How To Fix a Transmission Whining Noise For $50 ~ MK4 GTI 6sp Manual

[@rickharris5485]

Nothing feels better than making the correct diagnosis and it's even better when it turns out to be the cheaper of the possible fixes. Great video as always.

[@droppedpasta]

Did this on my ‘04 VR6 back in 2016. My 3rd gear growl was crazy before, and I couldn’t believe the slop the input shaft had. This and a better dogbone were the best things I did to that car.

[@WhiteG60]

Manual mk4, the dog bone bushings were the BEST mod you can do. Made the car feel so much better.

[@boysetsfire3966]

I am a car mechanic and this is the only guy that i like to watch and i never cringe.Not because he is good in what he does and there is no bs but because he is an awesome dude.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks!!!

[@johnbeckman9200]

Dude your video saved the day again. Over the past few years ive watched your content to help resolve some unfamiliar problems. I recently traded a car for a gti with some issues to have a project for my younger brother. Biggest issue was the horrendous noise from the transmission. I had to get a slightly thicker washer from the one in the video but i wouldnt have thought to try this if i hadn't heard you recreate the noise and then make it disappear. Thankyou!

[@MOTA_KRAMPUS]

Sir... You and your videos are pure gold.

[@qtqsochoa]

Nah, platinum plus.

[@lightspeed4173]

Agreed

[@nicecool26]

Yet again humble mechanic You're the guy we need!

[@thegeckoguy2792]

I swapped this transmission into my 2008 mk5 rabbit and have the same issue. This has been driving me insane. Thank youuuuu!

[@Asymptote]

I don’t even own a r32 but i just enjoy watching someone very knowledgeable in their trade do their work

[@robc5955]

It amazes me what I don’t know, what a fab fix. Car sounds and looks amazing for 200k+

[@_real_ask]

Thank you, Charles. Another excellent and informative video. I appreciate how you always take the time to explain how things work, why they're not, and how to fix them. I always learn a lot from you.

[@JJ-mg1yx]

Charles's videos have always been educational, where he wants you to learn how to do something for yourself.

[@chriskelvin248]

Hmh! My ‘03 GTI VR6 did the same thing. I drove with the windows down often (because VR6) and would notice the same noise under the same circumstances, reflecting back at me off the jersey barrier on the parkway. Besides that noise, everything on the car (including the original clutch) behaved up until 297k miles when the original timing chain system gave up the ghost. But now I know what that noise was! Thank you Charles.

[@gearhead-quarters30]

This is a big one. I feel like every mk4 I've driven needed this....they were all well over 200k lol

[@retepcooper1756]

I have a 1.9 Tdi PD100 and its started to get some gear groaning noise lately, so I'm defintely going to give this a try. I gave it the transmission fluid, long-life, change when I got it plus the LiquiMoly aditive. Really good video, as ever, many thanks from the UK.

[@petermolnar8667]

Which oil did you use?

[@jm71681]

My first 20th made this noise OFF THE LOT in 2003. My second 20th with nearly a quarter-million on the clock makes it a LOT louder. Can't wait to take care of this, one less disconcerting old car sound 👍

[@arvidnorberg3530]

Thank you so much, this fix helped! I'd say that its underrated, among all auto shops I asked (6 of them), no one knew about this correction, including my local Audi/Volkswagen dealer🤯 I can imagine many transmissions have been rebuilt completely or scrapped because of incompetence😢

[@harrylundstrom1887]

😂 having done this less than a year ago I knew what was coming just based on the title of the video. Naturally I repaired it after listening to the noise for years and did nothing until the clutch no longer worked properly.. I still had quite a lot of play even with the shim (no noise though) but I guess that isn't a surprise after 470k km..

[@dartsi2432]

Same issue is present on similar vintage Seat Leons (and presumably all other cars that use the same powertrain) - I installed the same shim on my own Leon years ago 👌

[@ivoxui2448]

Wow what a perfect timing. I just noticed it on my civic. Will try what I learn here!

[@K03sport]

Thanks Charles for really dialing in that transmission. may, I really miss my '04 Mk4 GTI 1.8t 5M...15 years of fun times and that was on the stock tune. I almost thought it was going to be a poly dogbone bushinging the owner put in...but I was wrong

[@anthonynotarianni7215]

Perfect timing for this video my friend! I'll be inspecting this on my MK4 GLI I just purchased and drove home today. It has an identical noise to the noise in the video. Also, I had to replace the driver's side wheel bearing and knuckle. Someone was there before and the knuckle had chunks missing from a torch. Also it didn't have a snap ring! And the hub fell off just like this one did! Thanks for the information and quality video!

[@crushdamushrooms]

Man I wish you made this video 3 months ago lol, I had the same problem with my 2004 GTI VR6 in 3rd gear, scared the hell out of me

[@milkonbean]

My 6 speed Seat Cupra had the common fault of the selector fork for 1st and 2nd snapping off. I was collecting my son and partner from the hospital, lost reverse as the fork drops down and blocks it. That was fun driving home with only 3rd to 6th only. Easy fix though, drill the rivet from the fork and selector then nut and bolt. I sold the car and its still going strong

[@TopiasSalakka]

A dude i know on Facebook fixed an old Opel manual transmission with RVS treatment. Basically it had completely thrashed synchros, it wouldn't go into gear without proper revmatching, sometimes it would come out of gear too. He was already looking for a used good transmission, he thought he'd give the stuff a shot, and after driving it for a while, it was completely fine. Even let friends and family drive it, nobody could tell that the gearbox was at one point destined to the junkyard. He drove it for like 60k miles until he got rid of the car, and it was still fine when he sold it.

[@TopiasSalakka]

Well, maybe "fix" isn't the right word, more like "bought more life to an old clunker". Still, pretty amazing that just adding magnesium silicate can do that. He did try just a fluid change before adding the treatment, which did basically nothing.

[@kjarby69]

Great video!!! Well explained!👍 Question: 2016 Kia Soul. Possibly bad transmission…going out. A mechanic said… Symptoms: makes very loud metal like noise (engine area), almost sounds like a steam engine whistle mix . Car barely makes it up the hill during acceleration…reduces speed from 65mph to 50mph. When more acceleration, the sound increases. Trans fluid is good and clean looking. Over 100k miles. Original owner, purchased new off the lot. Well maintained all fluids. Car still drives ok, sometimes can stop running at a slow down or stop. I thought maybe emissions… No check engine lights. No bad codes or any codes. Does anyone think this is a bad transmission?

[@TheTrex600ESP]

Just love when things come together :)

[@hiemabedrog]

I was just gonna ask the dumb question of the filler plug, but as I watched, you mentioned it like the pro you are!

[@Jekylnhyde55]

I put the shim kit in the Suzuka Grey R32 a couple years back. It fixed the decel whine. 👍

[@jeanfrancoismenard705]

About the ceratech in the transmission it's working very, very good. I do a stg3 clutch and a single mass flywheel on my R mk6. After that i have gear latch noise on idle. Its normal nothing to buff the pulse of the engine. It sound little bit like a diesel. I change my trans oil and add a Ceratech and it fix like 75% of the noise. Good stuff !

[@bearddevil]

Love that JB weld fix on the oil pan. That stuff does everything.

[@curtisss]

I cringed when I see you didn't crack the fill plug first and I'm glad I waited til the end to comment because you did make the correction for those in the DIY space. Love your videos. Very informative, thankyou!

[@brendanPREGO]

oh my god I have this issue on my 1.8t GLI, cant thank you enough for the content you put out.

[@kristianhermann5971]

Interesting to hear what too much end-play sounds like (thanks!) - surprised you weren't hearing a thud on/off throttle or getting vibration - thrust load from the helical gears will force that shaft back-forth under throttle/coast - my Kia made the SAME noise under deceleration (like marbles rattling in a jar) at >3,000 rpm but worn needle bearing races were the culprit (I rebuilt)

[@longgoneg60]

O2M/Q are so simple to rebuild as well! I have one with over 200k on it (shift fork upgrade, MFactory LSD install) and new bearings. Thing is an absolute unit!! Great Transmissions imo.

[@jamesbell1149]

I have 267k miles on mine. I haven’t done any services to it either(I’m changing the fluid soon.)

[@pnoyhf]

Anyone have an idea if this shim would work in the 02Q?

[@kevinmallon8692]

@@pnoyhf did you get a reply? Id like to know as well

[@bwarn1975]

Charles . I have a similar problem on my 2012 MK6 Sportwagen TDI, this happen after i mistakenly put in a Single mass LUK HD Clutch. It is mainly noticeable in 1-2nd and on the freeway 5th and 6th are chattering. i have already bought this kit a while ago but I haven't made the time to install it. I have put on 40k since the new clutch FYI and yes my Syncro's are still fine! Thanks enjoy all your content! Pic is my 97 Golf I bought new and now@276k Go ABA!!

[@henryrolt3747]

Not an expert on this specific transmission or transmissions in general. BUT as I understand it, onset of chattering and rattling in a manual transmission immediately after swapping to a SMF from a DMF is probably gear rollover noise. Torsional vibrations from the engine reach the transmission and cause unloaded gears to rattle against eachother. Tends to be most noticeable when the transmission is hot as cold thick oil damps the noise better.

[@raiNofchAosFPS]

send my mk5 gti in for timing and lack of boost and he sent the car home with a driver and the car simply came to a stop it turns over but fires out the exhaust thou, so may not to bad,. will be taking look into soon and he will be covering any damages. second time a mechanic has done this to my car and not even me! sad to say but i think it will be the last time and on to the next! look at a rs3. dream car. love the content!

[@ALMX5DP]

Nice, love when concerning things or sounds are easily remedied by cheap repairs.

[@Peter_Riis_DK]

I do believe that the tire and rim in unison makes a wheel. Ey? 🤨 Good vid. Learned a thing or two again today. Eg. a D-cell is not a cell but probably means deceleration. 👍

[@karlo134652]

Thank God your video stumbled on my feed. I have the same problem on my Evo X when i drive on 1st and 2nd gear.

[@tomthompson7400]

Its nice when something cheap and handy just works ,,, great job.

[@tactical_snuggy9686]

Had the same issue on my 04 Beetle Turbo S. This fix definitely works, atleast it did for me.

[@jemmace2586]

Great video. Very informative, about taking the drain plug out before the refill plug, you'd do that first... At a workshop, because you'd have the tap and Heli coils at hand to correct the overtightened drain plug.

[@bozzy-101]

I had this problem on a MK5 Golf GTI, although it didn't manifest itself in noise. Instead, I could feel the clutch pedal pulsing due to the play in the input shaft. The clutch pedal also used to get stuck sometimes. I fitted the shim on my driveway and the problem went away.

[@diazandhisdaily801]

Constantly Refreshing Squad 💨💨💨

[@StevenAndrews]

DIY guy here, I always pull the fill plugs first, that way i know to go get a spare because it's probably gonna get gacked in the removal process

[@CmdrHahn]

I’ll definitely be doing this after my finals this term

[@astonrichardson4309]

I did this fix on a TT once, add some shims in. It does work.

[@George-zq2sk]

as always amazing content Charles! if you had the choice to put in a trans, would you go 02J VR6 or 02M VR6? besides the obvious difference with 6th and the larger disc, what would you choose?

[@Michaeltje89]

as a Golf Mk5 1.6 FSI (eu) 6speed owner, thank you in advance ;)

[@naughtiusmaximus830]

In Hondas a loose input shaft will damage 3rd gear. Nice to know you can change this on Audis without pulling the gearbox.

[@renerobes30]

Very elegant and effective repair car looks good for 200k miles.

[@ramirogarza4416]

i have a 04 GLI 24v 6spd with the same exact noise, thank you for this video!

[@rashaadhartley2145]

loving the content, my liqui moly products are being shipped to me as we speak!!!

[@living9377]

Awesome fix…$50 fix!!!! Amazeballs! 👍💯✌️🔥👏🏽👑

[@pojay52]

"Pumpalator" love it! Great video, thanks.

[@kristianhermann5971]

Well that's a convenient plug for the input shaft!

[@TheKiltedYaksman1]

If you pull the drain, but can't get the fill plug out, it's only a few extra minutes to remove the shift tower and fill from the top.

[@panzerveps]

As a professional VW tech, I always remove the fill plug first. If the fill plug is rounded off, I won't touch it unless I'm guaranteed to get paid for the job, and I won't have the car hanging on my lift for hours or days.

[@re_stricted]

This video may have saved me what I thought was a gearbox rebuild... I've ordered the parts lets see if this fixes it

[@re_stricted]

It worked

[@cordellrice2563]

It was nice meeting you at Dubs…

[@randallmunson9909]

Thanx for the video and view of what the components look like that I'm missing. Good day ☺️

[@jamesdeserio6481]

Love the JB weld blob on the oil pan. haha. Assume at one point they heard the "STOP!" Flash on the dash... Not speaking from personal experience....

[@twowheels87]

Great video. I am having the exact same sound in my MK5 jetta TDI 5 Spd. However I was also experiencing what seemed to be clutch slipping. After letting the car cool down the clutch seem okay but I don’t want to push it. The transmission still makes bad sound on decelerating and in reverse. I’m going to attempt this same repair, hopefully it works and I don’t need a new clutch.

[@musamlangeni3140]

I did the same as the car owner. Changed the oil and the grinding didn't stop.😆😆😆

[@danjordan1979]

If you and Rainman Ray had a weird lovechild (somehow!) It would be able to fix anything known to mankind. Plus it would have an awesome beard. Love your videos, everything is so calm and easily explained for a novice like me. Thank you. 👍👍

[@Stanjara]

Tuldudulduuuu

[@slakka6495]

Add Sara N Tuned

[@EmperorTerran]

did not expect to watch entire video.. but here I am

[@kevinmallon8692]

My end cap was weeping for awhile. I was reluctant to replace it myself and i didnt have a seal driver. I seen a hack on youtube use a block of wood! Ended up at the shop tranny fluid replaced 200$ and the end cap 1 hr labour 115. Oh well 😄👍

[@SuperBad850]

Awesome fix, Charles.

[@paintednumbers4713]

I've done the shim and helped get my car into gear better, but my trans is now louder than ever.

[@derek6ferrari]

My 225 mk1 TT makes a similar gear whine but only in 5th gear. Drove someone elses TT, and that car had the same whine in the same gear.

[@chrstphrr]

I know the 02J 5 speed isn't exactly the same animal as the 02M, but as a DIYer: I have always removed the fill plug to get the dribble out, but have also always filled from the topside - from the selector rod hole with the rod + top housing removed, cleaning the case/housing on top beforehand. Edit: I know the 02M/02Q and other dual output shaft style transmissions also use that same top housing + selector rod design, so that's the "alternate" way to deal with filling the transmission if the fill plug can't be removed. And, yeah, when I fill with the selector rod out, I'm technically overfilling. Not that much more fluid, and with the ol' 02J/mk4 combo I've run, not terrible to have a wee bit more fluid that might get over to the isolated 5th gear set.

[@petermolnar8667]

We had it filled with one side of the car lifted so that it would take the correct amount without any dribbling back out

[@Saltyoldguy-]

I did this on my GTI years ago. Pretty common fix actually.

[@wellingbadboy]

Awesome....not all heroes wear capes!

[@TheWilliec1999]

God what I wouldn't do to have you look into this transmission issue I've been having with my mk7.

[@zeitgeist2720]

What’s going on? 6 speed?

[@philipsalvagione4606]

Another Great video Charles! Informative as always. Thanks for all the information you make available to all us car enthusiasts. Question...where can one fine a proper VW reference guide for installation procedures and torque SPECS? Its very time consuming trying to figure out the proper specs from all the varying information online.

[@markmiranpt]

Why is it so hard to find a vw mechanic with your smarts? Oh well do it myself... Nice video.

[@markmiranpt]

@Humble Mechanic 【𝟒𝟒𝟑 】𝟓𝟖𝟒-𝟔𝟒𝟎𝟏 yes I am but I'm located in Australia

[@JS-fd7se]

Very cool, thank you for this.

[@robmoot]

Done plenty of these charles, used to be around £22 GBP in the UK. you would also feel creep with the clutch fully depressed in first gear. i think you could only shim it twice and after that you would need a new case

[@scanhead177]

Is this the same for the mk3 16v as well? ive got a strange noise on deceleration in low gears coming from the transmission. Dont think the US market got the ABF and not many people know them here in NZ.

[@WhiteG60]

​@@scanhead177 A mk3 16v is going to be an 02O transmission. Completely different animal. You might want to check that the clutch cable is adjusted properly, and there's still a serviceable bearing at the end of the input shaft in a similar spot, but I don't believe these have the same issue. I could be wrong though as it's been 20 years since I've worked on one!

[@robmoot]

@@scanhead177 I'm sure the ball head for the clutch lever knackers which kills the clutch release bearing off mate

[@tomislavivanetic9208]

Hi, this and all other videos are top. But I am from EU and drive VW Golf 1.9 tdi 77kw 2008 with DQ200 0AM LKF. I have kick when going in 1 gear and sometimes on low rpm between 1 and 2 gear. But the biggest problem is kick when I drive let's take 3 gear and release accelerate. Then when rpm drops, and in this moment If I would like fast accelerate then come hard kicks. I open the hood, and try test drive in 2 gear. Release accelerate pedal, and then kick hard. I see engine movingforward and back. I change cluch and repair dsg electronics. Then changed all engine and dsg mount. But also I don't know if it's normal when I parked car on flat surface. Then don't pull handbrake but leave car in P mode. Open hood and I push car forward and backwards. I see movment engine and wheel something like 2cm. Also on car jack when take wheel hawe movment about 2-3 cm and clicking sound in cluch where shafts going. I think maybe can be wrong like on this video. Thank, and sorry for so long comment.

[@snoopy5736]

Thank you sensei, awesome video

[@aldeacristian4582]

Great video, as always!

[@mr.hernandezdrives]

man i wanna fix this in my s2000... i hear it but seems to be harder then this.. anyway charles great diy you rule man

[@demelitia]

Does adding the friction modifiers have any negative effect on the way the synchros work? Or for that matter any positive effect on the quality of shift and gear engagement?

[@wackey3455]

great diagnostic work very good work

[@robinrousseau1087]

YOU CAN CUT A GALON JUG IN HALF. AND STICK THE HANDLE OF THE SCEW DIVER IN TO THE UNCUT END OF THE JUCK. THIS WILL AMPLYFY the noise

[@gplusgplus2286]

Bloody brilliant!

[@kokoeteukpong8211]

Wonderful

[@patkelly7999]

Fantastico, great tip Charles, Thank You💪👌👍🙂

[@802Garage]

Sadly, I don't think this fix will work on my nearing 280,000 mile Subaru transmission. It has a bit of a whine because when I bought the car it was a bit low on transmission fluid and I didn't realize until it started to whine after a long trip. Totally my fault. I checked every fluid except the manual trans because it almost never goes low in my experience. My guess is a pretty worn bearing, so similar cause, but mine is more of a high pitched whine. If I ever do the clutch again, I'll probably have a go at a rebuild.

[@duffman6675]

Good job, but you measured the play in different directions. 0.100 - 0.078 = 0.022" play: 0 to 0.01 = .01 " play. Difference = 0.013 - 0.01 = 0.012 ~= 0.01 shim. Adds up.

[@superleggera1900]

Had the same problem with my R32, Pulled the cover off, and the transmission had zero play, didn't end up putting the shim in, in hind sight I probably should've. Maybe i'll try it again when I flush my trans fluid.

[@CoreMaster111]

My first gear is howling. Obvious at low rpm and especially when deaccelerating, going from second to first. I checked transmission fluid and there was a bit of water in it, I replaced the fluid but it's clearly too late.

[@wilsonleonlaw77]

Yep got this problem on my 2011 sportwagen tdi 6 speed

[@gmupps]

That's awesome! Does this apply to the 02Q as well? And where did you get that awesome clip on fill hose?

[@AnthonyNeilPace]

There are some 02M Gearboxes that don't have the plastic cover, but I think that was on Euro cars and very early transmissions.

[@guillermogonzalezquintero3035]

Great video keep it up as always

[@nickchesshir6994]

Great video Curious if you have seen a constant whine in a 6spd auto transmission and what normally causes it. I’ve heard it’s the pump going bad over time but don’t know much about transmissions

[@chrisparr3516]

You need to teach in the UK or do a seminar 🙂

[@f2tzoomzoom]

wheel and tire module..... noted!

[@alexander-malafeev]

Great video! I have a similar noise on mtx75 transmission. Perhaps you have an idea how it can be fixed?