heat generated by driving it?.

6 hours ago, Ryeman said:

Maybe they used a heavier grade of gear oil as the replacement......you won't want that in winter.

 

It's summer at this end of the planet!  Well, it's supposed to be, anyway.  At the end of the UK that I inhabit, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise..

19 minutes ago, ejstubbs said:

 

It's summer at this end of the planet!  Well, it's supposed to be, anyway.  At the end of the UK that I inhabit, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise..

Ah no, I was indicating what is in future weather wise.....if it's crook now imagine what it'll be like in winter temps (like we currently have)))))

If anything a thicker oil will tend to mask a synchro problem, not exacerbate it.

 

If they only worked on the differential I can't see how they would disturb the 2nd gear assembly, although it is possible I suppose.  It could also be an oil type or level issue.  Or just a worn synchro.

25 minutes ago, weasley said:

If anything a thicker oil will tend to mask a synchro problem, not exacerbate it.

 

 

You're right, a thicker oil just makes it hard work to get into second.........up or down for that matter is my experience.

A thinner one tends to end up with a nasty crunch.

Worn synchro cone at 65,000 miles? Mrs AW is seriously un-amused at the probable cost and inconvenience.  This was the first new car bought with my own money after 38 years in car, van & truck rental where I had company cars. I had read extensively and took notice of the Yeti's consistently high placing in the AutoExpress Driver Power Survey which considers reliability high in its priorities. 

The used 1.6 petrol Fabia I had immediately prior to the Yeti was practically fault free at 70,000 miles and didn't have problems like the Yeti has unfortunately had.

I suppose I could go back to the dealer and try for an out-of-warranty claim but, having had to battle for them (or Skoda - I'm not sure who picked up the bill) to replace the front shock absorbers due to "slight misting of oil" advisory on its first MOT, I don't relish the fight. 

They declined out-of-warranty claim for the driver's heated seat failure in the October after the 31st July 3rd  anniversary of purchase. I argued that the heated seat may well have failed during warranty but we hadn't used it since around Easter but they didn't agree! 

Oh, well - let's see what they say next week.

On 07/07/2017 at 10:04, Ryeman said:

imagine what it'll be like in winter temps (like we currently have)))))

 

Do you get winters like this?

 

 

That was the first winter after I got my Yeti.  The weather was so bad across the UK that the winter tyres I'd ordered couldn't be delivered until most of the snow had gone!

 

It's not been as spectacularly wintry as that since, mind.  Last winter was hardly even noticeable as such.

 

Note also the reg on my neighbour's car.  The "TN07" leading group was a one-off imposed by the DVLA: Scottish plates normally begin with an "S", but someone worked out that "SN07" could be read as something rather unpleasant/rude...

^^^^^We have had a couple of -5*C recently but we are too low for snow.......currently just a bit misty miserable sub 10s.

Never mind the weather forecasts, wot about my gear crunching?

 

Is it a cable clutch? Could it be adjustment?

4 minutes ago, awfabia said:

Never mind the weather forecasts, wot about my gear crunching?

 

Is it a cable clutch? Could it be adjustment?

Sorry about the diversion 

Where is the take-up point of the clutch?.

 

Yes, I've thought that the clutch may be wearing and the "bite point" may be causing the problem but it doesn't seem to be higher than previously.

 

Spent some time under bonnet today, it would seem that it's hydraulic and uses the same fluid as the brakes. Can't see any adjustment and there isn't normally with a hydraulic clutch. Looks as if there is adjustment on the two gear change cables but don't want to alter anything in case I make it worse. Is it likely to be cable adjustment?

 

If I were cynical, the dealership would just say it needed a new clutch and then adjust everything after putting the gearbox back.

Although we've covered a large mileage in four years, we live in the country not in town or city where premature clutch wear could be anticipated.

Neither of us has a propensity to slip the clutch.

 

Any more comments appreciated.

2 minutes ago, awfabia said:

Yes, I've thought that the clutch may be wearing and the "bite point" may be causing the problem but it doesn't seem to be higher than previously.

 

Spent some time under bonnet today, it would seem that it's hydraulic and uses the same fluid as the brakes. Can't see any adjustment and there isn't normally with a hydraulic clutch. Looks as if there is adjustment on the two gear change cables but don't want to alter anything in case I make it worse. Is it likely to be cable adjustment?

 

If I were cynical, the dealership would just say it needed a new clutch and then adjust everything after putting the gearbox back.

Although we've covered a large mileage in four years, we live in the country not in town or city where premature clutch wear could be anticipated.

Neither of us has a propensity to slip the clutch.

 

Any more comments appreciated.

I thought it was a hydraulic system rather than cable, but in any case if the bight point is somewhere mid-travel then it's not likely to be a clutch release issue, I wouldn't think.

Thin oil at temperature is a challenge for sychros in my experience, but a dealer should know to use the appropriate grade. Either way it looks like a visit. Fingers crossed 

Do the hydraulic clutch mechanisms require bleeding ?

 

If it's been in for work on the gearbox, I'd probably drain and fill with pukka gearbox oil, to make sure it's got the right stuff in.

I've read many a post about crunchy VAG gearboxes over the years working best with genuine oil. It's not cheap though.

It's a relatively simple task to try, and eliminate, before moving onto more worrying things. Also, if the noise is as a result of some debris floating about, a drain/refill could get rid of it.

 

 

Edited 10 July, 20179 yr by muddyboots

31 minutes ago, muddyboots said:

I've read many a post about crunchy VAG gearboxes over the years working best with genuine oil...

 

I seem to remember a post in the Roomster section (or was it Fabia?) where a change of gearbox oil cured second gear crunch.

I'm not sure how relevant it is to Yeti, but it's probably worth a try.

AW, warranty work after a repair or service carries a 12 month cover, but only on the exact work and parts carried out. Before my Yeti, I had a Golf TDi with a six speed box. Don`t do massive miles a year but after 6 years and only 45k on the clock, the change up and down to 2nd produced a crunch. Double de-clutching worked!! Eventually traded it in and the dealer just took it as normal wear and tear in his assessment. I have heard that the 6 box from VW does have issues with synchro on 2nd on other forums.

Warranty work on a Skoda is under warranty until the Manufacturers Warranty Expires, so in the UK if the Warranty work is done when the car is 2 1/2 years old there is 6 months warranty.

If 6 weeks before 3 years, then 6 weeks warranty.

http://skoda.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Brochures/Warranty-Booklet-single.pdf 

See page 6.

 

If you or a after market warranty underwriter is paying there is 2 years warranty on the parts and the garage should be guaranteeing their work for 12 months, 

that becomes open to argument only too often though.

As for Skoda Manufacturers Warranrt work going wrong, too often Skoda UK put the blame back on their Official Dealerships if something goes wrong.

Edited 10 July, 20179 yr by Awayoffski

My gearbox crunches (intermittently) when selecting 2nd.  Thus far I haven't been able/arsed to get a quote for it to be fixed, fearing that anything near the expected £1k+ would simply not be worth it on my '59 plate car.  Instead I tend to avoid using 2nd gear completely, especially when high revving.  I had the gearbox oil changed a year or so ago and it made no difference....my car's done 65k.

 

I've heard this isn't an entirely uncommon occurrence for a VAG 6spd 'box.

7 minutes ago, BobbyG79 said:

My gearbox crunches (intermittently) when selecting 2nd.  Thus far I haven't been able/arsed to get a quote for it to be fixed, fearing that anything near the expected £1k+ would simply not be worth it on my '59 plate car.  Instead I tend to avoid using 2nd gear completely, especially when high revving.  I had the gearbox oil changed a year or so ago and it made no difference....my car's done 65k.

 

I've heard this isn't an entirely uncommon occurrence for a VAG 6spd 'box.

You almost wonder if oils today with their anti-wear properties are not enabling the synchro cones to grip and speed up the gears for meshing smoothly.

The one way to minimise the clash is double de clutching, but that's just covering up the problem.

 

AW, page 6 states that replacement parts have a warranty of 2 years in UK from the date of purchase. The company want to encourage people to fit Skoda parts and must therefore attract them with a warranty. Sure you could go to Bodge`n Fixit garage at a cheaper price on a pattern part but he won`t give you 2 years warranty.

Here in Germany, after I have the Yeti serviced and the book stamped, the car is under Skoda warranty against breakdown until the next service. This includes recovery back to the garage from any location in the country.

Re your gearbox problem, you could search out a specialist box rebuilder. Most dealers farm out this work, especially on autos, as it saves them money in the long run in not having to train people to do it. 

Returned to supplying and repairing dealer, very helpful Master Tech roadtested and adjusted the gear linkage as he thought the "gate" was not correctly set ( possibly after gearbox refitted having differential bearings replaced ) .  Done about 800 miles since without crunching into second. Result!

Not all main dealers are unhelpful, devious, lacking skill, rip-off merchants as some would like to portray them. And their coffee is great, too!

Result!  Good to hear.

 

I am reasonably confident my own main dealer would have been equally helpful in the same situation.

AWFABIA

Please say who the dealership/garage was so we can all benefit from possibly using them.

(must say my dealership workshop seem a bit wanting in the knowledge side......they didn't know there should have been a small cover on the bottom of the bell-housing covering the bottom bit of the flywheel....."oh no sir they don't have one".........Oh yes they do it had been left off by a previous garage doing a quick problem diagnosis....fortunately found and after profuse apologies fitted back on.) (This was after fitting the new replacement engine after the timing chain debacle and usual "oh no we have never heard of timing chain problems"..........liars.)

 

4 hours ago, awfabia said:

Returned to supplying and repairing dealer, very helpful Master Tech roadtested and adjusted the gear linkage as he thought the "gate" was not correctly set ( possibly after gearbox refitted having differential bearings replaced ) .  Done about 800 miles since without crunching into second. Result!

Not all main dealers are unhelpful, devious, lacking skill, rip-off merchants as some would like to portray them. And their coffee is great, too!

Brilliant, that's the sort of result that you want.