Hi all, 

New to the forum! :)

 

Just bought a 2015 Skoda Fabia TDI SE 1.4 diesel. One owner, full service history, and only 20k on the clock. 

 

A bit worried about a noise in 3rd gear though. I can hear a faint whine when in 3rd gear at roughly 30mph. When I step on the gas to go faster than 30mph or decrease the speed to 20mph, the sound disappears. 

Gears are all super smooth and no notchyness etc. Clutch also feels fine. Although if I depress the clutch in 3rd this faint whine disappears. Again this faint whine is only really there in third, although it starts developing when in 2nd and revs are high and you're due to change to 3rd. Is this sound turbo related? I feel I may be panicking for nothing but could it be a worn bearing? Struggling to see how this could be given the condition and low mileage of the vehicle. As said the sound is faint and not there when I step on the gas. It's only really there when coasting in 3rd at roughly 30mph.

 

Any advice is appreciated. 

 

Cheers, 

Martin. 

Sadly, I reckon that that is a potential "feature" or "characteristic" of these horrible cheap nasty VW Group modern gearboxes, the 6 speed ones at least!

 

I'm sure that my wife's August 2015 Polo 1.2TSI 110PS only started doing that after it had been forced back into the VW dealership for a proper/correct fix for an annoying amount of transmission shunt caused by either a faulty gearbox mounting or an unsuitable gearbox mounting, it came back out with a TDI gearbox mounting - that was a warranty repair! Probably heavy use/abuse by the workshop team forced that feature to appear on that car, or just co-incidence!

4 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

Sadly, I reckon that that is a potential "feature" or "characteristic" of these horrible cheap nasty VW Group modern gearboxes, the 6 speed ones at least!

 

I'm sure that my wife's August 2015 Polo 1.2TSI 110PS only started doing that after it had been forced back into the VW dealership for a proper/correct fix for an annoying amount of transmission shunt caused by either a faulty gearbox mounting or an unsuitable gearbox mounting, it came back out with a TDI gearbox mounting - that was a warranty repair! Probably heavy use/abuse by the workshop team forced that feature to appear on that car, or just co-incidence!

 

Hi buddy, 

Do you have any advice on my particular case? It's 5 speed manual. As said the gears are so smooth changing and it is a dream to drive. I hope I am just overthinking. 

Not really though there are many complaints about both the 5 speed and 6 speed gearboxes on these Fabia, Polo and Ibiza (same age)  in these motoring forums. I seem to remember that nasty issue that when the bearing go completely they wreck the gearbox casing so rebuilding becomes a bit trickier and so very expensive, so just hope to stay lucky.

2 hours ago, rum4mo said:

Not really though there are many complaints about both the 5 speed and 6 speed gearboxes on these Fabia, Polo and Ibiza (same age)  in these motoring forums. I seem to remember that nasty issue that when the bearing go completely they wreck the gearbox casing so rebuilding becomes a bit trickier and so very expensive, so just hope to stay lucky.

 

I feel both of your replies have been cryptic and not of use, to say the least. Thank you for taking time to reply though. 

8 hours ago, MartinMMorgan said:

 

I feel both of your replies have been cryptic and not of use, to say the least. Thank you for taking time to reply though. 

 

No cryptic thoughts intended, I've thought all that about the gearbox or indeed the complete clutch and gearbox setup on that 2015 Polo very soon after buying it new, ie I would not be surprised or shocked if I needed to get that area sorted out while my wife runs that car, it is just the way it is. Unfortunately some others on these forums have found issues with and even had to get the clutch replaced and/or the gearbox replaced, so this issue remains in the back of my mind as a "when" and not "if" I need to spend time and money on it.

 

Your postings so far on this have not exactly been anything other than general statements on how you are finding that gearbox, creating a thread on any forum and thinking that anyone could give you a short quick and cheap repair to this issue is not going to happen, I was just trying to support your thoughts with mine - so were both of us being cryptic?

Edited 20 July, 20214 yr by rum4mo

ETA: I was still typing this as @rum4mo posted.

 

Martin as you can appreciate sounds are often difficult to diagnose especially over written posts.  Having had "classic" (over priced and valued old cars) I feel the same advice I give for those with low mileage applies to modern cars too.  Low mileage can mean lots of very short length journeys and possibly very few or no reasonable or long length journeys.  On short journeys the engine oil might not warm enough, if around town proportionately there'd be lots more gear changing per mile and possibly more (lighter) braking so the vehicle actually needs proportionately more attention and servicing than higher mileage vehicles, certainly per mile.

 

What you're hearing might be something or relatively nothing but what I done for my wife's 2015, 38K-mile, 5-speed, Fabia (with no problems) was to change the transmission oil, a relatively easy job (otherwise it'd be beyond me) and low cost job.  She said she noticed an improvement in the feel of the gear changes and she wouldn't just say that to please me.  Now I see you've put the gears are smooth changing but again this is relative and you might also say the engine seems to be running fine but I bet you'd still have the engine oil changed.

 

I'm not suggesting changing the oil will cure any design or build fault but it will help to maintain the transmission and possibly keep it in better condition for longer - and if you empty out the existing oil you can see what condition it's in and if they are any bits in it..

 

Same applies to engine oil and the coolant, usually it's just tested for it's antifreeze capability but that's not the only job the coolant carries out, I've bought coolant to change on my wife's even thought the dealership has made no mention of changing it.

 

With a low mileage modern diesel it'd need some blow-out "Italian tune-up" runs or it'd clog itself up especially if it's always run on standard diesel and never gets cleaning additives.  I'd ensure the air filter is changed as regularly as require for it's use and consider cleaning the MAF sensor, again often a very easy job (once you've worked how to get to it).

 

Of course the engine and transmission are relatively unimportant  compared to brakes, steering, suspension, lights, horn and windows.

 

Brake fluid is serviced changed at every two years (after the first 3 IIRC) but can be forgotten about, one person's (and seller's) full service history may vary to another's interpretation of such, to some an engine oil & filter change is a full service.

 

Tyres - are an often overlooked complex component on a vehicle, they effect the braking, steering, suspension, road hold and handling, comfort and noise.  Despite having lots of tread left on them they can go hard from age and/or lack of use compromising their performance, which you particularly don't want for braking, road hold and handling.

 

I know you didn't ask about all this but I've no idea how much you know about cars generally and how many other Fabia TDI SE 1.4 diesels you have driven as a comparison to yours to know, well, er, how it compares - the noise might just be the turbo but I don't know at what revs it kicks in and out on your vehicle.

 

HTH, cheers, Nigel

 

Edited 20 July, 20214 yr by nta16
ETA:

On 20/07/2021 at 09:50, nta16 said:

ETA: I was still typing this as @rum4mo posted.

 

Martin as you can appreciate sounds are often difficult to diagnose especially over written posts.  Having had "classic" (over priced and valued old cars) I feel the same advice I give for those with low mileage applies to modern cars too.  Low mileage can mean lots of very short length journeys and possibly very few or no reasonable or long length journeys.  On short journeys the engine oil might not warm enough, if around town proportionately there'd be lots more gear changing per mile and possibly more (lighter) braking so the vehicle actually needs proportionately more attention and servicing than higher mileage vehicles, certainly per mile.

 

What you're hearing might be something or relatively nothing but what I done for my wife's 2015, 38K-mile, 5-speed, Fabia (with no problems) was to change the transmission oil, a relatively easy job (otherwise it'd be beyond me) and low cost job.  She said she noticed an improvement in the feel of the gear changes and she wouldn't just say that to please me.  Now I see you've put the gears are smooth changing but again this is relative and you might also say the engine seems to be running fine but I bet you'd still have the engine oil changed.

 

I'm not suggesting changing the oil will cure any design or build fault but it will help to maintain the transmission and possibly keep it in better condition for longer - and if you empty out the existing oil you can see what condition it's in and if they are any bits in it..

 

Same applies to engine oil and the coolant, usually it's just tested for it's antifreeze capability but that's not the only job the coolant carries out, I've bought coolant to change on my wife's even thought the dealership has made no mention of changing it.

 

With a low mileage modern diesel it'd need some blow-out "Italian tune-up" runs or it'd clog itself up especially if it's always run on standard diesel and never gets cleaning additives.  I'd ensure the air filter is changed as regularly as require for it's use and consider cleaning the MAF sensor, again often a very easy job (once you've worked how to get to it).

 

Of course the engine and transmission are relatively unimportant  compared to brakes, steering, suspension, lights, horn and windows.

 

Brake fluid is serviced changed at every two years (after the first 3 IIRC) but can be forgotten about, one person's (and seller's) full service history may vary to another's interpretation of such, to some an engine oil & filter change is a full service.

 

Tyres - are an often overlooked complex component on a vehicle, they effect the braking, steering, suspension, road hold and handling, comfort and noise.  Despite having lots of tread left on them they can go hard from age and/or lack of use compromising their performance, which you particularly don't want for braking, road hold and handling.

 

I know you didn't ask about all this but I've no idea how much you know about cars generally and how many other Fabia TDI SE 1.4 diesels you have driven as a comparison to yours to know, well, er, how it compares - the noise might just be the turbo but I don't know at what revs it kicks in and out on your vehicle.

 

HTH, cheers, Nigel

 

Hi Nigel, 

I've not drove other TDI Fabia's. I was tempted to think it may be the turbo and perhaps I'm not noticing it in other gears due to naturally being at higher speeds. I'm not trying to step on anyones toes and appreciate all the replies I've received, so I apologise if I've offended anyone. 

 

I've attached the noise underneath (this is in between change from 2nd to 3rd - a bit difficult to hear but a high pitched hum in the background.) 

 

car sound Ringtone.m4a

Just now, MartinMMorgan said:

Hi Nigel, 

I've not drove other TDI Fabia's. I was tempted to think it may be the turbo and perhaps I'm not noticing it in other gears due to naturally being at higher speeds. I'm not trying to step on anyones toes and appreciate all the replies I've received, so I apologise if I've offended anyone. 

 

I've attached the noise underneath (this is in between change from 2nd to 3rd - a bit difficult to hear but a high pitched hum in the background.) 

 

car sound Ringtone.m4a 193.67 kB · 0 downloads

 

On 20/07/2021 at 09:50, nta16 said:

ETA: I was still typing this as @rum4mo posted.

 

Martin as you can appreciate sounds are often difficult to diagnose especially over written posts.  Having had "classic" (over priced and valued old cars) I feel the same advice I give for those with low mileage applies to modern cars too.  Low mileage can mean lots of very short length journeys and possibly very few or no reasonable or long length journeys.  On short journeys the engine oil might not warm enough, if around town proportionately there'd be lots more gear changing per mile and possibly more (lighter) braking so the vehicle actually needs proportionately more attention and servicing than higher mileage vehicles, certainly per mile.

 

What you're hearing might be something or relatively nothing but what I done for my wife's 2015, 38K-mile, 5-speed, Fabia (with no problems) was to change the transmission oil, a relatively easy job (otherwise it'd be beyond me) and low cost job.  She said she noticed an improvement in the feel of the gear changes and she wouldn't just say that to please me.  Now I see you've put the gears are smooth changing but again this is relative and you might also say the engine seems to be running fine but I bet you'd still have the engine oil changed.

 

I'm not suggesting changing the oil will cure any design or build fault but it will help to maintain the transmission and possibly keep it in better condition for longer - and if you empty out the existing oil you can see what condition it's in and if they are any bits in it..

 

Same applies to engine oil and the coolant, usually it's just tested for it's antifreeze capability but that's not the only job the coolant carries out, I've bought coolant to change on my wife's even thought the dealership has made no mention of changing it.

 

With a low mileage modern diesel it'd need some blow-out "Italian tune-up" runs or it'd clog itself up especially if it's always run on standard diesel and never gets cleaning additives.  I'd ensure the air filter is changed as regularly as require for it's use and consider cleaning the MAF sensor, again often a very easy job (once you've worked how to get to it).

 

Of course the engine and transmission are relatively unimportant  compared to brakes, steering, suspension, lights, horn and windows.

 

Brake fluid is serviced changed at every two years (after the first 3 IIRC) but can be forgotten about, one person's (and seller's) full service history may vary to another's interpretation of such, to some an engine oil & filter change is a full service.

 

Tyres - are an often overlooked complex component on a vehicle, they effect the braking, steering, suspension, road hold and handling, comfort and noise.  Despite having lots of tread left on them they can go hard from age and/or lack of use compromising their performance, which you particularly don't want for braking, road hold and handling.

 

I know you didn't ask about all this but I've no idea how much you know about cars generally and how many other Fabia TDI SE 1.4 diesels you have driven as a comparison to yours to know, well, er, how it compares - the noise might just be the turbo but I don't know at what revs it kicks in and out on your vehicle.

 

HTH, cheers, Nigel

 

 

Also I totally agree with you. Most do believe oil and filter is a full service which is crazy. I'm pretty informed with cars (still learning and a lot to learn mind lol) but I manage a lot myself despite being more comfortable with motorbikes. 

 

Also the attached audio, the sound is most prominent between 5 and 6 seconds.  

On 22/07/2021 at 19:37, MartinMMorgan said:

I'm not trying to step on anyones toes and appreciate all the replies I've received, so I apologise if I've offended anyone. 

 

I've attached the noise underneath (this is in between change from 2nd to 3rd - a bit difficult to hear but a high pitched hum in the background.) 

 

car sound Ringtone.m4a 193.67 kB · 5 downloads

@MartinMMorgan You've not offended me and I don't think anyone else.

 

Listening to the recording, to me and I'm not an expert in anything or a mechanic, it does just sound like turbo but it could also be something else, wind whistle, blower fan, air-con.  If the sound is at the revs the turbo operates at then I think it's probably that.  Try keeping below those revs in 3rd for 30 mph, you could easily be in 4th below 30mph most times.  Even in petrol cars you can go at low revs that you'd think might labour or stall the engine and it doesn't.  My wife can be in 5th at 35mph in her petrol Fabia.