my first ever car -a golf gti but....

[haggisboy]

I just recently bought an H reg Big-bumper at 137k for £470. The problem is that is there is a crunch from 1st to 2nd. The gear stick also needs pushed down a bit to get into 5th ??... Can this be fixed without emptying my pocket? Also there seems to be a lot of heat omitted from underneath the steering column, is this a normal Mk 2 trait? I’m also living in West London and would really appreciate some advice about a good garage that won't lie and rip me off for the novice that I admit I am!!! Would really appreciate your help folks. Hey apart from that loving the car!!!!!! I think I will be buying these for the rest of my life!

[Simon8v91]

Do a forum search for first to second gear change.  Loads on here about that.  Essentially replace oil with Redline MTL will help but probably not cure.  If the crunch goes when warmed up then a good chance MTL will help alot.  Need a refurb 'box if not.

wrt 5th gear.  If the car was a town car chances are it will not have been used much.  If this is the case they do get easier with use.  Difficult 5th can be a sign of low gear oil, so another reason for the oil change.  If this fails then you could get the gear linkages refurbed / repaired and GSF do a kit.  Someone on here does a bush that is not in the kit and compliments it. 

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=51321.0

The heat under the column is not normal.  Pushed for time so hopefully someone else can help here 

[haggisboy]

cheers for your time dude that's a real help!

[topbloke77]

Get a weighted gear linkage from a mk3 golf. It wont cure your gear change but i will definately help. Dead easy to fit too. Do a search on here for more info. That and MTL redline oil in the box and replacing all the bushes etc are all you can do on the cheap.

[jammac]

i had the same problem!

changed gearbox oil for redline MTL.........still crunched into 2nd
changed gear linkage bushes.............still crunched!

Final option changed gearbox for one i bought on ebay for £32!!!!!

did the clutch to whilst i was there as it was slipping at high revs!

this has put the novelty back into driving my gti!     

if you dont get a result out of the oil or bushes definatly get another gearbox, its a piece of piss!!! im no mechanic but if your willing to learn and youve got plenty of time on ya hands its no problem!