Transmission problem

[maktas]

First off, hello all!! its been a while since I was on here.

So today I am driving home and all of a sudden, no power, then as a applied pressure on the accelerator, the RPMs rev'ed up only. I stopped the car, turned it off, turned it back on, put it in Drive and nothing!!

Reverse works with some noise and lots of vibration.

I was stuck in the middle of the road and had it towed to a nearby transmission place.

First question; 1) How bad is this? 2) what should I do?

I have 298k (KMs) on this car now. Its also due for 2nd timing belt

Otherwise, I kept the car in excellent shape, it still looks new!

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[thundershorts]

you have an internal failure of the gearbox. most here would probably agree that transmission shop overhaul of this gearbox is a really bad idea as they use aftermarket kits rather than the expensive zf parts. vw Canada apparently has a high price on the zf reman gearbox so if you can get one in the states it will be much less. Here recently was a thread concerning cost of a 5sp with all the parts needed for conversion for about 1650 and that was delivered from Europe. Obviously that may be least expensive route. Again I would caution against transmission shop overhaul of this gearbox as you are almost 100% likely to have problems, even though they assure you their warranty is good, they simply don't replace everything necessary or have the proper tooling to reman it to new specs as the zf reman trans.

 

[maktas]

Does anyone suggest a re-manufactured box from outside?

 

[aja8888]

Does anyone suggest a re-manufactured box from outside?

You really have to be careful here with the ZF units. Best bet is a factory reman supplied by VW. I got one (in the states) for ~$3000 with the torque converter. I don't know what a similar unit will cost in Canada though.

Like TS said, third party rebuilders use the cheapest parts and you may end up with a mess on your hands (which you are experiencing at the moment). These are the same transmissions that go in some Audis and BMWs so quality is a must here.

 

[maktas]

I am wondering what could have lead to this failure... I sometimes use the tiptronic mode to down shift to help with braking, maybe this is the reason for failure??

 

[aja8888]

We had a Passat B5.5 that had the trans go south with no apparent warning @120,000 miles. Completely shot inside (hard parts) and we were religious about fluid changes every 40K.

 

[DezlDan]

Here's an anecdotal story for you, but one worth sharing, and I wonder if it is applicable to the OP. I am going to try and keep this simple. My neighbor and I both bought 2005 Passat TDI wagons together as part of a 3 car buy, for negotiating power. We both serviced our transmissions and had the screen and fluids changed at the same time, but I used the OE fluid, and he used the dealership offered BG fluid, which has the manufacturers claim on it of "meets or exceeds". This is not an official VW designation. A year and a half later his transmission blew, and they found grenaded chunks inside; it was not the usual TC failure. Mine is still perfectly fine. Our mileages were not the same, so there are other variables here to consider, but for that reason, I will never use BG. Word to the wise: all the dealerships around here use BG on their transmission service packages, as they can keep the price waaay down as a result. They do not disclose this to the customer, but a code on the receipt will identify that a BG product was used. I have never used anything other than the very expensive OE fluid, and so far, so good.

 

[thundershorts]

You can't go wrong with Pentocin products. BG?

 

[aja8888]

You can't go wrong with Pentocin products. BG?

http://www.bgprod.com/company.html

 

[Uberhare]

If your car is at a generic tranny shop get it out of there and take it to a specialist.

 

[thundershorts]

Once they get their paws into it, you're in for a really good screwing.

 

[maktas]

I found a donor B5.5 in B.C It had 138K (KMS) the auto salvage place is looking for $2000 for the tranny. I am thinking this is my best bet.

 

[maktas]

If your car is at a generic tranny shop get it out of there and take it to a specialist.

My car is at the best tranny place in my town anyway, they have lots of VW experience.

 

[maktas]

Here's an anecdotal story for you, but one worth sharing, and I wonder if it is applicable to the OP. I am going to try and keep this simple. My neighbor and I both bought 2005 Passat TDI wagons together as part of a 3 car buy, for negotiating power. We both serviced our transmissions and had the screen and fluids changed at the same time, but I used the OE fluid, and he used the dealership offered BG fluid, which has the manufacturers claim on it of "meets or exceeds". This is not an official VW designation. A year and a half later his transmission blew, and they found grenaded chunks inside; it was not the usual TC failure. Mine is still perfectly fine. Our mileages were not the same, so there are other variables here to consider, but for that reason, I will never use BG. Word to the wise: all the dealerships around here use BG on their transmission service packages, as they can keep the price waaay down as a result. They do not disclose this to the customer, but a code on the receipt will identify that a BG product was used. I have never used anything other than the very expensive OE fluid, and so far, so good.

It is very interesting but as a trained engineer, I can't really draw a conclusion from this without more statistical data. I am pretty pissed off to be honest at "german engineering"... it has cost me over $7000 between unchaining the balance shaft and now this tranny transplant

 

[DezlDan]

It is very interesting but as a trained engineer, I can't really draw a conclusion from this without more statistical data. I am pretty pissed off to be honest at "german engineering"... it has cost me over $7000 between unchaining the balance shaft and now this tranny transplant

So you need more info from me to know whether you ever had a transmission flush at the dealership? If so, they may have used BG fluid. My neighbor bought the VW of Canada re-man tranny; has never changed or flushed the OE fluid; and the tranny has outlasted his original factory transmission which was flushed with BG. If not compelling, it is an interesting anecdote re: BG vs OE fluid.

 

[vwztips]

I found a donor B5.5 in B.C It had 138K (KMS) the auto salvage place is looking for $2000 for the tranny. I am thinking this is my best bet.

This is not a great deal. You have no idea how that gearbox was maintained and could be getting the same (or worse) as what you have. Yes they will "warranty" the part, but most yards do not cover labor and this is not a cheap labor bill to R&R

The wiser choice would be getting a reman'd unit from VW with the TC included for around $3000 and a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.

Of course you could convert it to a manual and not have to worry about the transmission anymore.

 

[vwztips]

BTW, 185,000 miles and 8 years is hard to complain about for poor service. It seems these tranny's are good for 150k-200k. The car I have now has been converted to a manual but the original automatic went 311k miles. I would say it was the excpetion to the rule though.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I guess I'll pass for a loony; our B5.5 has 254k km on it. Never flushed the tranny. Knock on wood, still no failure but shifts are getting a bit harsh. So far I've had both front fenders, two front doors, and the trunk lid replaced by VW for corrosion. I've done the geared BSM update. I'd like to hang onto the car for a while.

My current idea is to do a manual transmission conversion and use it for commuting for the rest of my working career which I estimate at 1-3 years, extending the life expectancy of my Golf hatch well into my retirement. I know I'll also have to face more CV joint and suspension arm replacements and that ain't cheap, but compared to the cost of having to replace my Golf sooner rather than later, it's a good deal. I mean body-wise, it's practically a new car thanks to VW

 

[maktas]

If I can get 100K (kMs) more i will be happy

 

[maktas]

This is not a great deal. You have no idea how that gearbox was maintained and could be getting the same (or worse) as what you have. Yes they will "warranty" the part, but most yards do not cover labor and this is not a cheap labor bill to R&R

The wiser choice would be getting a reman'd unit from VW with the TC included for around $3000 and a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.

Of course you could convert it to a manual and not have to worry about the transmission anymore.

I called VW parts dept here in canada, they told me I was up the creek without a paddle meaning I can't get that deal.

 

[aja8888]

I called VW parts dept here in canada, they told me I was up the creek without a paddle meaning I can't get that deal.

You are one bridge away from Motor City.

 

[thundershorts]

The US price for trans is far less than vw Canada.

 

[Uberhare]

The last time I checked it was $4300 Cdn I believe. For $1300 I'd drive across the bridge.

 

[maktas]

The last time I checked it was $4300 Cdn I believe. For $1300 I'd drive across the bridge.

I'd like to know where you got that quote because the local vw part dept didn't even give me a number because it was so obscene
I will take my chances with this used unit at least I know it that it has OE parts

 

[maktas]

BTW, 185,000 miles and 8 years is hard to complain about for poor service. It seems these tranny's are good for 150k-200k. The car I have now has been converted to a manual but the original automatic went 311k miles. I would say it was the excpetion to the rule though.

Ya what am I complaining about? If this was a 90s model Ford Escort I would agree with you but this is suppose to be a premium "German engineered" automobile that I purchased for fuel economy and longevity what's the use if I have to dump 3 grand every 4 years or so?

 

[johnboy00]

This is a long shot but 2 years ago when my transmission went, member Mogly in Sarnia had one that he offered me. It's worth a PM to see if he still has it.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=14844

 

[thundershorts]

There are members here who have changed to 5-6 speed and may have a gearbox which they know to be operational. In any event, it would be foolish not to put in a reman or new tc if you decide to roll the dice with a used unit. A junkyard unit is really not a wise choice.

 

[maktas]

There are members here who have changed to 5-6 speed and may have a gearbox which they know to be operational. In any event, it would be foolish not to put in a reman or new tc if you decide to roll the dice with a used unit. A junkyard unit is really not a wise choice.

I'm not gonna spend 4-5 grand on this car I'm sorry

 

[vwztips]

As you know, automatic transmissions are much more complicated and prone to wear than the engine. 200k miles of service from any OEM's transmission is reasonable.

Potentially you could spend more than $4k-$5k going with a used transmission. Frankly I would consider selling as is and forego the gamble you will take with a used one. Most likely you would be ahead of the game by selling now vs the used route with no known history, practically speaking of course

 

[vwztips]

Of course you could convert to a manual and have a more dependable and fun car and increase the value at the same time. You would be talking the same or less money.