When i bought my 51 plate vRS last July, i noticed engaging reverse gear was slightly harder than the rest, but didnt think anything of it.

Now, 7 months later it has got much worse, engaging reverse is hard, 1st to 2nd is not great, and engaging 1st is near impossible. The missus is struggling to drive it now.

Any ideas what might cure this, funds are tight at the mo and i cant afford another trip to my local Skoda garage for a while. Any help greatly appreciated

Sounds like my car Carl! It could be air in the system. Do you notice when pressing the clutch pedal it is initially soft? You might get the system bled. Could be the master or slave cylinder aswell - check for any fluid leaks around these. It probably is clutch related - was the clutch ever changed? How many miles have you done?

It could also be the dog bone mounting. As when people have changed it they noticed that 1st in perticular was easier to engage

There've been a few posts regarding this problem.

My clutch feels fine but the gear change sometimes feels like the slot isn't there.

I found this article helped me;

Shifting Technique

- the 'getting into gear at a stop' and 'note on getting into reverse' bits.

Reading this I think it's the syncromesh but then I'm no expert.

BUT I'm having my gearbox oil replaced on Thursday so I'll report back....

Sounds like my car Carl! It could be air in the system. Do you notice when pressing the clutch pedal it is initially soft? You might get the system bled. Could be the master or slave cylinder aswell - check for any fluid leaks around these. It probably is clutch related - was the clutch ever changed? How many miles have you done?

I believe its the original clutch, its done 65000. I haven't driven it for ages so i'll ask the missus about the clutch pedal. Thanks or your reply

There've been a few posts regarding this problem.

My clutch feels fine but the gear change sometimes feels like the slot isn't there.

I found this article helped me;

Shifting Technique

- the 'getting into gear at a stop' and 'note on getting into reverse' bits.

Reading this I think it's the syncromesh but then I'm no expert.

BUT I'm having my gearbox oil replaced on Thursday so I'll report back....

Cheers, the gearbox oil was changed on its service in September. I know this because they left the filler cap off, i found it on my driveway the next day!

I have problems selecting reverse on a morning to get off my drive. I have recently found (don't ask why) that if I put it in 5th first, then out and into reverse it goes in no problems? No idea why! I also had a problem with first but I adjusted the gear linkage cables and it's ok now. I do plan to change the gearbox oil but am having problems finding a stockist of the silkolene oil I want :(

On the TDI at least the gears are cable selected and cables do stretch over time.

If this is the case on your car, you might want to get that adjusted, check the bolts are all tight and well lubricated on the top of the gear box.

Also a gearbox oil change is very handy at smoothing things out.

VRSPhil - these guys may have it;

Opie Oils: Performance Lubricants

I've researched on the Interweb and a lot of people recommend Redline or Castrol Syntrax. Just bought 2 litres of VAG oil so from VRS Chris' reply I guess I should've bought that. Elsewhere on Briskoda Silkolene Silktran Syn 5's been recommended....

Excelent, Many thanks Mackdaddy! It's the silktran 5 I've been looking for. I'm going to order some from that site. Thanks again!

Try Millers TRX Fully Synthetic, I found it was excellent and it's chemical properties were as good as the silkolene, only you can pick up 3 bottles for about £21

Used the millers in the Octy myself.

EDIT - Don't forget Opie offer a brisky discount

Had my gearbox oil changed. Used 2 bottles of VAG 1.8T transmission fluid.

-1 this morning and NO stiffness!

Looks like my box is better - it still has its own characteristics but it ain't stiff at the moment.

Carl VRS - are you sure they changed the fluid - looked at the job sheet at my garage and they were just going to top it up until I said - Whoa there! Drain and replace....