GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: prt57 on 26 February 2017, 08:27
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I have had my 1.8t since new in 1998. Even back then the gearbox was a bit notchy going from first to second. Worse when cold. In fact it was the only disappointing thing about the car. Fast forward to the middle of last year and I noticed an oil leak from the oil seal where the driveshaft enters the box. I used a local transmission specialist who did a very good job. As the car had done over 100,000 miles I asked for a gearbox oil change. They used a Castrol oil spec that matched my Haynes manual.
Afterwards I started to notice that it was very difficult to go from first to second or third to second or even engage first gear unless totally stationary. However, all seemed OK when the car had warmed up thoroughly. Internet research pointed to the oil that had been added.
So as part of a oil change service at a VW main dealer I asked for a gearbox oil change with genuine VW oil. Interestingly they could not give me a price straight away as it is not normally done.
It really seems to have done the trick. It took a few miles for the new oil to fully circulate and disperse the remaining Castrol oil from the components but I could even say that the gear change is now better than new and the car is at 113,000 miles.
As a word of caution, the VW mechanic either cross threaded or over tightened the engine sump plug stripping the thread when changing the engine oil. They admitted it straight away and paid for a new sump pan. I took the opportunity to pay for a new oil pick up pipe. Peace of mind really as there was no blockage but it shows the benefit from using fully synthetic longlife oil for the total life of the car.
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Just an update, I have now done about 600 miles since the gearbox oil change and the gear changes are now exactly as I would expect even when cold.
I read somewhere that the original oil specification changed since my car was made in 1998 and so this new oil is much better.
So if you have trouble changing 1st to 2nd, 3rd to 2nd or even engaging 1st gear unless you are totally stationary when the engine is cold this winter, this oil change could help you too. Remember, you need the latest spec VW oil for your car.
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Interesting post, thanks. Credit to the dealership that admitted stripping the thread, many would have kept quiet about it, who is the dealership?
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hi
nice idea Ive had my mk4 7 years fantastic 6 speed box apart from 1st gear it is a notch y gear, luckily enough its a re mapped tdi 150 so pulls off in second :grin:
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Do you know what oil they used? This is on my list of jobs to do once the weather warms up
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I'd like to know what grade and brand they used too. Mine is going in for a full service this week and info would be most helpful...engine oil, filters, coolant and the Haldex system oil all sorted, but curious regarding gearbox oil.
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General consensus seems to be 75w90 oil that meets or exceeds GL4
I've got a mate who works at VW looking into it tomorrow for me so I'll have an idea on costs although this will only be in GBP
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Thanks Wazzzer, that grade of oil is easy enough to obtain over here, so no probs with GBP issue.
I'm still interested to hear from prt57 about what oil they used in his car.
:smiley:
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Hi there,
Thanks for all the interest and replies.
The oil put in by the transmission specialist was Castrol 75w 90. This was the oil that made changing a nightmare until fully warmed up.
The VW garage used the current VW specification for my 1.8T from 1998. I tried to find the rating but none of the parts people had access to that sort of information. I think it must be thinner than 75w 90 bacause that rating of oil only gave a satisfactory gear change when it was warm and thus thinner.
So don't bother trying to find a non VW oil as for the money it has solved my cold change gear box issue. I wish I had done this years ago.
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Cheers for the update.
:smiley:
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I just mixed up a litre of 80/90 with a litre of atf :nerd:. works great in any weather. that's in a mk2 though :wink:
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That's a trick used by a lot of Jeep owners as well...probably not in the 50/50 ratio though.
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yeah, it's all done to how the owner uses the vehicle really. a lot of 4x4 drivers don't really push them that hard or don't go off-road, so they can get away with a thinner oil, and improve their fuel economy to :nerd:
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A bit more information I have discovered while trying to find the correct oil for the Golf - make sure the oil is 75w90 grade and conforms to the GL-4 specification, NOT the GL-5. This is possibly the reason for the problem with difficult gear changes that are described above
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As I mentioned earlier, just use the genuine VW oil. The cost savings and potential hassle don't make searching for something else worth while. I had considered getting rid of my 1.8T because the gear change was so poor when cold. No issues at all now with gear changing and so by the end of this year I will be into 20 years of ownership. I am amazed at the difference the correct oil makes.
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Approx £8 a litre if anyone is getting it from the dealers :afro: