Subscribed... I'm due for a fluid change since my tranny replacement almost 51,000km ago... VW Dude, your questions are well asked! I couldn't have asked them better!

 

Trans Fluid Change

Hi there, I have some experience with this, I do a part time gig in an import parts store to support my 911 habit. A customer did something that was very unfortunate but I hope this will help.

PLEASE, DO NOT START, AND/OR ESPECIALLY PUT THE VW TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION IN GEAR FOR EVEN ONE SPLIT SECOND WITH NO VW ATF FLUID IN THE UNIT!

The Tiptronics are engineered to such tight tolerances that it will burn the components if even allowed to idle, and most likely instantly destroy the transmission if put into gear. It was a very expensive minute (actually he said less than a minute), he accidentally drained ATF instead of oil while rushing. He came in to purchase VW ATF to attempt to get it going again to no avail. The store sells VW OEM fluids as well as Amsoil. Amsoil is great stuff, however last I checked their products aren't on VW's approved list, so if your under warranty, I would seriously take that into consideration. Last I checked, VW's ATF is a special blend (its actually green/bluish in color), I think made by Febi if memory serves me? Just triple check, but please DONT RUN IT without fluid, those trannys are terribly expensive.

Hope this helps.

Gerry
2010 TDI V6 "No name yet"
was 2006 V6 Loaded "The Egg"
1976 911S "Nellie"

 

Actually your 365 quote seems about right if it includes the filter and gasket as the filter is about 120 bucks or so. I had the dealer change out my transmission fluid. I also provided my own oil and also used Amsoil ATF. They charged me 2 hours labor.

They won't be able to flush it fully as supposedly you can't tap into the lines and most likely don't have the hookups to do so. By dropping the pan you will get about 6.5 quarts out of the 9.

The technician said my old oil was about half used up at 60,000 miles so lifetime my a---! It does shift a little smoother and goes thru the gears faster. I'd say go for it, cheap insurance for the long haul.

 

Almost 300 just for the fluid??

Is that right??

 

I did my own change few weeks ago.
After I drained it, I filled in as much as I could fit in without the engine running (about 2 quarts) and then with the engine running I pumped in the rest of it. It was a lot of pumping with the small hand pump on the bottle. It also had to be done before the tranny hit 35 C. Ran thru the gears and topped up.
Next day I re-checked the level.
I bend some 3/8" copper pipe to get into the fill hole.
I also used Amsoil.
Cheers.

 

Ok, thanks guys! Some of these answers though still bring up questions though. Sorry, but I just want to be clear on all this. Just to reiterate, if I was to say, not take it to the dealer, and have a regular garage do it with no Ttech machine as Nltomba mentioned, or even myself DIY it, does everyone agree that Krakonosh 's procedure is the way to do it literally?

Drain oil, afterwards refill without engine running, in his case it took only 2 quarts in :-k, then start engine, and start pumping away until it tops up before it reaches 35C, and when it does finally top up, make sure tranny is at 35C. Does that sound right? This is what I understood.

Krakonosh, you made your last part on the refilling procedure sound like you had to rush to pump the rest of the oil in before the tranny hit 35C. Not sure I understood that. Why is that? I'm also assuming that after you got only those initial 2 quarts in with the transmission still cold and engine not running, that there was already an other (approx) 2 quarts of undrained oil sitting in the transmission, so you had about four quarts in there before you actually started the car to fill up the rest? Does that sound right?

Just want to clear this up once and for all. I have read other threads on this, but the actual fine detail part of the procedure is never clear enough it seems. Here is something from member Depiry that sounds great when you read it out loud below, but........

ATF Level, Checking and Filling

• The ATF level is specified by a permanently installed overflow tube in the oil pan.

• The ATF level is checked when fluid is a specific temperature and with engine running. The ATF temperature is read out by the Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System VAS 5051B . If the test temperature has been reached, the sealing plug in the oil pan is removed to check the ATF. Marty

Test temp is 30 C

Here is something that Depiry wrote, that I found when I scrolled down to the bottom of this page, but I still don't get the in between the lines :confused2: No offence Depiry, but this post brings me back up to my initial questions in my post#1 concerning REFILLING. My problem here is not to check the level, but to refill and the what happens part in between the time frame when one actually decides to start the engine...

 

Ideally you should watch the temp of the fluid on a Vagcom. The OEM fluid is expensive, about $50 a quart when I checked last year. The fill is measured by removing the 10mm bolt (20Nm torque) in the center of the larger drain bolt. If nothing drips out, add more. If overfilled it will run out...all of this @ 35C.

 

For Reiteration purposes: 35C (Euro) ='s what we commonly refer to as 95*F (American.)
Sorry that must mean a couple of brisk runs around the block? Or just running motor in place? I am sure its the latter . . . the former would be faster...
All of this is very informative... I wasn't aware of the Warranty issue with using a Not on the VW List Gear Oil . . .

 

The tranny will come up to 35C in less than 10 min at comfortable room temperature just by sitting in park. That's in my experience.

 

I had my tranny flushed by the dealer. Filter does not need to be replaced en gasket is cheap. They recommend new bolts which is not that expensive either.
I also run amsoil in my tranny (for about 30k miles now)
If it is not on VW's approved list does not mean you cannot use it.
Amsoil meets the specs of the VW fluid.
I believe the amsoil was about $100 or so (whole sale dealer cost) I can make you a dealer too if you want. very easy to do.
Dealer charged me $200 for the flush. They use a Ttech machine to replace the fluid
many places have this machine but do not have the proper fitting and do not know how to do a Touareg.
It is a 2 hour job so why is your dealer charging $300? for this? or do they get $150 an hour?
PS I run Amsoil for just about every lubricant in my cars. Excellent stuff
My previous Ford expedition received 35k oil changes.
My wife's accord gets 25k changes
My VW every 10k
All as recommended by amsoil

 

It is a 2 hour job so why is your dealer charging $300? for this? or do they get $150 an hour?

That price includes the filter not just labour cost. Clint440 in post#4 mentioned that the filter goes for about $120.00. IF that is correct, and I'm assuming that he is, then the $300 figure they gave me makes sense. VW labour rates are $96/h in my area, which is quite steep considering that some garages still go for $50/h, like the one I was comparing to before..

.....
I believe the amsoil was about $100 or so (whole sale dealer cost) I can make you a dealer too if you want. very easy to do.
Dealer charged me $200 for the flush. They use a Ttech machine to replace the fluid
many places have this machine but do not have the proper fitting and do not know how to do a Touareg......

The Ttech machine they used for yours is good info to know, thank you! I'll ask mine if they use any special equipment.

I just bought wholesale through that "preferred membership" thing at Amsoil myself. About $92 for a case of twelve for engine oil, and $102 for a case of the the ATF. Very good pricing! .

 

I need your sincere advice.

I called up the VW dealer nearest me today, to ask about two different price quotes on replacing the transmission fluid. My first question was, how much $$$ to replace the fluid and filter/gasket? Answer: $625+tax

Second question. How much will it cost to replace tranny fluid and filter with new gasket(as above), BUT I bring my own transmission fluid along, since I'm thinking of using the Amsoil ATF product? Answer: $356+tax

Now here is my question to you guys. If I take my Touareg to the same "mom+pop shop down the street that already replaced my front+rear diff+center transfer case with my Amsoil stuff, and again bring my own stuff for the tranny, I'm probably looking at half that VW $356 quote. Maybe even less. Regardless though, this is not so much about money anymore. It is about who is capable of doing this job right, if there really is such a thing? I mean is there? Now in passing last time, I asked the mechanic at that small shop down the street if he has ever done these before? He said no, but said that they are the same as some japanese vehicles that need their tranny to be warm. Now here is the part that scared me(perhaps needlessly?)! He said once you drain out the fluid, you start the car and warm it up to normal operating temp, then you refill . Perhaps I didn't understand him :-k, his English ain't anywhere near perfect. I maen, I do know that the tranny must be about 30C in order to refill, but I'm not sure I liked the idea of bringing it up to normal operating temp before you fill it up?! :-k Again, maybe I misunderstood his procedure. In any case, I had to go, and said that I would get back to him on the tranny.

Then there is the question of a proper drain. Will the dealer use a different procedure to drain the fluid, meaning will they flush it? The mom+pop shop will just do what gravity allows and that's it. See that's my other dilemma. Or should it be one?

I just need some advice here. Do I go to the VW dealer and bring my own stuff and pay about $356+tax, or go to the mom+pop mechanic shop, and literally pay so little, that I give them a tip in the end?!

IMO, the overriding risk is not worth the "relatively" small return in this situation. ....have the dealer do it. If the delaer does something wrong ....at least you have some resonable recourse.

 

To clarify, I had the pan off so I can clean the magnets, but never took the strainer out. Yes there was at least 2 quarts left in the system, mostly in the torque converter and cooler.
When I bolted the pan back up it took about 2 quarts before it spilled out.
Then I started the engine and pumped like a crazy, because the little pumps you screw on the bottle are really slow. If you have shop to do it they might have a better filler for this. The tranny warms up quick just by sitting idle.
When I rechecked the level next morning it was bang on at 35C. I used VCDS to monitor.
Other options to refill are to gravity feed as per VW, or use fluid transfer pump (looks like pressurized garden sprayer).
Cheers.

 

I paid about 700.00 at dealer to change tranny fluid, at 80k miles. but I tow a 21' boat back and forth to Florida from New England , and after extended warranty is up I will go to independent VW guys

 

This what my mechanic (certified vy VW for Touaregs told me
However filter is not expensive.
Call emich VW in Dever and ask how much one is. refer to club touareg forum

 

Ya, I thought about that, as I've ordered many things from Emich VW in the past. Problem is that I have already booked the appointment for the tranny fluid change for Tuesday, so no time left to order from him.

Well thanks for the advice guys. Looking forward to my fresh tranny fluid come this Tuesday!

 

Well finally had the tranny fluid change done today .
I provided the Amsoil ATF, they provided the gasket($57.55 ouch), and the filter was left as is.

They charged me 3.2 hours labour @$98.00/h so that comes out to $313.60 of labour + that gasket+ applicable taxes = Total $418.94

Way more than what I would have paid at that corner shop on my street, but oh well, I guess I have some peace of mind right?

I'm just wondering now though...I had 10 quarts(bottles) of Amsoil ATF in my trunk. I told them to put any used potions back in my cases carton box and leave in the trunk. When I picked up my vehicle, there was nothing in there, so naively I'm thinking that they used up all 10 quarts?

 

They charged me 3.2 hours labour @$98.00/h so that comes out to $313.60 of labour

wow, only $98/hr?!?! Most of the local dealerships around here are in the $110-$130/hr range...

As an independent we are at $83/hr and still on the "low" side!

 

Damn Dude.... I had a budget to replace tranny, diffs, and transfer case fluid for around $600ish, assuming they provided everything.... Now it's sounding like it's gonna be more like $900ish for me to get it done? ...Sometimes, it's just worth it to pay to get it done for time constraints, vs doing it yourself (as I am now a new Father!).

Thanks for sharing that though.

 

Congrats on the baby!

I hear ya on the time constraints. I had my second one join the family 8 months ago, so I know how that goes.

Including taxes, it's gonna be waaaay more then that if you want them to use their own VW labeled fluids .

 

That's good if they used up all the Amsoil, I had a little leftover as they couldn't do a full flush. I think it does actually take 3 hrs as they were gonna charge me that til I reminded the service guy that he quoted me two hours. What is the rational for not changing the filter out?

More importantly what did you think when you drove it after the Amsoil? I noticed that it shifted through the gears faster and smoother. Unfortunately I can't any claim any mileage gains but the Touareg does feel smoother with it running Amsoil from top to bottom.

 

That's good if they used up all the Amsoil, I had a little leftover as they couldn't do a full flush. I think it does actually take 3 hrs as they were gonna charge me that til I reminded the service guy that he quoted me two hours. What is the rational for not changing the filter out?

More importantly what did you think when you drove it after the Amsoil. I noticed that it shifted through the gears faster and smoother. Unfortunately I can't any claim any mileage gains but the Touareg does feel smoother with it running Amsoil from top to bottom.

Your opening sentence makes me feel better about things all of a sudden !

My rational for not changing out the filter was outright stinginess 8-[

BUT hey, if Nltomba didn't do it, why should I? [-(

Ultimately, time will tell what the ultimate end to this tale will be. This thread shall be updated if there are any unforeseen disasters lurking in the horizon due to my actions today of course.

As for any improvements in the "feel" of it, I can' really say as it is too soon. I never had any complaints(problems) with mine anyways. Honestly, if I was to get out right picky, in the short drive that I had home from the dealer(only 10-15 minutes away), I noticed that PERHAPS my shifts were much crisper, meaning that I could feel them more as the shift occurred. This doesn't correspond to "smoother" however...

Again, I need more time..

 

I had slight hesitation between 3rd and 4th gear before the flush, with Amsoil no more. That's what I mean by smooth.

When I had the differentials and transfer case changed out to Ams, the Touareg became more responsive from idle as it apparently eliminated some parasitic drag from the full time 4x4 set up. (would be nice if it had 2hi)

 

Anand, Where can I bring my few cases of beer when it comes time for me to change my trans fluid? I'm down my Andrews AFB.

 

One of the perks of working at a VW/Audi shop Our tech's will do anything they can to not do side work, so for the general population I can't help with anything (other than drinking) those cases of beer!

 

Does the tranny pump circulate whilst in Park???? I know in my Durango as well in most they don't.

siberian

 

I'm also happy with the change to Amsoil. About a month now and everything smoother. Hope it lasts.

 

It will. I have been running tranny, diffs etc for 35k now.
Been using amsoil in the engine for over 100k now

 

I didn't read all the previous posts so I may duplicate some comments. The transmission is made by Aisin and uses ordinary Toyota Type IV fluid at under $5 a quart wholesale at a Toyota dealer. I got a Viaco filter and pan gasket online from RMEuropean for under $60 and some gaskets and seals from the dealer for a few more bucks. My total cost for the parts and fluid was $105:

About a dozen bolts takes the pan off:

And I used an Assenmacher filler tool to add fluid:

You can buy the parts, fluid and tool for less than half of what a dealer gets for the service and use the tool over and over again.

 

Where did you buy the filler tool? is the Toyota fluid synthetic? (I'm assuming yes but I have to ask)

 

Assenmacher Specialty Tools sells the angled attachment used for filling VW/Audi transmissions or you can get the entire tool from them. They aren't cheap though.

 

Assenmacher Specialty Tools , ATF1033-5VW VW/Audi Drive Line Filler System

I don't think the Toyota ATF is synthetic, Amsoil one is.

 

How does that tool prevent the fluid from dropping out??????? The rest is just a simply hand pump like to get fluid into a rear diff.

siberian