4 speed automatic transmission fluid

bwlyon

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Location
Carrollton MO
TDI
2006 VW Beetle
I have a 2002 Jetta GLS TDI with an automatic transmission. Has anyone used anything other than the Volkswagen Transmission Fluid, in their Volkswagen. On a trip to the local Oreilly's today I found several different types of fluid, ie: ATF+3, ATF+4, and a host of synthetics and the regular domestic stuff Type F, Mercon III, IV, V. I am new to this Volkswagen thing as I have just purchased my first one last week.
Thanks for helping, Brad :)
 

charlie75

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Location
Niceville FL/FFX VA
TDI
1999 Golf; 2000 New Beetle (Gone)
Use the volkswagen stuff!

The risk to your volkswagen transmission using a non-VW approved fluid, IMHO, doesn't justify the difference in cost for other transmission fluids.
 

daveman

New member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
TDI
Jetta, 2002, Silver
Use the Volkswagen fluid

I recently spoke to a dealer about changing the tranny fluid. There are a couple important things to note, you must use the OEM VW fluid because it has properties that let the computer sense how full your tranny is. Also, changing the tranny fluid in your car is not an easy process. The fluid is difficult to pour into the tranny, but whats worse is that you have no idea how much to put in because there is no dipstick. The level can only be measured with the diagnostics computer plugged in, and furthermore you can only get an accurate reading when the tranny fluid is within a certain temperature range (35 - 45 degrees celsius). I am unsure if VAG-COM has the capability of sensing the tranny fluid level. The dealer I went to uses a different computer.

All in all, its probably a better idea to just have a qualified shop do it.
 

cattlerepairman

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2003
Location
Ottawa
TDI
none
tranny fluid change

daveman said:
I recently spoke to a dealer about changing the tranny fluid. There are a couple important things to note, you must use the OEM VW fluid because it has properties that let the computer sense how full your tranny is. Also, changing the tranny fluid in your car is not an easy process. The fluid is difficult to pour into the tranny, but whats worse is that you have no idea how much to put in because there is no dipstick. The level can only be measured with the diagnostics computer plugged in, and furthermore you can only get an accurate reading when the tranny fluid is within a certain temperature range (35 - 45 degrees celsius). I am unsure if VAG-COM has the capability of sensing the tranny fluid level. The dealer I went to uses a different computer.

All in all, its probably a better idea to just have a qualified shop do it.
There is soo much info in the HOW TO section....
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=288052
 

LanduytG

Vendor
Joined
Sep 5, 2001
Location
Greenfield, IN
TDI
99 NB 82 Westfalia Diesel
You can use any Dex III fluid you want. We have put Amsoil Universal ATF in many VW autos. The problem comes in if the thing has never been serviced before and you have a lot of miles on it.


Greg
 

richieracket

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Location
New Jersey Shore
TDI
2012 Jetta TDI , DSG
just going to pass along some info--please set the torches on stun only.
Have an 02' Jetta tdi here with tons of metal in the pan and bad reverse, only 81k. So i'm calling all the suppliers and shops i can getting prices and info on a reman. 3 separate suppliers have told me Pentosian IS the problem. They have a bulletin from an independent lab stating pentosian does not respond well under superheated conditions and toasts the trans, thus creating the abundant premature trans failures. Two have told me they will rebuild and refill with only a reputalbe synthetic fluid, and will not use pentosin even if i supply it. It will void their warranty. They insist they have been implementing this procedure for years with no adverse affects and no returning transmissions.
Let the execution begin.
 

wjdell

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 17, 2006
Location
Central Florida
TDI
06 Jetta TDI DSG PKG 1 17" VV Campy White/Beige
Vag com will tell the the temperature and I just got VAS 6262 and I will post pictures soon - I am pretty sure many will be able to make it.

I will start looking for the parts soon and see if its feasible for members to make the tool themselves.

If you do decided to change your fluid there is a HOW TO on this forum NOW MAKE SURE YOU VERIFY YOUR TRANS TYPE.

I only know about the DSG and the fill procedure is a little strange. In my case I wait for a constant drip if that makes any sense.
 

ScorpionBoy

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Location
CO
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI
richieracket said:
just going to pass along some info--please set the torches on stun only.
Have an 02' Jetta tdi here with tons of metal in the pan and bad reverse, only 81k. So i'm calling all the suppliers and shops i can getting prices and info on a reman. 3 separate suppliers have told me Pentosian IS the problem. They have a bulletin from an independent lab stating pentosian does not respond well under superheated conditions and toasts the trans, thus creating the abundant premature trans failures. Two have told me they will rebuild and refill with only a reputalbe synthetic fluid, and will not use pentosin even if i supply it. It will void their warranty. They insist they have been implementing this procedure for years with no adverse affects and no returning transmissions.
Let the execution begin.
that is very interesting.
 

richieracket

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Location
New Jersey Shore
TDI
2012 Jetta TDI , DSG
just got the car back today--$3400. Filled with Penzoil fully synthetic trans fluid. all is well. My sister keeps her cars forever, so i will be able to monitor the results and durabilty using a fully synthetic aftermarket fluid. The shop also uses mopar spec ATF+4 in these trannys. Says additive pak and syn qualities are also very useful in vw trans. I requested the synthetic.
keep ya posted.
 

Fortuna Wolf

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Location
Wilmington, NC
TDI
2002 Jetta TDI Auto Sedan
richieracket, I'm just curious. What was the breakdown on the bill?
How much to reman the transmission, and how much to remove and reinstall it?
 

Rob Mayercik

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Location
NJ, U.S.A.
TDI
2002 Jetta GLS, Baltic Green/Beige
richieracket said:
just going to pass along some info--please set the torches on stun only.
Have an 02' Jetta tdi here with tons of metal in the pan and bad reverse, only 81k. So i'm calling all the suppliers and shops i can getting prices and info on a reman. 3 separate suppliers have told me Pentosian IS the problem. They have a bulletin from an independent lab stating pentosian does not respond well under superheated conditions and toasts the trans, thus creating the abundant premature trans failures. Two have told me they will rebuild and refill with only a reputalbe synthetic fluid, and will not use pentosin even if i supply it. It will void their warranty. They insist they have been implementing this procedure for years with no adverse affects and no returning transmissions.
Let the execution begin.
To echo ScorpionBoy, most interesting. I wonder who this lab is, and how it was that they came to investigate the VW ATF? I also wonder if any other labs have verified their claims, or if they're the "lone wolf".

Perhaps the issue isn't the fluid, but rather the mechanism by which the transmission is cooled - if the "superheated" condition didn't occur, perhaps the VW juice would be okay.

Of course, if memory serves the 01M 4-spd on MK4 vehicles is plumbed into the engine coolant system, instead of the more traditional way where there's a separate trans. fluid cooler in the radiator. I can't imagine how you could run an auxilliary transmission cooler without overcooling the engine (which usually isn't good for the engine). This would also suggest that if you were to have a severe engine overheating condition, the tranny could end up getting cooked as well (collateral damage).

I always thought it was interesting how VW chose to deal with transmission cooling on the MK4s, but until you posted this, I never really thought much about the implications in terms of heat.

Rob

Rob
 

richieracket

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Location
New Jersey Shore
TDI
2012 Jetta TDI , DSG
OK--the breakdown is from memory as it is my sister's car and she went up and got it and the bill. Talking to Dan (the shop owner) the bill went something like this: R&R trans $350. Tear down, inspect, rebuild with soft parts $1350 and the balance was hard parts: total solenoid pack with updated cable, torque convertor, reverse something (sprague ) blah, blah. Total was not $3800 but in actuality came to $3250.

This is not the first time I've heard chatter regarding the pentosin fluid, but I cannot answer the question about the labs bias or lack of bias. I do agree however, the cooler is certainly an issue. I am presently going to search out the issue and see if anyone has come up with a method of getting that fluid to an appropriate air cooled system . Plumbing this in has got to be interesting.
 

Fortuna Wolf

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2006
Location
Wilmington, NC
TDI
2002 Jetta TDI Auto Sedan
I am thinking that if you have any performance mods or drive the car with the TC often unlocked you might want to look into either changing the fluid or putting another transmission fluid cooler on it.
On top of the trans there is a heat exchanger attached with two banjo bolts. Coolant lines go into this. It should be possible to remove this cooler and replace it with another one of your choice.
When I changed my fluid it looked virgin, so I'm not particularly worried about my trans.
 

wjdell

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 17, 2006
Location
Central Florida
TDI
06 Jetta TDI DSG PKG 1 17" VV Campy White/Beige
Amsoil - Redline - Mobil - use a pure syn fluid.
Mobil 1 is easy to get - You also can use VW :)
 
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