A question for you guys.

What gearbox codes are good for a replacement gearbox for my vrs.

 

Wullie.

3 hours ago, w.t100 said:

A question for you guys.

What gearbox codes are good for a replacement gearbox for my vrs.

 

Wullie.

 

Oh boy, you're in a world of hurt, the VRS gearbox is almost unique and incredibly hard to find, I think there was an even rarer Polo with that engine and gearbox combination and possibly an extinct Ibiza too but the VRS is the most common.

 

TBH you may end up having to get yours rebuilt unless you sell the car for spares or repair.

If you do Facebook look on the Fabia VRS groups as they are always being broken, 2nd gearboxes go for less than £100.

 

Off the top of my head the gearbox is an 02M, there are a few different 02M versions, code HDS was the common one on the VRS, code FJW was the early VRS and had taller gearing. 

1 minute ago, duck said:

If you do Facebook look on the Fabia VRS groups as they are always being broken, 2nd gearboxes go for less than £100.

 

Off the top of my head the gearbox is an 02M, there are a few different 02M versions, code HDS was the common one on the VRS, code FJW was the early VRS and had taller gearing. 

 

You forgot to tell him they're all KNACKERED. Not a good gearbox.

Why are they not good? I was under the impression the 6th speed is stronger than the 5 speed.

 

Buying 2nd hand is always risky, if money is no object then he may as well just get his gearbox reconditioned by a professional.

11 minutes ago, duck said:

Why are they not good? I was under the impression the 6th speed is stronger than the 5 speed.

 

Buying 2nd hand is always risky, if money is no object then he may as well just get his gearbox reconditioned by a professional.

 

No, the six speed is weak, the torque of even a mildly tuned VRS will wreck it.

Not sure why you think that as definately not my experience. 

Have you had problems with your mildly tuned VRS with 6 speed gearbox? 

2 hours ago, duck said:

Not sure why you think that as definately not my experience. 

Have you had problems with your mildly tuned VRS with 6 speed gearbox? 

 

No, here, there's been tons of problems with them over the last dozen years or more I've been a regular on here and no problems with the five speed in the PD100, in fact the PD100 is by a distance the most reliable drivetrain available in the Fabia although my 2.0 petrol is pretty solid, but then I have a very similar five speed gearbox. The DMF and the six speed box make the VRS drivetrain much less reliable than the PD130 engine itself.

6 hours ago, duck said:

Not sure why you think that as definately not my experience. 

Have you had problems with your mildly tuned VRS with 6 speed gearbox? 

 

When I got my "mildly tuned" vRS I knew the gearbox was "soft" as the dog rings were badly worn and the bearings did not sound great - I nursed it for a year and it eventually went bang - I had lost 4th and then 5th. 

 

I got a second hand box which does crunch in 2nd if you rush the change when cold but apart from that I got somewhat lucky - Its being going well for over 2 years but one night of hard abuse will spell the end for this one as well.

 

I did consider doing a rebuild myself for the experience but after advice here I ditched the plan 

 

When the last box failed I went looking - I was offered an 02M box from a Golf but it was totally different. I have heard that it is possible to swap the internals from a Golf box to the Fabia casing but this is a lot of faffing and there s a certain amount of uncertainty - The casing will crack as well. 

 

Sep is 100% right saying the gearboxes are soft and even a mild tune will stress them - Add in age and miles and you have a perfect storm - You could be lucky in a second hand box or you could be unlucky. Unless you drive the donor car which 95% of the time is impossible it will be a gamble. 

 

 

 

23 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

 

No, here, there's been tons of problems with them over the last dozen years or more I've been a regular on here and no problems with the five speed in the PD100, in fact the PD100 is by a distance the most reliable drivetrain available in the Fabia although my 2.0 petrol is pretty solid, but then I have a very similar five speed gearbox. The DMF and the six speed box make the VRS drivetrain much less reliable than the PD130 engine itself.

To be fair, it's the clutch and DMF that cause most stress. Usually in pursuit of power. The gearbox can suffer from the selectors becoming detached as the rivets (ISTR) can break if driven with no mechanical sympathy. They can be fixed. Jason had a topic on it....erm decade or so ago. Far more parts choice for the 5 speeders and replacement is lighter, cheaper....

13 hours ago, vindaloo said:

To be fair, it's the clutch and DMF that cause most stress. Usually in pursuit of power. The gearbox can suffer from the selectors becoming detached as the rivets (ISTR) can break if driven with no mechanical sympathy. They can be fixed. Jason had a topic on it....erm decade or so ago. Far more parts choice for the 5 speeders and replacement is lighter, cheaper....

 

To be fair I've already pointed that out, I'm trying to be honest with the OP to help him, erm now that erm another decade has passed these erm gearboxes are even LESS reliable than they were then!

 

White knighting for your favourite car really isn't very helpful when impartial advice is being sought.

9 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

 

To be fair I've already pointed that out, I'm trying to be honest with the OP to help him, erm now that erm another decade has passed these erm gearboxes are even LESS reliable than they were then!

 

White knighting for your favourite car really isn't very helpful when impartial advice is being sought.

 

White knighting, LOL.

Just been back over the topic to see if there's stuff I've missed. You are probably right in increasing numbers of cases. Older car, remap plus multiple racer child owners = things blow up. Given the cheapness of generic remaps for the PD130 and the increasing age of the cars.... Something's got to give somewhere. I blame Top Gear.