Gear problems!

[suzanne1]

Well I made it to Sicily after refusing a new turbo, and asking them to spray brake fluid on the turbo vanes and haven't gone into limp mode since (though not travelling as far and fast). Now van isn't going into 1st gear after having a bit of a problem with reverse. Any ideas before I call the AA again?

 

[sidepod]

Have you been drinking?

 

[suzanne1]

Have you been drinking?

No but that may well be the answer!

 

[reserves]

I had a problem with my Touran and limp mode, it was actually caused by the Dual Mass Flywheel, so if yours has this, could the limp mode and gear issues be connected?

 

[Loz]

Well I made it to Sicily after refusing a new turbo, and asking them to spray brake fluid CLEANER on the turbo vanes and haven't gone into limp mode since (though not travelling as far and fast). Now van isn't going into 1st gear after having a bit of a problem with reverse. Any ideas before I call the AA again?

Sounds like the selector lever cable adjustment...

 

[briwy]

I had an Octavia with the same sort of problems. LIkes reserves it was the dual mass flywheel. Caused a lot of damage to the gearbox when it let go so maybe get it checked out before anything really bad happens.
Didn't go into limp mode though.

 

[suzanne1]

Thanks for this info. If it is the dual mass flywheel and fixing it fixes both problems it will be a far more relaxing return trip! Could that have caused some vibration at certain speeds? It's in the service centre in Syracuse at the moment so I'll see what they find. My husband flew here a few days ago so he is now having to share my pain!

 

[reserves]

Thanks for this info. If it is the dual mass flywheel and fixing it fixes both problems it will be a far more relaxing return trip! Could that have caused some vibration at certain speeds? It's in the service centre in Syracuse at the moment so I'll see what they find. My husband flew here a few days ago so he is now having to share my pain!

Yes to the vibrations if I remember correctly

 

[briwy]

Yes it could cause vibration if it's breaking up as it will be out of balance.
Good luck, hope you get it sorted.

 

[snowy55]

I hope your husband has got his wallet with him

 

[sidepod]

If it's breaking up then I'd park it. If it let's go whilst you're driving you'll be adding a new gearbox to the bill.

 

[suzanne1]

RIP van I think. €7000 parts before 2 days labour added. Difficult to get all info as my Italian not brilliant. New gearbox + driveshaft (other driveshaft was replaced 1 month ago). Don't think it is worth repairing. Loved my van but it was the most expensive thing to own ever. 139 thousand miles, 11 years old had started to cost well over £1000 every visit to VW (at least yearly and often more). I feel something so pricy with so much spent on it should have lasted longer. Now crying in my airbnb apartment in Ortigia and unsure whether to carry on trip with hire car and airbnb or call it a day and go home. AA repatriating the body. Ridiculous 1st thought is that I should get another and replace it every 3 years just before warranty runs out. Also now really really glad I didn't repair the cosmetic rust and bash before I set off!

 

[larrylamb]

Sorry to hear the bad news. Your Cali is still desirable to a lot of people so all is not lost. Maybe need to do a few sums, see how much you can get as is but will probably be worth fixing and then selling IMO.

 

[snowy55]

Get it taken to a good independent VW specialist who will charge alot less an hour to work on it.
All the running gear is T5 van based so loads of secondhand/remanufactured stuff about. You won't of course benefit from the VW main stealership warranty but you will have paid a fraction of the price!

 

[sidepod]

Get it taken to a good independent VW specialist who will charge alot less an hour to work on it.
All the running gear is T5 van based so loads of secondhand/remanufactured stuff about. You won't of course benefit from the VW main stealership warranty but you will have paid a fraction of the price!

Due to the fragile nature of the T5 power plant, second hand prices for stuff like that are high. My mechanic hates them.
He has dead vans sitting there waiting for the owner to find an engine they can afford.

I'd still repair it and keep/sell. You will get your money back.