Rumble/Viberation When Engaging Clutch

whiplash willy

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Portland Oregon
TDI
2012 4-Door Golf TDI 6MT w/NAV & Sunroof
As I am engaging the clutch in 1st or R from a stop, I can hear/feel a rumble/vibration noise. It is more pronounced when going up a hill, and less pronounced when going downhill. I have about 1000 miles on the car, and it has been doing this since new.

Is this normal for a TDI MT DMF, or is something wrong?

I got a chance to test drive a 2012 GTI MT, and noticed it didn't have this rumble/vibration nos at all. But since the TDI is a "rougher" engine, I am not sure if that means anything or not.
 

MayorDJQ

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Location
Williamstown, Mass
TDI
'10 Golf 2dr 6m, sold.
Is that with or without throttle input? Some cars/clutches will chatter with too much throttle before engagement.

There are two possibilities: a defect in the clutch or it's your clutching technique. Take another 6M car for a test drive. If the same thing happens, it may be you.

No offense intedned.
 

whiplash willy

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Portland Oregon
TDI
2012 4-Door Golf TDI 6MT w/NAV & Sunroof
No offense taken. It happens with no throttle input, as well as a varying range of throttle input. I also found today that it does it as well when trying to start from a stop in 2nd gear as well. If I am slowly rolling the noise/vibration isn't as noticeable.

My dealer doesn't even have a manual TDI in stock! They say they will let me know when one comes in so I can test drive it.....It doesn't sound like others are having or noticing this issue though.
 

MayorDJQ

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Location
Williamstown, Mass
TDI
'10 Golf 2dr 6m, sold.
Chattering from a stop in 2nd is no surprise, as 2nd isn't intended to get moving from a dead stop.

Is this your first manual transmission?
 

whiplash willy

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Portland Oregon
TDI
2012 4-Door Golf TDI 6MT w/NAV & Sunroof
Chattering from a stop in 2nd is no surprise, as 2nd isn't intended to get moving from a dead stop.

Is this your first manual transmission?
It "chatters" the same in 1st as it does 2nd. I am not sure if i would call it a chatter either, more of a low rough rumble, but only as i am letting out the clutch. It is my 5th manual car, but first manual with a DMF and paired to a diesel engine. All of my other manual cars have been from 1985-94 though. It isn't my technique or ability that is causing the noise, it is the clutch/DMF itself that is making the noise. I am just trying to determine if it is normal or not.

Like I said before, even a new 6mt GTI doesn't make this noise, so maybe there is something wrong with the car, however, I have yet been able to test another manual tdi to confirm this or not
 

whiplash willy

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Portland Oregon
TDI
2012 4-Door Golf TDI 6MT w/NAV & Sunroof
In addition to this chatter my gear shifter shakes/vibrates in 2nd and 4th, but only when letting off the throttle. It only happens about 50% of the time when I go into these gears, and sometimes I can get it to go away by shifting into N, then back into 2nd or 4th. When I get some time i am going to check the linkage and bracket to see if they are contacting something in these positions. I will also see if a DG SS fixes this problem as well.

The few threads I have read on this issue, everyone has had to get a new transmission because of bad bearings or syncros....I really hope I don't have to have the dealer tear this transmission out and put a refurb in.....

Seriously though, how come I have such bad luck with transmissions? My 2011 Jetta's DSG had several issues, which was part of the reason I got rid of it. VW's manuals are supposed to be reliable, but this one already has 2 issues at 1300miles.....
 
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MayorDJQ

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Location
Williamstown, Mass
TDI
'10 Golf 2dr 6m, sold.
Has it been to the dealer yet? I wouldn't install a short shifter just yet, as the dealer could easily blame the SS for causing the problem, and how would you prove to them it was there before the SS install?

I would get it to the dealer before trying anything yourself.
 

Ironhands

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Location
AZ
TDI
1999 beetle
clutch chatter

I agree with mayorDJQ. This clutch problem is not normal, regardless of vehicle. If it was an older car, I would suspect contamination on the clutch (oil or other fluid). As the vehicle is new, take it back to the dealer and make him fix it.
 

whiplash willy

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Location
Portland Oregon
TDI
2012 4-Door Golf TDI 6MT w/NAV & Sunroof
Has it been to the dealer yet? I wouldn't install a short shifter just yet, as the dealer could easily blame the SS for causing the problem, and how would you prove to them it was there before the SS install?

I would get it to the dealer before trying anything yourself.
Yea good call on the SS, I won't install it until these issues are fixed. I have been trying to avoid taking it to the dealer at any cost, for fear that they may cause more problem then they fix, but it is looking like I may end up having to risk it:(
 
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