VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster

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Mon 21 Jun 2010 21:24
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - matthewsaj

The gearbox on my 2005/55 T5 T30 Kombi 174 let go today at 37,000 miles.

It appears to be an idle shaft bearing failure, I'm looking at a HUGE bill to get it fixed.

The van has a full VW service history and has only had light use. So far VW UK don't seem to be willing to make a contribution. It seems to think that a gearbox failure at 37,000 miles is pretty normal.

Anyone got any advice on dealing with VW UK?

Didn't know how bad gearbox oil smelt until today!

A.

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Mon 21 Jun 2010 21:29
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - 659FBE

5 or 6 speed?

659.

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Mon 21 Jun 2010 23:18
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - Peter.N.

The poor quality of modern vehicles never ceases to amaze me, I have had Citroen XMs with nearly 300,000 miles with a still near perfect gearbox, I have one now with over 250k.

Surely they cant all be like that, I would suggest you make enquiries re a secondhand one.

The only idler would be on reverse, not to big a job if the gearbox comes out reasonably easily, unless you have to completely dismantle the gearbox to get to it

Edited by Peter.N. on 21/06/2010 at 23:20

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Tue 22 Jun 2010 19:24
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - Collos25

My an XM lover we have a 1997 2.5d estate here in Germany with now over 500000km I bought it in 2000 and is now used by my sister in law the only real problem was the head waterway blocked and a abs control unit a really beautiful car and so comfortable..

The VW if it is a 5 speed box then they are not that all expensive to get a recon replacement unit if its a six speed then its a different ball game they are a bit rarer.There are plenty of used models for sale with mega starship mileage so they do go the distance as a norm.It is not an automatic by any chance.

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Tue 22 Jun 2010 20:58
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - Peter.N.

We have been running XMs for about 13 years, at present we have two 2.1 manual estates. The 2.1 engine is virtually bombproof, the 2.5 better to drive but not to reliable and spares difficult to get. The 2.1 will return over 50 mpg (dont know what that is in l/km)

I have just bought a 5 series BMW, nice car but no comparison with the XM ride, so shall be keeping at least one. It broke down 6 days after I bought with a failed fuel pump, just coincidence I hope!

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Tue 22 Jun 2010 21:28
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - Collos25

I have had four xm's I agree the 2.1 is the better engine but I just saw this 2.5 in a Citroen main agents with only 5000km on the clock in three years use, it cost 13,000 dm at the time to buy its fully loaded in dark blue it still looks gorgous.I am running a nearly new saab 93 tid at the moment but I still lust after the xm so hard to find a good one these days.

Back to the VW gearbox.....

Edited by Andy Bairsto on 22/06/2010 at 21:28

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Tue 22 Jun 2010 21:35
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - Collos25

Have look on ebay around 1k for a recon unit 5sp

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Mon 5 Jul 2010 22:50
VW Trasnporter T5 - Gearbox disaster - matthewsaj

6 Speed.

Now fixed and a huge bill. Required a strip and rebuild, bearings and a new clutch. Much cheaper than a new gearbox.

VW main dealer hasn't managed to come up with a "reason" for the failure, VW UK have been completely useless. Going to have another go.

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