2000 Jetta TDI Transmission Failing...options?

[b.schulz]

Hey guys. So the transmission in our TDI 1.9L is failing in reverse only. Car has 109k on it. It usually takes a second to engage when it's cold and or first thing in the morning and or afternoon when it's been sitting for a while, and if the engines warm, you have to really gas it to get it going. 3k rpm's min typically. Our mechanic said we'd need to do a complete rebuild costing close to 4k. I know or have read about doing a tranny swap over to manual but my wife doesn't know how to drive it and is too stubborn to learn at this point. So I'm trying to see if this is a fairly common problem and or find out if there's any other options for us. New wife isn't an option either.

Any thoughts or help would be awesome. Thanks guys.

heading off to do a search - figured i'd ask in the meantime. Apologies if it's been asked 100 times before.

[b.schulz]

pretty sure i got what i needed from the search but feel free to chime in if i'm missing something.

-5 speed swap or give up pretty much if you want it to actually last...
-stay away from a rebuilt tranny from the shop - stick to a new or rebuilt from VW tranny if need be.
-even new, or refurb'd auto tranny will fail again for sure in 80-100k

shame because the motor has low miles on it considering, i'm sure my wife would rather throw 4-5k towards a new car.



guess it's decision time.

[Rockerchick]

Pretty much. The VW autos are junk, and coupled with the TDI they are even worse. You lose as much as 10mpg compared to the manual with an auto in the TDI and they typically are dead before 150k.

A 5-speed swap is probably half the price of putting in a new auto. We did one on our '01 this year...bought the car with a destroyed auto at 114k.

[b.schulz]

Pretty much. The VW autos are junk, and coupled with the TDI they are even worse. You lose as much as 10mpg compared to the manual with an auto in the TDI and they typically are dead before 150k.

A 5-speed swap is probably half the price of putting in a new auto. We did one on our '01 this year...bought the car with a destroyed auto at 114k.

yeap thanks. engines in great working condition so hopefully something can be resolved.

[Rudolph Flintstone]

Have you checked the fluid level? Low fluid can cause many problems

[b.schulz]

yea, checked for low fluid. levels seemed fine.

thanks

[Giljohn531]

You could get Ryans 6 spd swap. Alot of people have it and love it.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=331943