Hard to find 4th gear

[LeisureDave]

So I just bought a very clean 2002 golf, and somehow I didn’t notice during the test drive that on the downshift from 5th, 4th gear is nowhere to be found. Yes I know silly me but I don’t usually downshift unless I have to. It shifts easily from 3rd to 4th, however. Now when I first noticed, I thought it was because of how sloppy the shifter linkage was, but on further examination it goes into 4th relatively easily when I give it throttle as I try to shift, so now I’m thinking synchro… does that make sense? I’m not familiar with the 02j, does 4th have 2 synchros such that 3rd to 4th is easy but 5th to 4th non existent?
I’m wondering if it is worth my while to try changing fluid and fixing shifter slop, based on what I’ve seen so far, everyone who had the same problem were told it’s the synchro.
If so, do I just have to take apart the tranny and change out that one part?

 

[Tdijarhead]

Before you take anything apart and do major surgery on that transmission, go to the videos at the bottom of this dieselgeek page. Review those videos and adjust the linkage accordingly. If you still have sloppy linkage the dieselgeek bushing set will help tremendously with that. Changing the fluid to Penzoil synchromesh will be like getting a new transmission.

 

[LeisureDave]

Before you take anything apart and do major surgery on that transmission, go to the videos at the bottom of this dieselgeek page. Review those videos and adjust the linkage accordingly. If you still have sloppy linkage the dieselgeek bushing set will help tremendously with that. Changing the fluid to Penzoil synchromesh will be like getting a new transmission.

These were my first 2 ideas, but I find it hard to believe the stuff is as much a miracle as is claimed… used it in my daily and didn’t notice a difference. Does it make sense that a synchro would cause easy up shifts to 4th but no downshifts? Also, which dieselgeek page?

 

[Tdijarhead]

Sorry I forgot to link it.

Deluxe MK4 Shifter Bushing Kit

All the MK4 shifter bushings in one convenient, money saving kit! If your MK4 Shifter is sloppy you can buy this kit to get everything you need to make it great

dieselgeek.com

Synchromesh makes for smoother shifts, and gets rid of notchyness.

 

[LeisureDave]

Alrighty I will report back once I try These things

 

[Lug_Nut]

... on further examination it goes into 4th relatively easily when I give it throttle as I try to shift ...

5th to 4th is a down shift. The engine will be spinning faster in 4th than in 5th. You likely got off the accelerator pedal which further slowed the engine making the difference between 4th drive gear (engine side) and 4th driven gear (differential and axle side) even greater. The worn synchro can't cope with that difference in gear set rotation rates.

3rd to 4th is an up shift. The engine will be spinning slower in 4th than in 3rd. You likely got off the accelerator pedal which slowed the engine making the difference between 4th drive gear (engine side) and 4th driven gear (differential and axle side) less. The worn synchro can easily cope with that lesser difference in gear set rotation rates.

Pennzoil Syncromesh is a GL-3 oil. It is not suited for hypoid type ring and pinion final drive due to not having the higher shear friction modifier additives the combined mesh and slide action of an off-set pinion centerline relative to the ring (axle) centerline will require.
Fortunately the transverse front drive VW don't have hypoid final drive. A GL-4 or GL-5 is not of sufficient benefit to justify use when the Syncromesh can alleviate (mask) many of the age and wear issues with the transmission syncronizers. It won't renew the syncro, but it will defer teardown and replacement for a long time.
That is not an endorsement. I used it in my worn A3, A4, B4. I use it, just put two new quarts, in my Sonett yesterday. It is NOT a manufacturer recomended lube for those transmissions, so it's your responsibility if you choose to use it 'off-label'.

 

[454k30]

Sorry I forgot to link it.

Deluxe MK4 Shifter Bushing Kit

All the MK4 shifter bushings in one convenient, money saving kit! If your MK4 Shifter is sloppy you can buy this kit to get everything you need to make it great

dieselgeek.com

Do these adjustments first. Take a look at the rod ends as well. The number of "syncro" issues that I encounter that then end up being worn out/broken rod ends is significant.

 

[LeisureDave]

Do these adjustments first. Take a look at the rod ends as well. The number of "syncro" issues that I encounter that then end up being worn out/broken rod ends is significant.

What are the rod ends? Do you mean cable ends?

 

[454k30]

What are the rod ends? Do you mean cable ends?

yes. The cable ends