Did I just ruin first gear?

[123lilc]

Alright so im going to get flamed for this but i do not care as i need to know whats going on. So the other night i decided to launch my car (quattro 1.8T 5 speed) From 4500 rpm after i dumped the clutch it kinda just surged then took off after that everything was fine, or so i thought. so i went on at home washed it and parked it. i came back a couple of hours later and started it up then started driving, backed out of the drive way then put it into first now when letting out the clutch and starting to move there is a weird noise kinda like straight cut gears. the whine noise only happens in first gear. the noise never happened before i launched so im assuming i messed something up. the noise is really noticeable when coasting at high speeds and putting it up against the first gear lockout mechanism. in the video im going about 50 mph while holding the clutch in and putting the gear lever up against 1st gear lockout mechanism, no i know that there is no need to do this ever and in the video it looks as if im forcing it into 1st but im not its only slight pressure. The car drives completely fine and the only thing that has changed is the 1st gear gear whine. can someone please help identify whats going on?



https://youtu.be/TsdBqvM1a2I

[SJorge3442]

this is what my 3.0 sounds like in reverse. Sorry that doesn't help, just stating some facts.

[Charles.waite]

That is the sound of $$$

To an extend that whining is normal, it's your synchros working. It generally shouldn't be too loud though.

And that crunch isn't good nor is it normal. If that happened after dumping the clutch (hint, that's never a good idea) then I think you know your answer regarding what's wrong...

[old guy]

It sure sounds like you cracked or chipped 1st gear. Sorry!

And for the record there is no “1st gear lockout”. That high pitched whine that you hear is the sound of you shredding your 1st gear synchronizers as you attempt to speed the gears up to an equivalent engine speed of 20,000+ rpm.

STOP DOING THAT!!!

[redline380]

And for the record there is no “1st gear lockout”. That high pitched whine that you hear is the sound of you shredding your 1st gear synchronizers as you attempt to speed the gears up to an equivalent engine speed of 20,000+ rpm.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if he was launching the car, the gear would already be engaged. There should be no wear on the synchro because is wasn't being used. There transmission was still, which is what makes me believe he has a clutch issue. Yes, the tranny is shocked by popping the clutch like that, but everything was probably already engaged.

Now, if he we in neutral, revved up to 4.5k, then did a quick sequence of jamming it in gear and popping the clutch, I could see some internal issues. But that isn't the way people launch cars.

[old guy]

Yes you are correct. He launched it with 1st gear already engaged. I suspect the extreme “hammering” from dropping the clutch damaged the already engaged gears. Just because they are already engaged doesn’t prevent them from being damaged by excessive force.

The synchro wear to which I am referring is when he attempted to put it in 1st gear at 50 mph.

[redline380]

The synchro wear to which I am referring is when he attempted to put it in 1st gear at 50 mph.

Missed that part. Yup, that'll do it! Lucky for him it didnt catch.

[Charles.waite]

Dropping the clutch from first puts a HUGE amount of pressure on the gears. Since they're helical cut they tend to push each other apart also so chipping gears isn't uncommon with modern transmissions when they're subjected to shock loads like that.

Also what old guy said and I was alluding to, that whirring/whining is the 1st gear synchros spinning up to try to mesh the 1st gear with the car speed. And since first gear tops out at 30ish mph you're wayyyy over revving the transmission and synchros. You should stop doing that.

[Seerlah]

The synchro wear to which I am referring is when he attempted to put it in 1st gear at 50 mph.

Quoted for pure silliness

[123lilc]

Thanks for all the replies, I learned my lesson! No more launches for me
Also thanks for not flaming the shit out of me

[cschuster]

Sounds like a chipped or broken tooth. Replace the fluid and see what comes out. You don't want debris floating around in your gearbox.

[Charles.waite]

Sounds like a chipped or broken tooth. Replace the fluid and see what comes out. You don't want debris floating around in your gearbox.

Yep. I would do that for sure.

[123lilc]

Sounds like a chipped or broken tooth. Replace the fluid and see what comes out. You don't want debris floating around in your gearbox.

So about 1 month ago i replaced the fluid would it be ok to drain it, filter out all the metal pieces, then just reuse the fluid after filtering it? or do i have to buy new fluid?
I also have a magnetic drain plug in if that matters

Also would i be able to feel it if 1st gear is chipped or something? wouldn't it not grab for a second? how can i know for sure without pulling the trans?

[cschuster]

Depends on the kind of filter you have. Something in the micron range? Sure. Just spend the 35 bucks and replace it - way easier.

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[123lilc]

Depends on the kind of filter you have. Something in the micron range? Sure. Just spend the 35 bucks and replace it - way easier.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

sorry for the lack of knowledge but i was unaware that it even had a filter is that something im supposed to replace?

[redline380]

You dont have a filter. That guy (I hope) thinks you have an auto because he didnt read the thread.

[cschuster]

sorry for the lack of knowledge but i was unaware that it even had a filter is that something im supposed to replace?

There is no filter in a manual trans. There are a few magnets inside the center diff housing, but no filter. I was talking about filtering the fluid outside of the trans. You can assume that 1 or more teeth are either chipped or broken. No way to tell the exact damage until you take it apart. To get to 1/2 gears, the whole trans has to be disassembled.

This is what that shaft looks. Biggest gear is first.

[Charles.waite]

In that case, maybe just drain it into a clean clear container and just see if there is any floating debris and inspect the drain plug for any large metal flakes.

[walky_talky20]

For the price of a 5-speed transmission, I wouldn't bother even doing anything about it. It will quite likely make noise for the rest of it's life, and nothing more will come of it. If it blows up, get another transmission. The 5-speeds are a dime a dozen.

Draining the gear oil and either replacing it with new oil or filtering it would be a good idea. Replacing the drain plug with a magnetic version would be wise.

[diagnosticator]

So about 1 month ago i replaced the fluid would it be ok to drain it, filter out all the metal pieces, then just reuse the fluid after filtering it? or do i have to buy new fluid?
I also have a magnetic drain plug in if that matters

Also would i be able to feel it if 1st gear is chipped or something? wouldn't it not grab for a second? how can i know for sure without pulling the trans?

Filtering the used trans oil is not practical, IMO. A magnet won't catch any copper based alloys used in the synchros and bushings.

[123lilc]

so basically if everything still functions i can still drive it correct?
just change fluid and ill be good to go correct?

(ovioulsy with no more launches ad going easy on first gear)

[2000blk1.8t]

I second what walky said. I'd run it until something happens. If it does totally fail, you might still be able to take off in 2nd to atleast get you home.

[AudiA4_20T]

I did this to 4 or 5 transmissions. For some reason it only happens after launching hard in 1st. You have plenty of time left but I'd get a spare lined up.

[walky_talky20]

I always just launch in 2nd gear. Problem solved.

[ADCS]

As already stated nothing will self destruct. My 6spd has been doing this for 130k kms. I do have a spare if and when it really fails...

[Seerlah]

For the price of a 5-speed transmission, I wouldn't bother even doing anything about it. It will quite likely make noise for the rest of it's life, and nothing more will come of it. If it blows up, get another transmission. The 5-speeds are a dime a dozen.

Draining the gear oil and either replacing it with new oil or filtering it would be a good idea. Replacing the drain plug with a magnetic version would be wise.

Your logical reasoning is impractical and unwanted here, Keith. Stay in the B5 section where you belong, you non-mechanic. Why do people even listen to you?!?!

[vwblackb5]

Seems like OP might have $$$ shifted. 50mph and forcing into 1st, did you bounce off the rev limiter?

[old guy]

To be fair to the OP, he stated that he didn't actually push hard enough to engage first gear. He just pushed against the synchro enough to hear gear whine.

[f1torrents]

I don't think he knows how to properly use a manual gearbox.

Nothing he did in that video was ok imho

[AudiA4_20T]

Seems like OP might have $$$ shifted. 50mph and forcing into 1st, did you bounce off the rev limiter?

No. He launched it hard in first. As I said, I did this to probably 4-5 transmissions. It happens when you launch really hard.

I don't think he knows how to properly use a manual gearbox.

Nothing he did in that video was ok imho

He was trying to mimic that sound to show everyone...

[123lilc]

Exactly! Thank you!

[vwblackb5]

No. He launched it hard in first. As I said, I did this to probably 4-5 transmissions. It happens when you launch really hard...

On your V8 swapped B6 or when you were first learning how to drive a manual car?


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[AudiA4_20T]

On your V8 swapped B6 or when you were first learning how to drive a manual car?

I did it on my black B6 both with a K03 and GT35R, why?