HELP!!! Gearbox Trouble!!!

[AndyC1982]

Hi All,

I have lurked on here for a few months but this is my first post so any help would be fantastic

I recently purchased (from my father in law) a fantastic X reg Avus RS4 B5 with 80k on the clock. WHAT A MACHINE!!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Today I was taking my wife shopping and we pulled up in the car park and I went to put it in reverse and found that it wouldn't go, after it eventually went in and I got parked, I then tried to put it in 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th with no real luck, I managed to get it into 2nd and got home thankfully it was only a few miles.

Does anyone know what could have caused this or have experience of this?

Is it the standard syncro issue?

Is there anyone in the North East (England) that i could take it to?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

[Blue_Thunder]

Does it have a short shifter installed?

Could be the linkage has just come loose. You can check by unsrewing the gearknob, pulling up the gearstick surround, undoing the two bolts you can see, then pulling the sound proofing bit up.

One of the rods going to the bottom of the shifter may have worked loose.

[AndyC1982]

Thanks Blue Thunder

No it doesn't have a short shifter.

I'll give it a go

Andrew

[Badgersuk]

Where are you in the North East? I had the same problem on mine a while back and it was the main clutch release bearing that had gone. As far as i know there is no-one in the north east worth taking it to so get it to APS or equivelent specalist to get it sorted. I'm in York so feel free to PM if you are nearby and you want me to come have a "feel" to try and help diagnose.

Mine happened at about 88k i think so might be something to do with the age?

Cheers

Stu

[rsmonkey918]

Mine baulks a bit into reverse- did you force it? I usually engage then disengage a couple of times and it that doesn't work I put it in 5th and it always goes straight into reverse without disengaging- bit of a cheat but it always seems to work..... Mine does have a short shifter mind.

[Contigo]

Mine hates reverse sometimes to and requires declutching to sort it out.

Also I had exactly this problem after having a new clutch and flywheel fitted, the day after tried reverse, couldn't get it then tried 1st,2nd, 3rd etc and still no joy. low loader back to the garage and it was a gear linkage problem which they fixed in a few minutes.

[mikeyquattro]

Sounds similar to when my S4 clutch went. couldn't get reverse at first and within minutes difficult to get any gear. Clutch weas dragging. Have you tried putting it in gear without the engine running and then try and start it?

[AndyC1982]

Thank guys for all of your help, it is much appreciated.

We (me and my father in law) tried the turn the engine off and put it in gear and at first it worked, immediatly we thought it was the clutch, we then tried it again and it wouldn't go in any gear, then it would go in 2nd, 3rd and 5th, the wouldn't go in any again....

anymore thoughts anyone.

regards

Andy

[mikeyquattro]

If the start in gear thing didn't work and when you do start it in gear it doesn't feel like the car is trying to pull away whilst the clutch is down, linkage is your next possiblity. Where north east are you based?

[AndyC1982]

I'm based in darlington, and i'm unaware of anywhere up here that would be anygood for me to go to.

regards

Andy

[mikeyquattro]

I think Grizz is your nearest specialist. Someone may well prove me wrong though!

[AndyC1982]

I have been in touch with the guys at MRC who have been great, I'm fairly new to the scene and I have read great things about them so i thought I should give them a ring, they think it may require a gearbox re-build new clutch and syncro upgrade, I imagine that should do the trick.

[mikeyquattro]

Doug and co know what thery're on about. It must be an avus thing as they have 5 avus RS4's at the compound at thee moment!!

[AndyC1982]

It must be. MRC do seem really good, while it was in I was contemplating going the whole hog and getting the pre cats do a miltek fitted and a re-map, is it worth it?

[mikeyquattro]

Wilth the box is out cats can get gutted easily. Remap is worth evey penny and more IMO!!
Dougal, if you read this, do I get discount next time

Get it mapped........... Smiles per mile factor is worth every penny and more!