I have 2013 Doblo MPV. It is at about 158000 miles. The gearbox has been making a whine that I first noticed driving back from France early January. In the garage today. They reckon the diff in the gearbox is the issue, and they think the change into 5th is crunchy - I don't notice this, but do change gear in quite a relaxed fashion.
The car owes me nothing, and is generally OK. If has a towbar and roof rails which suit my use. Crucially I can get bikes inside very easily.
I am looking at getting the gearbox refurbed, and this will cost min of £700. Plus I think it would be sensible to get the clutch done at the same time - still on the original. What about the flywheel?
Do I just twist and WBAC it and buy a replacement similar vehicle (£15000ish)?
How much is a second hand box Vs £700 refurb cost?
I'd be tempted to do that with a new clutch.
Second hand gearbox with warranty and new clutch would be my first choice, should be an easy/cheap swap on such a car as there is plenty of room
Or you could mix fine sawdust with heavier gearbox oil and get rid of the whine (dodgy garage fix)
Or you could mix fine sawdust with heavier gearbox oil and get rid of the whine (dodgy garage fix)
Banana skins if your budget doesn't run to sawdust.
Has the gearbox oil ever been changed? Some fresh oils might improve it slightly with the radio turned up more.
I'd only bang a 2nd hand box in if i had listened to it.
Where are you based? I know a few gearbox places in the north that are very good
That doesn’t appear a bad price for a gearbox re-furb, an exchange with a re-furbed one is also possible. I always think that if you like the vehicle it’s usually worth spending to keep it going, £15,000 could get you another car but a short way down the road could also need as much spending as the one you have now! Impressive to get that life from a clutch, you must be a very sympathetic driver, good luck.
Thanks for all the advice. I have sold it to Arnold Clark for £900 and will be a buying a 2021 Vauxhall Combo with 30000 on it.
Throwing money at the Doblo gearbox could well have been a fools errand.