2.0tdi B8 Gearbox Code/Identification

[bantamdave21]

Hiya,

apologies from the still novice….I recently had my clutch replaced around 1000 miles ago. Now have developed a not so nice noise first thoughts were wheel bearing so checked them all even replaced the front I hadn’t already replaced and the noise still there. So I’m thinking the worse even if at 175k miles. Not sure if losing oil at clutch change is possible and not been topped up or pure coincidence. It’s going back to the clutch garage today for a check over in case I’ve missed anything on the drive. But suspect it’s going to be needed a new/another box….

so the question is there a way to identify the box fitted before it’s removed….I’m hoping the clutch garage would be willing to swap it at my cost if it does seem to be the box so would like to start my search for a replacement - it’s a 6 sp manual SE teknic 2014 I’m hoping the answer is all the 6sp are the same or code this or that from x year 🙏

 

thanks

[Magnet]

Hello Dave,

Sorry to hear of your issue. 
Re. the noise you think is from the gearbox:- 

Is this noise the same in every gear?

Is it the same when you accelerate, and does it alter when you decelerate? 
Have you checked the gearbox oil level? 
All the above may be useful to be knowledgeable on before returning the car. 
As an aside, wheel bearing associated noises normally change as you go around bends, as the stresses are placed on or off the bearings. 
Good luck with sorting it out, but it would be a bit of a coincidence that the gearbox develops issues directly after the clutch has been renewed. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.

p.s. It might be worthwhile to have an independent opinion on the issue before you return the car for checking. 
 

[bantamdave21]

3 hours ago, Magnet said:

Hello Dave,

Sorry to hear of your issue. 
Re. the noise you think is from the gearbox:- 

Is this noise the same in every gear?

Is it the same when you accelerate, and does it alter when you decelerate? 
Have you checked the gearbox oil level? 
All the above may be useful to be knowledgeable on before returning the car. 
As an aside, wheel bearing associated noises normally change as you go around bends, as the stresses are placed on or off the bearings. 
Good luck with sorting it out, but it would be a bit of a coincidence that the gearbox develops issues directly after the clutch has been renewed. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.

p.s. It might be worthwhile to have an independent opinion on the issue before you return the car for checking. 
 

And that’s what’s throwing me the noise is the same regardless of road surface, straight, left or right hand bends etc. the garage thinks it’s the drivers bearing. I span both and could only hear anything in passenger so changed that. 
 

I’ve just fitted a new bearing in the new drivers knuckle I have (the bolts seized in my top arms and has been on my list a short while - I don’t have facilities to heat or burn the bolt out)

so tomorrow AM when it’s hopefully not too warm I’ll swap it over and do all the arms and ARB link at same time (another needed job) and if nothing else I’ll have replaced everything on drivers side too but will keep fingers crossed it’s the bearing….

[Magnet]

Thanks David.

Checked tyres for any abnormalities? - then swop back for fronts to see if noise changes tone-source. 

[bantamdave21]

That would be my next normally but all new, well less than 2000 miles. I’ve not noticed lumps or bumps in them when I did the other bearing and no jilting of the wheel….

hopefully it’s the drivers bearing and I just couldn’t spin it up on the drive quick enough. I should’ve jacked it and spun it with the engine although that wouldn’t eliminate the gearbox but at least I could isolate sides…

[bantamdave21]

Road tested and was bearing. I’m still baffled in honesty, nothing in the bearing spun by hand and feels lovely and smooth - never had a bearing like that in 20+ years but pleased its not the gearbox or not yet.

new knuckle (couldn’t get the bolt out) all new arms, ARB link which all needed doing.

the photo is the bearing from pass side which I fitted around 10k ago (I only had one new one which went on pass side around a week ago while trying to track the noise. I don’t like fitting a used bearing back but it was for proving purposes and have ordered a new new one to pop in next week.

Tracking tomorrow 

phew…

Thanks for input….as always 

[Magnet]

Thanks Dave, glad it’s sorted. 
Bearing serviceability ‘off load’ may give you the impression it’s OK. Under load - totally different! 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[bantamdave21]

Indeed….just an unusual one for me. I must’ve done 100’s over the years.

Anyway she’s had some more love today new alternator and deflector pulley. The only bits I didn’t change with timing belt and still had a noise. At the time when I was getting timing belt parts i wasn’t sure where the noise was so rather than order an alternator pulley kit and fit it was the alternator I figured I’d go with everything is new so it’ll do another however many thousand miles….even did crankshaft damper pulley so I knew it was good for a long time. And thankfully the engine noise has gone now too….

keep changing the oil every 5-6k and hope she lives a long life. Don’t work hard motorway to kent every week steady away

[bantamdave21]

And after all that….I’ve just fitted Apple CarPlay box also then I see a 2017 B9 A4 Avant in twilight grey for a steal of a price and couldn’t help but buy it. Wasn’t even looking….

So now the saloon has to go….gutted as it literally has new allsorts of everything and will be solid for years to come