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4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 07 Jul 2015 19:54
by Tiny Howarth
Bought this van last September with a slight gearbox noise when idling, depressed clutch no noise, Mayfair gearbox took for drive prior to purchase and said clutch spring, gearbox fine. Not so sure now if clutch spring, changed gear oil and found a small piece of metal stuck to drain plug, noise has not decreased or increased since purchase, should i be worried?
All inputs are welcome.

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 07 Jul 2015 21:54
by Wilkie
Hi Tiny
I think ,depending on the severity of the noise ,most hard working cars and vehicle gearboxes make a noise even from new.
When your car is idling in neutral ,the input shaft is turning at engine rpm and there is no load on the gears which tends to rattle a bit,and as soon as you press the clutch,the complete gear train in the gearbox comes to rest,and everything is nice and quite.
If the noise is severe,it is normally the input and layshaft bearings starting to wear(which happens due to lack of sufficient oil changes)
Hope its not serious
:dogrun:

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:26
by Tiny Howarth
Thanks Wilkie, makes sense.
Noise not to severe, sounds similar to a release bearing.
Only thing whats got me worried is the piece of metal i found with the oil change, it could be a part or piece of a bearing race, i spoke to previous owner and he said he never worked on the gearbox, and he had the van for 3 years, he also said he bought it with that noise.
Do you think i should pull the box?
Any idea of what i can expect to pay for change of bearings? i will pull the box myself.

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:36
by Herrie
I also think it is the bearing.

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:57
by Wilkie
I think its quite a tricky box to pull and dismantle,that might be the most expensive side of repairs.
What you can do to test and get a better idea of the problem ,is to listen when you driving.. do you hear the noise in any of the gears,or does it get louder as the gear selection goes higher,but in 4th gear its quite and in 5th gear ,you can hear the noise again,if so ,it is the input shaft and layshaft bearings that is starting to fade,but you will definitely hear it .don't go look for noises

maybe if you can put a picture of that piece you found in the oil on the thread
:think:

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 14:57
by JoshJ
Hi Tiny.

You have a pm :salute:

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 15:29
by Clem
Tiny Howarth wrote:Bought this van last September with a slight gearbox noise when idling, depressed clutch no noise, Mayfair gearbox took for drive prior to purchase and said clutch spring, gearbox fine. Not so sure now if clutch spring, changed gear oil and found a small piece of metal stuck to drain plug, noise has not decreased or increased since purchase, should i be worried?
All inputs are welcome.
Well, how big is this piece of metal? Do you have a photograph of it?

It is not unusual to find some small metal particles attached to a magnetic transmission drain plug. If however it is a fairly big chunk of metal, then it is another matter altogether. Even then however it does not necessarily denote anything serious – it could simply have been knocked off by somebody grating the gears.

If you are seriously concerned, then I suggest you go with an oil analysis before you started doing any serious stripping.

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 18:14
by Russ Kellermann
Metal filings = Acceptable
Metal Pieces = Unacceptable

Hope you get it sorted out Tiny. Would hate to see a good strong box completely totalled due to a small failure somewhere.

Just a warning from personal experience - do not deal with Mayfair Gearbox in Cape Town. Simple as that. I see you in Namibia tho, so hopefully a good gearbox firm close by to help you.

Keep us all posted on the gearbox issue mate.

Russ.

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 18:20
by Peter Connan
I am under the impression that the heavy-duty clutch for the 4.2 Diesel is well known for a clutch rumble. However I can't remember if the rumble occurs with clutch engaged or disengaged.

What size was the piece? In the mean time, I think an oil analasys is probably a good idea.

Re: 4.2TDI Gearbox Should i worry

Posted: 08 Jul 2015 19:33
by Tinus lotz
Mr boegman's bakkies all got that rumble lets give him a chance to get back on line ...he is working in moz side of the kruger