Crunchy gearbox.

[Matt_Stander]

Hi all.

I recently purchased my first Audi. A B6 A4 1.9TDI and one of the first things of the long list that I noticed was that the gearbox would grind when trying to go into first gear while moving and sometimes third gear is hesitant. I did also notice that in the early morning when it’s cold out it is a lot better. The clutch and dual mass was supposedly replaced about a year and a half ago by a reputable workshop and feels quite good so I don’t suspect anything to do with the clutch just yet.
Does anyone have any advice and/or has anyone had any similar problems with solutions?

Thanks

[willemml]

I have a similar issue, (except I was getting it for all gears) I took it to the only shop that services euro cars here and they said there was nothing wrong with it and it felt like a normal transmission... I don't believe them, but they did clean out and re-grease mu shift linkages, and I had the oil swapped out, doing both of those made it feel better, but still not amazing.

When I was asking about this old guy said I probably had a dragging clutch (click here for thread). I believe this to be the case still. I have mostly adapted to the point where I naturally shift with the revs perfectly synced (effectively floating gears, except I still use the clutch).

My symptoms started out exactly the same as yours but within a couple weeks progressed to all gears, especially the 1-2 shift, likely due to synchro wear as predicted by old guy. In fact, my clutch was also change shortly before I bought the car, according to the previous owner of course, but I have zero paperwork backing that (or anything other than ownership) up.

Interesting that its better in the cold for you, my transmission feels way smoother after its warmed up (I live in the Rockies where its regularly -20C).

Unfortunately non of this is a solution, but you should check your clutch for fluid leaks as well as other wear like a bent fork.

[Larhal]

The forks have been known to crack and bend slightly. When replacing the clutch it is wise to replace the fork also.

[Matt_Stander]

I decided to replace the gearbox oil today at work(I work in a workshop) and that seemed to have made a world of a difference. From what I can tell the gearbox oil was low and it was the wrong oil. Smelled more like diff oil to me but who knows. I definitely think that the synchros are also warn out as third gear still feels a little bit nothcy but otherwise all is well. Thanks for the advice though!!

[willemml]

What oil did you use?

[BumblebVR6]

I decided to replace the gearbox oil today at work(I work in a workshop) and that seemed to have made a world of a difference. From what I can tell the gearbox oil was low and it was the wrong oil. Smelled more like diff oil to me but who knows. I definitely think that the synchros are also warn out as third gear still feels a little bit nothcy but otherwise all is well. Thanks for the advice though!!

It should definitely be gear oil.