horrible vibrations and noise

[shelaghmk3gti]

If it totally goes when you dis-engage the clutch, its most likely the gearbox main-shaft or counter-shaft end bearings if it sounds like that.

To be honest, if its suddenly gone and gone that bad,  i would suspect there is an underlying problem such as an oil leak etc..

Unlikely to be the thrust bearing, that will be quiet when the clutch is not depressed and worse when it is depressed, due to it being under pressure in contact with the diaphragm springs, common misconception, or people refusing to believe their gearbox is nackerd 

I would advise you to change or at least check the gearbox oil,  remove the upper filler plug and fill it until it pours out,  if it took more than half a litre  its almost certainly lost oil causing the issue.   If the level is ok,  Run the engine in netueral and rev it, listen down close to the gearbox for rumbling/clicking noises, that will pretty much confirm it.

Could possibly be a faulty clutch plate falling apart, but very unlikely.

This is based on the info you have given so far so could be other things too but more info would be needed to go down any other route at this stage.

 right.., yes its leaking oil.. yet the boys havent told me
 was under it today and saw it over the front axle
 noise is coming from gearbox direction!! )( thankyou god who ever asked that) feel like im going fecking demented.. no one can hear it! mine does NOT sound like a GTI!!
 have tried on/off clutch.. its all good.. when revs hit 2000 its rumbling :/

[shelaghmk3gti]

Seriously not having much luck with this one are you Shelagh. 

havent had much luck with any of my golfs sean.. all taken the piss... yet to find the one that gets the better tho
 do think i should have replace the engine rather than do the head on this one :lol:

[Rmachines]

Well as you drive the car a lot, you will notice it during the "onset period of bearing failure"  As we diagnostic techs call it    so there is probably just a bit of pitting on the bearings at the moment, they will soon grind down and get worse, the first step is to add oil, that is vital if you plan to use the car until its fixed!   Sometimes if you have very good hearing and catch it very very early, you can get it to last a fair few thousand miles, but its putting off the inevitable.

Unfortunately, everything does point to being the gearbox bearings,  adding oil may quieting it, it may last for many miles, or it may fail tomorrow,  fact is, you cant tell, and it will only get worse. 

So, options are, overhaul or a second hand box,  I personally overhaul boxes regularly, so to me, its the only option, second hand boxes (specially knowing how bad golf boxes are)  could be much worse than the one you have (or had)  I would replace the main bearings and oil seals and any rough needle rollers on the gears, i always do a full inspection of everything else i should hope any one else would also.

If you can find a box with a guarantee...  do that. Unless you don't mind paying out good money.

[shelaghmk3gti]

Well as you drive the car a lot, you will notice it during the "onset period of bearing failure"  As we diagnostic techs call it    so there is probably just a bit of pitting on the bearings at the moment, they will soon grind down and get worse, the first step is to add oil, that is vital if you plan to use the car until its fixed!   Sometimes if you have very good hearing and catch it very very early, you can get it to last a fair few thousand miles, but its putting off the inevitable.

Unfortunately, everything does point to being the gearbox bearings,  adding oil may quieting it, it may last for many miles, or it may fail tomorrow,  fact is, you cant tell, and it will only get worse. 

So, options are, overhaul or a second hand box,  I personally overhaul boxes regularly, so to me, its the only option, second hand boxes (specially knowing how bad golf boxes are)  could be much worse than the one you have (or had)  I would replace the main bearings and oil seals and any rough needle rollers on the gears, i always do a full inspection of everything else i should hope any one else would also.

If you can find a box with a guarantee...  do that. Unless you don't mind paying out good money.

pitting was an advisory of the MOT....yet he cant her it when i took it .. seriously i can hear it!
 he did the MOT he advised so why the fek didnt he know it was that.. fecking eeedjit!

thanks so much mate ill get that sorted

[Rmachines]

That was likely pitting of the brake discs,  i was referring to pitting of the bearing bearings (inside the box)  which is what causes the initial roughness of the bearings, not something you can see without stripping the box.

[shelaghmk3gti]

gear changes.. everything is smooth.is a noise that started after the head was done.. its something loose??
 i drive and it sounds like a diesel.. no effort to change gear.. or anything else
 i dont se where your based so i can pop round

[Len]

He is in Mid Cornwall, bit far from the Island of Barry!

They shouldnt have undone anything to do with the gearbox when they did the headwork, but maybe worth checking all the bolts etc.

[shelaghmk3gti]

ahh bit far then lol

finally got around to getting someone to look at it, they should be here ( 2 mechs that both own mk'3's) this evening

fingers crossed that its nothing major 

[Gavv8]

This sounds more like a problem with the exhaust manifold, if it happens at higher revs it may be that the manifold wasn't bolted back on properly or some of the studs have been cross threaded allowing the manifold to move when the gas starts moving through a bit.

[shelaghmk3gti]

1 problem found the heat guard/cover was loose so rattling when rev'd so clamped that.
still vibrating tho.. havent given up yet