What Causes the Transmission Noise in Lavida?
4 Answers
Reasons for transmission noise in Lavida: Water ingress in automatic transmission: Failure to promptly repair water ingress in the automatic transmission can lead to a series of transmission faults, such as oil leaks, abnormal noises, and jerking. Not changing transmission fluid: Prolonged failure to change the automatic transmission fluid can cause it to thicken and lose its effectiveness over time. Without a protective layer between components, direct friction occurs, accelerating wear on mechanical parts. Using inferior transmission fluid: Using low-quality or counterfeit transmission fluid, which has poor temperature resistance and is prone to oxidation, can lead to sludge and residue formation. This can clog the automatic transmission filter and oil passages, increasing friction among internal components and resulting in abnormal noise issues.
My Lavida has been running for five years, and I've actually encountered transmission noise issues. Back then, there was a clicking sound during low-speed turns, which later turned out to be vibration noise caused by a loose transmission mount. When I took it to the repair shop, the mechanic mentioned common problems include gear wear, insufficient fluid, or bearing damage. Especially for dual-clutch versions, worn clutch plates can produce a metallic rustling sound. Additionally, if gear shifts are accompanied by jerking, it might be due to unstable valve body oil pressure. I recommend regularly checking the transmission fluid condition and promptly consulting a professional technician with a stethoscope to locate the noise source if any abnormal sounds occur, to avoid complete transmission failure.
As a mechanic who has repaired hundreds of Lavida transmissions, here are the common causes of abnormal noises: For manual transmissions, it's mostly the gear shifting clunking sound caused by synchronizer wear, while for automatic transmissions, it's the whining noise due to valve body oil passage blockage. Dual-clutch transmissions are particularly prone to producing metal clashing sounds at low speeds, which is a typical symptom of excessive clutch plate clearance. Don't overlook those rubber cushion components; aging and cracking can transmit the entire body vibration into the cabin. I've noticed many car owners neglect the fluid replacement intervals. Deteriorated oil is like thickened blood, causing bearings to grind dry and produce noise. The most troublesome issue is bearing disintegration, which creates a continuous thunder-like rumbling sound. If you encounter these situations, you must stop driving immediately; otherwise, repair costs can skyrocket from a few thousand to over ten thousand.
Last month, my 2017 Lavida at home started making strange noises from the transmission. The mechanic explained it very clearly: if there's a humming sound when the engine is warm, it's likely due to bearing wear; if there's a clattering sound when cold, it might be caused by thickened transmission fluid. For dual-clutch models, the clicking noise during traffic jams is basically a common issue, typical for Volkswagen cars. He also checked the CV joint boot, mentioning that oil leakage could significantly increase gear friction noise. What surprised me most was when the mechanic used an oscilloscope to check the gear shift data stream and found unstable current in a certain solenoid valve. In the end, replacing the valve body assembly solved the problem. He advised addressing transmission noises promptly by checking fault codes, unlike me who waited until the gears started shaking before taking action.
