Newbie enquiring about sticky gear changes/new gear box

[rikmayall]

Hey, just bought a MK4 99 GTTDI today and after a test drive I noticed the gear stick a little sticky, especially getting into 3rd gear. I purchased the car (at a good price) and took it home. A friend of a friend who is a mechanic, took a drive and straight away said that I would need a new gear box. I figured I can work with the sticky gears and I have got the knack for working with it so I wouldn't change it until it became too bad or it gave up on me.

I read a few threads online - to do with adjusting selector cables etc, and suggested it to him, but he dismissed all and just said it needed a new gear box, period. I was wondering if the existing gear box needed something like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp9ggefOjAE done (although that is not for '99 MK4's) or was he right in his diagnosis.

I suppose I just forked out for a new car, the last thing I want to do is fork out more for a new gearbox!

Also, just to add, I tried the gear changes when the engine was off, and no stickiness at all (or very little compared to when driving). Could this suggest anything?

[benny1234black]

Could be worth a gearbox oil change just to make sure its not old fluid?

[rikmayall]

As I say, complete noob! Could give it a go, but Is this easy done myself or would I need a mechanic to look at it?

Also, any idea what kind of oil to use? I heard its pretty specific (from this http:// www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=41812thread.

[thatwillis]

Only sticky when cold? Gets alot easyier to change gear when its warm? If so mine the same on my 99 1.8t 

[golf-sib]

As I say, complete noob! Could give it a go, but Is this easy done myself or would I need a mechanic to look at it?

Also, any idea what kind of oil to use? I heard its pretty specific (from this http:// www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=41812thread.

Try and get the gearbox oil right the first time if going DIY, I thought I'd be clever and user a wider band viscosity oil on mine, it did the job but gear changes where so stiff when cold. Not sure what the oil needed is on a derv. Its not an expensive job at the mechanics either mine charged me about £20 with oil or around there.

[Wayne]

Drain and replace the oil, easy enough to sort.

[rikmayall]

Only sticky when cold? Gets alot easyier to change gear when its warm? If so mine the same on my 99 1.8t 

Opposite, when the engine was off they were no problem, even when the engine is on and cold it's sticky, don't know if there's much difference whether it's hot or cold, just very temperamental.

[houston]

Sounds more like the clutch at fault if its fine when engines off

[jay12345]

Have the exact same problem.Doesnt feel like clutch.Mines a 1.8t had the vr6clutch and g60 flywheel done 18months ago.It all depends how you change gear and doesnt happen all the time.Mines always 1st and 3rd.As you said no problems stationary.Just seem like an allignment thing.Let me know if you get yours sorted and i will if i get mine..cheers jay

[rikmayall]

Have the exact same problem.Doesnt feel like clutch.Mines a 1.8t had the vr6clutch and g60 flywheel done 18months ago.It all depends how you change gear and doesnt happen all the time.Mines always 1st and 3rd.As you said no problems stationary.Just seem like an allignment thing.Let me know if you get yours sorted and i will if i get mine..cheers jay

3rd gives me the most problems, I have to knock it a little shade to the right when I'm putting it into gear, and its position is almost exactly where 5th is (sometimes if I'm trying to go into 5th I knock it into 3rd without noticing).

Also there is sometimes, in the low gears, a knock after I put it into gear and let the clutch out, along with a slight rattle when the clutch is in! I hope I don't need a gear box, fly wheel, or clutch change, so hopefully I can get these little problems sorted one by one.