Vibration when upshifting

[slowdog]

We have a 2003 NBC with 2.0 and 6-speed Tiptronic tranny.

Last year we had the following services performed at 80,000 miles by a mechanic that has always done a good job:
1. Transmission fluid change (replaced with proper VW fluid)
2. Timing Belt replaced
3. Waterpump replaced
4. Right CV axle replaced due to broken boot

The day I picked the car up I immediately noticed a fairly high frequency vibration, course-ness, or binding just prior to the upshift. I feel it primariy in the gas pedal and some somewhat in the steering wheel and seat. The car has always been as smooth as a Honda Civic, so I know that something is not correct. My mechanic has driven the car and ridden with me as I drove, but although I can feel it, he cannot...and admits that I know my car better than anyone...

My first idea, which he agreed with, is that a motor or a transmission mount was harmed during the work, but he could not locate a problem. As the warranty was for one year, he suggested that we wait to see if the problem (that only I seem to notice) got worse. My year is almost up...

Any ideas as to where I should look first?? I know that this vibration is not normal and will eventually lead to a larger problems and I need to get to the bottom of it before the mechanic's warranty period expires....but it appears that I am going to have to pinpoint the problem for him.

I know that "vibration" problems are difficult to diagnose, but thanks for your input!!

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by slowdog

We have a 2003 NBC with 2.0 and 6-speed Tiptronic tranny.

Last year we had the following services performed at 80,000 miles by a mechanic that has always done a good job:
1. Transmission fluid change (replaced with proper VW fluid)
2. Timing Belt replaced
3. Waterpump replaced
4. Right CV axle replaced due to broken boot

The day I picked the car up I immediately noticed a fairly high frequency vibration, course-ness, or binding just prior to the upshift. I feel it primariy in the gas pedal and some somewhat in the steering wheel and seat. The car has always been as smooth as a Honda Civic, so I know that something is not correct. My mechanic has driven the car and ridden with me as I drove, but although I can feel it, he cannot...and admits that I know my car better than anyone...

My first idea, which he agreed with, is that a motor or a transmission mount was harmed during the work, but he could not locate a problem. As the warranty was for one year, he suggested that we wait to see if the problem (that only I seem to notice) got worse. My year is almost up...

Any ideas as to where I should look first?? I know that this vibration is not normal and will eventually lead to a larger problems and I need to get to the bottom of it before the mechanic's warranty period expires....but it appears that I am going to have to pinpoint the problem for him.

I know that "vibration" problems are difficult to diagnose, but thanks for your input!!

I would look closly @ the Dogbone mount first as this one takes most of the punishment with an autotragic...

[slowdog]

Thanks Canadian,
I will start looking there...assuming that I can find a diagram that shows where that mount is located....I am going to purchase a manual....

The mechanic told me that he had to loosen one of the engine mounts to do his work, but swore that it was returned and correctly torgued. Any ideas as to which mount he would be referring to?

Does anyone know of a "how to" link related to the engine and transmission mounts...including torgue values??

Thanks!

[slowdog]

One other question...would a bad motor mount or tranny mount be the cause of the "rubbery" shift between 1st and 2nd? For the past five years the Tiptronic has shifted 1st to 2nd with a jolt and chatter and feeling like it was loose or something.....I have read post describing similar problems or characteristics of the VW Tiptronic so I have assumed that it was normal for this car....but maybe it is a Mount issue....I have noted that some owners upgrade their motor and tranny mounts to improve the shifting, but most of those have 1.8T with manual tranny....

Thanks!

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by slowdog

Thanks Canadian,
I will start looking there...assuming that I can find a diagram that shows where that mount is located....

x2 for the dogbone. It is under the car and is a metal bar running from the body to the transmission with bushes at each end.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by slowdog

One other question...would a bad motor mount or tranny mount be the cause of the "rubbery" shift between 1st and 2nd? For the past five years the Tiptronic has shifted 1st to 2nd with a jolt and chatter and feeling like it was loose or something.....I have read post describing similar problems or characteristics of the VW Tiptronic so I have assumed that it was normal for this car....but maybe it is a Mount issue....I have noted that some owners upgrade their motor and tranny mounts to improve the shifting, but most of those have 1.8T with manual tranny....

Thanks!

Don't know why i missed this but... If the motor mounts were removed new bolts should have been fitted as these are "stretch" bolts and one time use. Because once stretched they are slightly longer and therefore the engine can move around and cause other issues...Like your shifting issue..

[slowdog]

Thanks for that excellent tip Canadian...

I will do an online search for those bolts...my dealership is about 50 miles away so if I can find them online all the better. First I will check with my mechanic and make sure he knows what you have told me.

Slowdog

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by slowdog

Thanks for that excellent tip Canadian...

I will do an online search for those bolts...my dealership is about 50 miles away so if I can find them online all the better. First I will check with my mechanic and make sure he knows what you have told me.

Slowdog

Anytime.... Anytime you do a timing belt you need to replace the bolts... I know because the previous owner of our car butchered the mount to the engine on the timing belt side and caused hard shifting (5 speed),slave cylinder to leak and a power steering line to leak as well as a couple Cels so be prepared...