Banging and Whining! - Gearbox?

[multiphil]

Guys,

My van has been making an odd banging noise/feel when I pull off at low speed but it clears up as soon as I've pulled away (NOT at idle, only when in gear). Didn't know if it was something to do with the clutch or the drive-shafty-type-thing? I'm no mechanic!

Also - dunno if this is related - first gear has started whining quite loudly when I pull away (or change down to first), and the gears have always seemed quite stiff and clunky to be honest.

It's a dog-leg gearbox with a 2.1 DJ w/111k

Cheers.

[ricicles]

front mount? mine used to wine like a b*TCH and bang around a lot when cold, new engine mount. sorted it. then the gearbox gave up and i had to have it rebuilt speak to aiden.

[rainman]

I'm no mechanic either but if it shudders when pulling away that sounds like clutch slipping to me. If you can pull away in second (enough revs and not uphill) then it's not clutch. I repeat, I'm no mechanic!

[VWCamperfan]

Change gearbox oil and add molyslip. After 200 miles the whining should have reduced.
Have you checked your gearbox oil level? I suspect your gearbox oil may be low to cause this.

As said above, check engine and gearbox mounts for a possible cure to the knocking.

[multiphil]

Change gearbox oil and add molyslip. After 200 miles the whining should have reduced.
Have you checked your gearbox oil level? I suspect your gearbox oil may be low to cause this.

Somewhat embarrassingly, I don't know how! Is there a dipstick or some way I can observe the level?

[VWCamperfan]

There's a filling plug tucked behind the gear linkages on the gearbox (drivers side). It's a bit out of the way but you should spot it.
Undo this threaded plug and 'have a poke around' with a finger (don't get it stuck!) below the hole. If the van is on level ground you should get an oily finger!
Can't remember the size of tool needed for removing this plug but it's a large allen key shape! Someone should be along shortly with the size.

[Ian Hulley]

Can't remember the size of tool needed for removing this plug but it's a large allen key shape! Someone should be along shortly with the size.

17mm

[VWCamperfan]

Thanks Ian!

[Ian Hulley]

Scrape out the hexagon well so you get a good, straight grip ..... and don't round it orf

Ian

[jamesc76]

Goto Halfwits etc and get a 17mm drain plug key to get the plug out the side they can be stupid tight as often never been out!!!! The oil stinks too but dont think you'll get any one you by the sound of it its very low might be worth getting some gear oil and draining whats in there (drain piont if also 17mm drain plug on the bottom near the engine) and filling it with fresh new oil!

[multiphil]

I'm no mechanic either but if it shudders when pulling away that sounds like clutch slipping to me. If you can pull away in second (enough revs and not uphill) then it's not clutch. I repeat, I'm no mechanic!

I can pull away in second.

Cheers guys, will have a look at the gearbox oil tomorrow.

Anyone shed any more light on the banging when pulling away?

Cheers

[ricicles]

gearbox mount!

[Red Westie]

Clutch judder! is normally caused when the drive is not taken up smoothly when pulling away. A common cause is oil contamination either from the imput shaft or rear main oil seals. Broken or weak engine/gearbox metalastic mounting rubbers can also allow excessive oscillating movement which results in banging/juddering when pulling away.
Check mountings.....check the clutch itself for any broken spings in the centre plate and or oil contamination.
Martin

[multiphil]

Clutch judder! is normally caused when the drive is not taken up smoothly when pulling away. A common cause is oil contamination either from the imput shaft or rear main oil seals. Broken or weak engine/gearbox metalastic mounting rubbers can also allow excessive oscillating movement which results in banging/juddering when pulling away.
Check mountings.....check the clutch itself for any broken spings in the centre plate and or oil contamination.
Martin

Cool, I thought it may have been something to do with the clutch but some investigation will now have to happen. Probably by a garage