general syncro query

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 14 May 2006, 17:57

I think you've been driving the wrong ones Clive!

I think you haven't driven enough to comment.

Post by **syncro4wd** » 14 May 2006, 19:01

I think you haven't driven enough to comment.

Sorry, but this is just a stupid remark...besides that 90% of your remarks are very negative....there are still plenty of good syncros around. Yes, if you are always going for cheap....then......

Cheers,

Erwin

Post by **HarryMann** » 14 May 2006, 19:57

I think you've been driving the wrong ones Clive!

Maybe, but on the other hand I wouldn't invite me to try to beat the syncro on any of yours when stone cold - and I certainly won't be inviting anyone to try that on mine.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 14 May 2006, 20:27

Diamond Hell wrote:
I think you've been driving the wrong ones Clive!

I think you haven't driven enough to comment.

Not had your end away this week Thom?

s'not just slammed and spoilt ones in the Brickwerks garage you know..
Got a fair few syncro owners frequenting the old place, some very tidy ones too that don't crunch through the gearbox.
VW didn't design them to crunch you know, they ain't all kerfurtled.

Post by **HarryMann** » 14 May 2006, 22:02

Of course they're not all kerfuffled, but many gearboxes of that era, and to some extent today, even when new would have 'limited' synchromesh effectiveness with cold oil and lack of resilence when abused... not only 1st to 2nd either.

If they were that good, how could they get worn out (some so soon), when most of the wear on those parts can be through poor changes (when cold?)

There were a few other things in that article that might be said to be a bit too black and white or glossed over to be really helpful when posted as a guide to buying a Syncro. I was hoping to point up just one thing that I thought was given the wrong emphasis and that without knowing these vehicles, could easily be misconstrued on a test drive.

I'm sure when Michael revisits the article, he will make it read more like a small black mark against, rather than the large one that it sounded like to me... for otherwise, the gearbox rebuilders and suppliers will be having a field-day as we all rush off to spend a small fortune fixing such a serious problem

But could they cope?

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 14 May 2006, 22:26

And there was me just thinking you had to poo poo everything Michael says and does..

To me a crunching gearbox is a serious problem, probably second only to buying a new engine in terms of financial outlay if it goes t!ts up.
If I were looking to buy a syncro and the gearbox was makin all sorts of noises it shouldn't make then I would be tempted to think again, wouldn't you?
Mind you, I work on the principle of buying something that works as it should and spend a bit more rather than buy something cheaper and spend ages dicking about with it. Working on my own vehicles doesn't seem that enjoyable.

Post by **HarryMann** » 14 May 2006, 22:41

If I were looking to buy a syncro and the gearbox was makin all sorts of noises it shouldn't make then I would be tempted to think again, wouldn't you?

OK, Yes...

But from memory, that's not what he was saying, nor me commenting on...

Post by **bigbluebus** » 15 May 2006, 09:00

Got a fair few syncro owners frequenting the old place,

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 15 May 2006, 10:50

Well now, that's odd, CJ has mentioned the slowness of the 1-2 change when the gearbox is cold, Clive's mentioned it, Jake's mentioned it, I've experienced it on numerous Syncros.... sheesh, I forget who else has mentioned it..... maybe there's something magical about Yorkshire-based Syncros that improves the shift quality 1-2.

There's a big difference between slow synchros when a gearbox is cold and a knackered gearbox.

Mind you, I work on the principle of buying something that works as it should

Something that works as it should ? Like a fuel filter, maybe? Having a blown plastic tank Syncros wouldn't have the sort of problem a rotting 2WD might have , or the problem with the fuel filler, as that's mounted higher up, too.

Oh, I got plenty at the weekend, too thanks and it was great, cheers.

Please note other friendly Syncro specialists are available for help, advice, parts and service.

Post by **Flibbertigibbet** » 15 May 2006, 10:55

Diamond Hell wrote: There's a big difference between slow synchros when a gearbox is cold and a knackered gearbox.

No H in Syncro....

Post by **Horza** » 15 May 2006, 11:03

I'm going to say this quietly in case I've missed the point.

My 2wd five speed box can be a little pig between 1st and 2nd when cold. It's been like that since I bought it. I used advice from people here when I was buying a van and was given to understand it is to be expected. Is my gearbox shagged? Should I not have bought my van? Have I made a terrible error based on good intentioned advice?

I know in my case it's "just" a gearbox and it's a bit diferent for a syncro but still, are we saying 1st to 2nd problems when cold are a sign of serious iminent problems? Shouldn't we put it in the Wiki and buyers guides and everywhere so no one makes my mistake?

Can someone lend me a gearbox so I can send mine away to be fixed?

Julie, Syncro - Four wheel drive VW. Synchro' - Short for Synchromesh.

Post by **Flibbertigibbet** » 15 May 2006, 11:11

I was just teasing....won't happen again

*reminds self to be serious at all times*

Post by **Horza** » 15 May 2006, 11:15

Gah, I just figured that, I'll get over myself now.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 15 May 2006, 17:52

We aren't on about slowness, were on about noises.

Blimey, all this kuffuffle over this...

"Check that the gearbox is good as these are £750 upwards 2nd hand from a reputable outlet. From cold, the gear shifts should be easy and not crunch. Gear selection should be easy (not like stiring a wooden spoon!) and it should be easy to select any gear."

Fuel filter, bugger, yeah you got me there

250 miles short of it's replacement! and would have bee fine if not driven in anger around the test track, my fault completely.
I did buy it right first time, It's just what I did to it that killed it.
service is due now, I was just going to do it's first 1000 miles and do the lot together to keep the service book all nice, still, 250 miles short. and the drive home was 260 miles so it's 10 miles over it's scheduled service, unlucky I guess. Plastic tank is a bonus of a syncro, buying cheap fuel from dodgy country fuel stations isn't good practice!

Nowt magical about Yorkshire syncro's, infact theres not many from Yorkshire that come, they seem to come from further afield, yes some are "slow" and some crunch, to me the ones that crunch have problems that need addressing and I wouldn't want to be buying a crunchy one, which is what is said in the link.

I would have posted a link to the 80-90 syncro buyers guide but I couldn't find it?

Please not there are other club 80-90 members available for helpfull, friendly advice.

Post by **HarryMann** » 15 May 2006, 18:26

From cold, the gear shifts should be easy and not crunch

... but in fact, they frequently do, particularly 1st~2nd, so read this to see if it helps you avoid the problem

club80-90's very useful wiki - reference T25 g/c reluctance, written in resposne to several posts asking about best oil to use to avoid the problem

and if it changes OK when the oil starts to warm up, then its probably par for the course and unlikely to get rapidly worse if you follow the advice given - regardless, don't let it stop you buying the vehicle if the box is quiet and without other selection problems.