I have a 52 plate Octavia VRS with 68k on it. I haven't had the car long and I have noticed that it is getting difficult to put it into gear when cold. It also seems that it is more reluctant to go into gear on the move and the biting point of the clutch is fairly high. Does this mean a new clutch is needed or is there anything else I need to consider?

If the answer is a new clutch, does anyone have an idea of the potential cost and have any reccommendations in the Nottingham area?

does sound like clutch to me or possibly the clutch slave cylinder is not holding its pressure or is leaking fluid for repair on both the gearbox has to come out so the bill is gonna be the wrong side of £500 - im in notts the only skoda dealer here is renshaw & newsome near the city hospital

(not queens medical centre) or rainworth motors near mansfield

On my vRS the clutch biting point is high but I think that this is normal and just a feature of the clutch - mine is not showing any signs of slipping yet.

As for the gearbox being stiff when cold - again this is nothing to worry about, just wait a couple of minutes until it warms up then it will slip in easier :naughty:

As said, dont worry about the clutch biting point, it was high on my old octy. The stiff gearbox sounds odd though, mine was always smooth and engaged easily from cold. Can you describe the the feel as you select the gears, maybe the gearbox oil needs changing. Although not specified in the service schedule it can make a difference.

On my vRS 3rd gear can be a little stiff, especially on downchanges from 4th when cold - often it will not go in first time and needs a little coaxing :naughty: but when fully warm it is no problem.

1st is often a little stiff when cold and 2nd may bounce straight out if beasted, even when warm.

For me, 3rd is often the most abused gear in the box as it is easy to make fast 2-3 changes and has the most useful speed range.

Giving the gearbox around 3-5 minutes of continuous driving improves things no end and each gear change becomes much smoother. Is a gearbox oil change an easy DIY job? If so what oil do I require?

To the best of my know how dont you check your clutch by starting the car putting it in 4th gear then rev the nuts off it and let the clutch out fast it the car stalls right away its fine but if it doesnt then a new clutch is needed.

(got the info from used car roadshow) (make sure your handbrake is on real tight and dont park close to a wall etc. Hope someone can also back this up.

possibly the clutch slave cylinder is not holding its pressure or is leaking fluid, the gearbox has to come out

No it doesnt.

Had this on mine - synchro had gone on 2nd and 3rd - replaced under warranty at 128,000

Hi Mate

It is known for clutches to fail on modded cars.

With them being hydralic they can wear a bit quicker.

But then there are some that have had more than their fair share of use out of them.

The problem is , you dont know how the last driver treated the clutch.

It could be worth checking it out with someone else , but I would start saving for a clutch.

Is the car modded at all?

Sarah

my gear changes are pretty notchy and i have intermittent problems with selecting 1st from neutral when the engine has warmed... i've had it into the dealers and they changed the clutch and flywheel under warranty but the problem is still there albeit a little better.

its going back on the 4th of April for a throttle body swap so i'm going to ask them to look at the gear box again.

Thanks everybody for yor advice. My car is not modded (yet!) and is is heartening to hear that other people have experienced similar symptoms. Because it is not causing me any real trouble I think I will leave the clutch alone for the time being. Great forum by the way - I've found it really useful since getting my car.