03 Jetta TDI O1M valve body replacement

[sgtpopeye43]

Hi Folks,
Three years ago I increased the pressure in my O1M transmission, this is called the Kerma Mod. I went too far and soon after while using my ScanGauge I noticed very high trans temps and trans slipping when the temps were over 240 degrees F. There were times that the temps went up to 290!! Meanwhile I have only used this car for short trips as result. This all changed during that last few weeks as my wifes 99 Windstar was condemmed during a Ford recall inspection for subframe failure. we accepted the offer from Ford and got a check in less than a week.
Buying another or new car at this time wasn't an option for us. So back to the Jetta as it is my 2nd car besides my one ton V10 Ford van gas mileage special!! HaHa!!! I had to do something quick and after calling 5 or 6 places that recondition valve bodies I found one that had an O1M valve body in stock and I ordered it. Yesterday I installed it and the new harness that I ordered with it and all went well. The 2-3 upshift was somewhat problematic but after putting 100 miles on it today and rechecking the fluid level after it cooled down enough it operates fine. Now my wife has a car to drive and she adapted very well to the VW and TDI.
So as CoolAirVW always asks, if you post a problem then post the resolve and here it is although taking three years to get it done. I would have sent the valve body to CoolAirVw to rework but time didn't permit.
I still need to check if there were any trans codes and get them cleared if there are any. Hopefully the valve body rework will give this O1M more life, but time will tell. The car has 93,400 miles and the timing belt was replaced two years ago at 82,000 miles. No I gotta do some brake work, but I can handle brakes!!!
Bob MacGregor in Ct alias SgtPopeye43

 

[FlashT]

Good thing you were able to fix it instead of buying a new one or paying for a manual swap. Thanks for sharing.

 

[KLXD]

You ought to post the fix in the original thread for whoever finds it with a search.

I'm wondering if I should replace my valve body 125k before the thing starts acting up.

 

[sgtpopeye43]

Hi KLXD,
I found my original post and brought it back to life with a similar response to this thread. Thank you for reminding me about this.
sgtpopeye43

 

[AARodriguez Corp.]

Hi Folks,
Three years ago I increased the pressure in my O1M transmission, this is called the Kerma Mod.

Dumb me, why is it called the Kerma mod?

 

[hevster1]

Dumb me, why is it called the Kerma mod?

At one time Kerma TDI performed this mod and it showed promise. However it was later determined to cause more harm than good and was abandoned. At least that is how I remember it. To be sure do a search.

 

[sgtpopeye43]

Yes, the Kerma Mod turned out to be a BAD thing to do. As the trans pressure is increased, the flow of oil thru the trans oil cooler is reduced. Poor design in my way of thinking. The O1M trans has borderline cooling as it is and reducing the oil flow thru the cooler is not a good thing. I decided to go with a reworked and upgraded valve body and I'm happy with my decision. Using a ScanGauge one can monitor the trans temps and actually it is the trans temp that shows up when the coolant temp is selected on the gauge. The coolant temp will show periodically in a quick filcker of a different number if there is any difference between the trans temp and coolant temp.
This car will get more use now than it had previously as we are down to two vehicles from three. My wifes Windstar was condemed during a recall inspection recently as it had subframe failure from corrosion.
sgtpopeye43

 

[FL2AK-tdi]

At one time Kerma TDI performed this mod and it showed promise. However it was later determined to cause more harm than good and was abandoned. At least that is how I remember it. To be sure do a search.

Yeah, that's how I remember it as well. I'm glad I never jumped on that bandwagon. I've never been one to think that I could out-design a team of phd engineers.

I also recall that the first we heard of the negative impact of the line pressure mod was through someone who had some dealings with IPT.