Need help with a 2012 Polo 6speed manual slipping in gears

[Vdubboys81]

Hey all!

Ok here's an issue, and it scares me to even think the clutch is gone. In 3rd and 4th gears if just driving along then press the accelerator, at times the indicator on the dash will go blank, showing no gear, and the engine will rev with no increase in vehicle speed.
Now it only has 40k kms in it and in the more than a dozen cars I've owned I've never had a clutch hat needed to be replaced. Does this sound like the case, or could it be an adjustment needed or any suggestions? Just pains me to think that this is what a clutch will last a year and 40k kms, we didn't plan on that expense when we bought it.

Just seeing if the clutch is actually a physical one,ending physically attached to the pedal or is it maybe "drive by wire" and only an adjustment is needed.

And has anyone else had this issue so early on?

Cheers

[alexaescht]

Hey all!

Ok here's an issue, and it scares me to even think the clutch is gone. In 3rd and 4th gears if just driving along then press the accelerator, at times the indicator on the dash will go blank, showing no gear, and the engine will rev with no increase in vehicle speed.
Now it only has 40k kms in it and in the more than a dozen cars I've owned I've never had a clutch hat needed to be replaced. Does this sound like the case, or could it be an adjustment needed or any suggestions? Just pains me to think that this is what a clutch will last a year and 40k kms, we didn't plan on that expense when we bought it.

Just seeing if the clutch is actually a physical one,ending physically attached to the pedal or is it maybe "drive by wire" and only an adjustment is needed.

And has anyone else had this issue so early on?

Cheers

80,000 kms on ours which has been driven by two learner drivers, one of which really slips the clutch a lot, and no issues at all (still on original clutch). The clutch pedal is physically connected to the clutch, I know this because I can feel the engine pulsating through it when half depressed, although it could be connected via a metal cable or even a hydraulic line I suppose.
Also our car is a diesel and has a lot more torque than the 77TSI so you'd expect faster clutch wear on my car.

Hope this helps.

[Vdubboys81]

80,000 kms on ours which has been driven by two learner drivers, one of which really slips the clutch a lot, and no issues at all (still on original clutch). The clutch pedal is physically connected to the clutch, I know this because I can feel the engine pulsating through it when half depressed, although it could be connected via a metal cable or even a hydraulic line I suppose.
Also our car is a diesel and has a lot more torque than the 77TSI so you'd expect faster clutch wear on my car.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Alex!

Have you come across this before or heard about it? As I said I've done thousands of kms on a clutch, I never rest my hand in the gear knob, not my foot anywhere near the clutch, just wondering if this sounds like something simple or is going to be a full on clutch replacement. Would def fight VW Australia if it is a clutch replacement and not under warranty, just seems way way to early for it to go out.

[alexaescht]

Thanks Alex!

Have you come across this before or heard about it? As I said I've done thousands of kms on a clutch, I never rest my hand in the gear knob, not my foot anywhere near the clutch, just wondering if this sounds like something simple or is going to be a full on clutch replacement. Would def fight VW Australia if it is a clutch replacement and not under warranty, just seems way way to early for it to go out.

I haven't unfortunately (or fortunately?)
I suppose if you've diagnosed everything that you can then the last option is to go to your local VW dealer and see what they say. If it's something simple then they should fix it, if it's something bigger well then you can go from there.

Keep us posted!

[gavs]

Sounds like the pressure plate is cactus or there is some slop in the mechanism somewhere if it's intermittent. I'd be straight back to the dealership with it because only the dsg polos should destroy their clutches, not the manuals! If you have worn through the clutch material in 40,000kms which I highly doubt, then the pressure plate cannot exact enough force on the clutch to prevent slip, this is why I'd look at the mechanism first and then the pressure plate itself.

[Vdubboys81]

Sounds like the pressure plate is cactus or there is some slop in the mechanism somewhere if it's intermittent. I'd be straight back to the dealership with it because only the dsg polos should destroy their clutches, not the manuals! If you have worn through the clutch material in 40,000kms which I highly doubt, then the pressure plate cannot exact enough force on the clutch to prevent slip, this is why I'd look at the mechanism first and then the pressure plate itself.

Was thinking that Gavs. Do you think it's a "wear and tear" issue or "warranty"? Just curious about your opinion on that, as these amazing cars are never cheap to fix. But everytime you get behind the wheel, it truly is a great experience from the key turn to the locking of the doors.

Thanks Gavs

[gavs]

Warranty is what I'd push for. You shouldn't have that happening after only 40,000s.

[alexaescht]

Warranty is what I'd push for. You shouldn't have that happening after only 40,000s.

Nor should you have warped brake rotors after 30,000 kms. Did they fix it under warranty? Nope. Brakes are a wear item, that was VW's excuse. You might fair better but who knows.

[Taylor Swift]

I remember with my brother, his clutch burnt out only after doing 30k kms in a Nissan Navara. The dealer said it wasn't under warranty even thought it was not his fault. I'd check to see if they do it under warranty as he ended up having to pay $3000 for a new clutch.

As Alex said it is a wear item and they may not replace it, but good luck to you my friend.

Taylor

[gavs]

I remember with my brother, his clutch burnt out only after doing 30k kms in a Nissan Navara. The dealer said it wasn't under warranty even thought it was not his fault. I'd check to see if they do it under warranty as he ended up having to pay $3000 for a new clutch.

As Alex said it is a wear item and they may not replace it, but good luck to you my friend.

Taylor

This was a deliberate ploy with nissan. There was a hidden clause in the paperwork given to new owners regarding the use of the clutch in the navara when towing or being heavily laden. It actually said that if you were going to be towing near up near the rated towing weight or carrying heavy loads in the tub, you had to take off in low range, obviously completely impractical because it's not like it has a road-ranger box where you can switch from low to high range. So yes, i understand what you're saying but it's in a different scenario because I have read the polo manual cover-to-cover several times now and there is nothing of this nature in there regarding the use of the manual box, only some info regarding the DSG and how it can (read WILL) overheat.

Vdubboys81, i'd be very nice and go into a dealership, explain and then show them the situation. These things have a hydraulic clutch which runs off the brake fluid so don't let them tell you it 'needs adjusting' because you cant just adjust it, it's not like you can crank up the tension on a cable. If they don't play ball and fix it, ask politely to speak with the dealer principle about the situation. If then still it's not sorted speak to customer care and take out a case number and complaint. If then it STILL doesn't get fixed, you have the option of getting stat decs from some of the other manual owning members on here stating how many kms they have done without any clutch slipping issues and then present this to VGA and ask polietly again for them to fix it. If they don't, there is always your local tribunal but seeing as you're in NSW, fat chance of them doing anything as they have a habit of liasing with the party with the biggest wallet and then screwing the little guy up there, as evidenced by Mr Peacock's situation with the CTTT!

Hopefully it doesn't get to that but be prepared for them to deny the repair because as people have said, the clutch is deemed a 'wear and tear' type item but even so, I personally don't believe that a clutch that is ruined by 40,000kms is acceptable. I've had a clutch that lasted over 300,000kms in a hilux... wait, Toyota engineering vs VW engineering, sorry for the boo boo of comparing the two there