Manual gearbox issues?

**Inego** · 04-12-2013, 07:16 AM

Has anyone here had significant issues with their Octy manual? Mine (2010 Scout) disgraced itself the other night - pressure lost to the slave cylinder and possible contamination of the clutch pack.

The dealer has handled things well - hopefully because they're good, and not just because the failure happened 6km after they did a 60,000km service

Parts are on back order, but they've provided a replacement vehicle in the meantime and are fllowing it up as a warranty claim, given the car's got under 40k on the clock.

**Lucas_R** · 04-12-2013, 08:29 AM

Hmm sounds like they stuffed up on the 60,000km service to me. At 60,000km/4yrs they are supposed to flush/replace the brake fluid which also entails flushing the clutch fluid (both the clutch and brake system share the same reservoir). In addition to this, the gearbox should have had it's oil flushed and replaced.

So either the service guys stuffed up, or it was a huge co-incidence that you happened to have a clutch/gearbox issue only 6km after they had been doing work on that part of the car.

**Inego** · 04-12-2013, 08:40 AM

Aaaaah, the plot thickens. I knew about the brake flush, but not about the shared reservoir with the clutch. When the NRMA guy was showing me the lines, it did seem that there could be a link between the two.

Yes, only making 6km after a service seems too coincidental.

**brad** · 04-12-2013, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Lucas_R

(both the clutch and brake system share the same reservoir).

didn't know that. thx

In addition to this, the gearbox should have had it's oil flushed and replaced..

really? I've never seen anything anywhere saying the manual gearbox needs a change @ 60k (they'd never flush it, just dump & fill). I'm not saying it's a bad idea (have been tossing up whether to do mine now @ 125,000 or wait until my clutch is shagged). Interesting info.

**Lucas_R** · 04-12-2013, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by brad

didn't know that. thx

They have done that for some years now on manual cars.

Originally Posted by brad

really? I've never seen anything anywhere saying the manual gearbox needs a change @ 60k (they'd never flush it, just dump & fill). I'm not saying it's a bad idea (have been tossing up whether to do mine now @ 125,000 or wait until my clutch is shagged). Interesting info.

Actually, you might be right on the gearbox oil change. The DSG is definitely recommended to be changed at 60,000km but i can't see that they recommend the same for the manual gearbox (i dont have my service manual handy so just did a quick Google on the subject). They do the Haldex at 60,000km so i will be getting the gearbox done at the same time, regardless of what VW suggests. Fresh oil can only be a good thing.

Don't know why i said "flush" the gearbox, obviously as you said they just drain and fill. Would be nice if it could be flushed though.

**Inego** · 04-12-2013, 09:43 AM

I did have a chat at the dealers when I first picked it up, and we specifically discussed that the manual was cheaper than the DSG (although still almost $1000 for standard service) as the manual didn't need a fluid change.

**Skooter** · 04-12-2013, 10:32 AM

Gearbox oil replacement at 60k definitely not on the menu for std service. Haldex yes. I won't drain mine (also 2010 Scout) until 125,000 - there's no point. I did my own 60k service - all gen parts $300 including 507 oil and half a days' work.

I'd say the brake flush is the reason for clutch loss - no doubt. Not a gearbox issue, though - clutch fluid only issue.

Why did they do a 60k service on a car with 40k???

**Inego** · 04-12-2013, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Skooter

Why did they do a 60k service on a car with 40k???

I've always serviced on a time or km basis - in this case, 4 years/60k.

**brad** · 04-12-2013, 10:58 AM

Only the Scouts & AWD Superbs would have haldex.

You can flush using a light oil or kero or diesel & idle in nuetral for a while but manuals seem to be pretty happy with all the crap sitting in a layer of sludge in the bottom of the casing.