skoda octavia crunching going into 2nd gear

rev229

We have a 3 yr old octavia 1.9 TDI just out of warranty, we have had it from new. In the last week it has started to crunch going into 2nd gear. It has 28000 miles on the clock. Any ideas? I expect it is an expensive repair.

Dave_Z

It could be something as [relatively] simple and cheap to fix as changing/topping up the transmission fluid. My Alfa often crunches going into reverse, but 8 months on it hasn't got any worse so i'm just ignoring it for now. It'll be gone soon anyway.

anewman

Also see briskoda.net forums. The transmission oil level is not on the manufacturers list of things to check when doing a service (it used to be). I think the idea is for the level to go down there will have to be a leak, and the leak will be spotted when serviced. They don't even put drain plugs on gearboxes nowadays, a move backwards IMO.

It could well be something simple like the clutch hydraulics needing bleeding.

somech

is it 6 speed box?
if it is these are well known for being fragile

marksim

I had this with my car within the first year (56 1.9Tdi Octavia), They replaced the 2nd gear syncro and lots of other bits. They had the car for about a week and a half then had it back a another day. Total cost (covered by warrenty cost over £2000) Think they said new gearbox was £1700 but skoda insist they repair, in my case this meant I had issue with reverse gear not engaging and really stiff gearbox until it was broken in. I'd press them for a contribution which if you have a full service history with Skoda you should get.

Mark

rev229

It is 5 speed, it has been serviced and MOT at the garage we bought it form. Is it likely they will contribute to a repair if it is out of warranty by 2 months? Other option is to trade the car in for something newer. Not too sure what to do. Expensive repair or trade for newer. We have savings so would be a cash buyer. It previously had a oil leak that was eventually resolved but the car was within warranty.

marksim

You will have to take it in for a diagnosis which you will have to pay for. Then odviously they will price you for the repair then press them for a contribution bearing in mind it's failed a lot earlier given the low mileage of the car.You may need to speak to skoda uk direct if the dealer doesn't work to help you negotiate the 'goodwill discount'.

And with my gearbox (5sp) the problem to start off with would come and go, I had taken it in the first time and couldn't demonstrate fault.

All in I would keep the car, it's low milage so won't need the cambelt or turbo changing for a little while so should be reliable. I have the 56 octavia hatchback and a 59octavia estate and they both been reliable (80k on the 56plate in 3 years). You will lose out a lot if you trade it in now, its not a french car so treat it kindly and you'll have many more years out of it!

Good luck!

Skodaru

I too have a 1.9 TDi with the 2nd gear crunch problem, mine is a 2007 model with 25K on the clock. I've only recently been experiencing the problem. It seems to occur when the weather is hot and the car has warmed up, possibly a problem with the gearbox oil thinning in the heat? I'll ask at my Skoda garage and post any useful reply here. Anyone else had the same (hot weather) experience ?

Skoda Garage recommended gearbox oil change to different synthetic to that used when built. Had it done, will report on results. (18/7/11)

Good news ! I've had no more problems with crunching when selecting 2nd gear since the gearbox oil change, hope it stays that way ! (28/12/11)