VW TDI 6 speed manual

[otto_kretschmer]

Hi Folks,

I'm posting this here because of the volume of eyeballs here is greater than the VW groups.

I have a 2011 VW TDI Sportswagon with the 6 speed manual transmission.

I finally changed the tranny oil at 200k miles. It was a little dark and burnt but still felt like gear oil should feel. I replaced it with Redline MTL.

The car has 250k miles now and the transmission has a hard time going into 1st.

When I come to a stop light, I put the car into neutral and wait for the green light. When the light turns green the tranny won't go directly into 1st. I have to shift down (pull the stick down) into 2nd and then push up into 1st.

This is more of an annoyance than anything else.

I'm considering changing the oil now to a different fluid. VW calls out their own spec gear oil for this transmission and its pricey. I forget how much but it was significant; maybe $60 a liter/quart

Some people use a GM spec oil for their transfer cases, Pennzoil Synchromesh. This oil is available at the usual places like Autozone for around $7/quart

Anyone here can shine a light on my problem?

thanks

[speeder]

I think that it's extremely important to use the correct factory oil in that transmission, not some off-brand that may or may not meet the specs for the factory oil. I remember that when I had to rebuild the 5-speed in my 2006 Jetta TDI, (really the same transmission), I bought the oil from the dealer and it was a very specific specification. I could have gotten it aftermarket but it was actually cheaper at dealer. Go figure.

The reason that manual trans oil is so important wrt using the right stuff has to do w the synchros the factory put in and what is best for them as well as differential clutches in that trans.

Have you ever changed the clutch? The cover or pressure plate might be getting tired.

[otto_kretschmer]

Still have the same clutch. Most of my driving as been in Los Angeles on the freeway.

I may just bite the bullet and get the oil VW calls out.

The dealer usually doesn't have this oil in stock so I'll have to order 2 quarts and make two trips.

Or just go to Autozone and get the Pennzoil Synchromesh. 2 quarts for $16 and see how it works.

[Arizona_928]

I use febi oil. In my cjaa I replaced the manual fluid at 100k mi. 200k is waaaay too long on that transmission. The fact that you have to use the syncro's from second to get into first tell you that the 1st gear syncros are done. prolly not going to be an issue unless you down shift into first without stopping, then you'll prolly just get a crunch shift...

[1990C4S]

I would definitely change the fluid back to the recommended VW fluid.

But it sounds to me like a deeper issue. I would look for a used gearbox as plan B. New fluid rarely fixes a manual transmission problem, but it's worth a shot.

Lots of 915 gearboxes had that same issue, but a newer VW 6 speed should go right into first gear easily.

[Jrboulder]

Don't use 2nd to stop the input shaft, that's probably going to be your next synchro to go bad based on use. Maybe use 4th. Ideally spread it around a few gears.

[speeder]

Definitely use the correct oil for that transmission. For a component that major that only has its oil changed every 100k miles, you’d be a fool to use the wrong oil because of the convenience of going to Autozone.

Actually, Autozone should be able to get the correct oil if the employee has the skills to look it up. I know a place in Glendale that could have it for you later today, where are you located?

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

When I come to a stop light, I put the car into neutral and wait for the green light.

My cousin does this, then he has to fiddle getting it in gear, wasting a precious 9 seconds to get moving.

Why do this?
Put it in the necessary gear before the light changes.


Wrt to the sync issue, I'd flush trans and go with factory recommended oil before any other part replacement.

My Subie OBW shifted like crud when I bought it, flushed in 2 changes of proper oil over 500 miles and it shifts very well now.
I think my issue was just old crappy oil. But that's where I'd start.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Put it in the necessary gear before the light changes.

As a person who has lived in lots of countries, I do not understand why traffic lights are obscured from perpendicular traffic in the USA. When you are sitting at a red light you can't see when the other light is amber.

Being able to see the status of the lights for the perpendicular traffic allows you to be ready to move when the light changes.

Some countries even have amber before green, to warn you.

[RedBaron]

Redline makes good oil but id probably use the factory fluid. 50k seems on the higher end of the schedule, no? I do every 30k.

Originally Posted by DonDavis

My cousin does this, then he has to fiddle getting it in gear, wasting a precious 9 seconds to get moving.

Why do this?
Put it in the necessary gear before the light changes.

Doesn’t that put excess wear on the throwout bearing? It takes me a few seconds to put the car into gear and take off on a light, no big deal.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

What's more expensive, $120 of the correct fluid or a $500+ used transmission and $1K in labor to put it in?

[speeder]

It's nowhere near $120 for the correct oil for that transmission.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

He said it's $60 a quart and needs 2.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

As a person who has lived in lots of countries, I do not understand why traffic lights are obscured from perpendicular traffic in the USA. When you are sitting at a red light you can't see when the other light is amber.

Being able to see the status of the lights for the perpendicular traffic allows you to be ready to move when the light changes.

Some countries even have amber before green, to warn you.

all you have to do is watch cross traffic for the slow down but even then you won't want to hit it too quick, there are too many that run that light.

[otto_kretschmer]

I got oil from the dealer today

it wasn't nearly as much as I remembered so I got 2 liters and I'll change the tranny and crankcase oil tomorrow.

$14/liter

it also looks like a different part number so maybe VW changed something

[speeder]

G 052 171 A2 is the correct part#.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by speeder

G 052 171 A2 is the correct part#.

that's the part I was expecting

they gave me G 052 512 A2

still a bit of a mystery

[speeder]

Hmmm, they might have given you the wrong stuff. The 171 is a good number as of today from my VW dealer and my aftermarket place. Straight from VW parts counter, today.

[otto_kretschmer]

they asked for my VIN so I hope they gave me the right stuff

it may just be a non synthetic gear oil

its really thin by just shaking the bottle

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by RedBaron

Doesn’t that put excess wear on the throwout bearing? It takes me a few seconds to put the car into gear and take off on a light, no big deal.

Not a bad thought. But I can't imagine that would make a measurable difference in the life of that bearing.

I just think it's a smoother operation to wait with it in gear.