Beewi
Well-known member
I finally got my ramps and tools together to tackle the DSG fluid and filter on my 2013 JSW. As suggested here, I opted for the top fill method with the front wheels up, and figured I would end up pouring in 5 liters of new oil in and calling it good. I was afraid that the prior three owners hadn't done any transmission services at all since the Carfax I had didn't show it, and neither of the VW dealerships it went to had record of it. (Dieselgate buyback was at 39000 miles so you know it missed that one...) These are my observation as someone who hasn't done this before.
Aside from the helpful oil plug port a prior owner cut into the splash guard, I also noticed that the 14 mm Allen plug in the transmission took a lot to break loose. I could believe it never had been opened before, but the fluid I got out makes me wonder. It was a dark amber color with no smell at all. I got a little under a liter when the 14 mm plug came out, followed by a little over 4 L when the snorkel was removed. Probably just under 5 L total in the drain pan I etched liter marks on. My understanding was that 4.5-5 liters is a common amount to see when the transmission was serviced before, and that the factory fill typically dumps out a greater volume.
I didn't realize that the snorkel to the airbox comes in 3 pieces and all them have to come out to get the airbox out of the way, so that was a delay. I also needed a pair of vice grips and a second set of pliers to get the compression fitting that holds the intake air line to the filter housing off and on again, and the 5mm Allen bolt holding the airbox down was corroded to the point of picking away rust so my bit would go into it. The biggest surprise to me, in accessing the DSG filter, was how hard it was to get the battery tray out. The corner nearest the headlight seemed to get hung up on the wiring coming down of the fuse box, and was about as bad going back in.
The filter housing was covered in some very fine, black, fluffy-burnt-looking stuff, so that had to be wiped away. Removing the housing, the filter element was gray, and any printing on it was long gone. The old O ring i pulled off the housing was in good shape and still springy. The new filter pushed into place, and the new O ring snugged into the grove on the housing nicely.
Adding the fluid was tedious but easier than a bottom fill. My flow tool funnel has a seep where the funnel joins the black cap, so there was definitely some dripping into the bay. But the fluid went in. In the future I'll take the advice to warm my oil in a pot of hot water first. 50F oil goes slow. The fresh oil (liquid moly 8100) was the color of honey, and stank. My car will probably smell like it for a few weeks, and I expect to get the burning version of the smell once I drive it somewhere.
Reinstalling the filter housing was nerve-wracking because I have read horror stories of people cracking them or shops breaking them with the ungadunga gun. But after hand tightening, I torqued to 25 Nm and got a click, so here's hoping it's sealed. All that was left was pouring the old oil into the new bottles for disposal.
Ran it slowly through the gears twice before backing down the ramps and took it fifty yards or so back to my driveway (borrowed the neighbors because his is flat) with no dash lights. Hopefully there won't be any drips or awful noises any time soon, and the seals are good. Will these cars throw warnings for low transmission fluid levels? This stuff always makes me paranoid.
Aside from the helpful oil plug port a prior owner cut into the splash guard, I also noticed that the 14 mm Allen plug in the transmission took a lot to break loose. I could believe it never had been opened before, but the fluid I got out makes me wonder. It was a dark amber color with no smell at all. I got a little under a liter when the 14 mm plug came out, followed by a little over 4 L when the snorkel was removed. Probably just under 5 L total in the drain pan I etched liter marks on. My understanding was that 4.5-5 liters is a common amount to see when the transmission was serviced before, and that the factory fill typically dumps out a greater volume.
I didn't realize that the snorkel to the airbox comes in 3 pieces and all them have to come out to get the airbox out of the way, so that was a delay. I also needed a pair of vice grips and a second set of pliers to get the compression fitting that holds the intake air line to the filter housing off and on again, and the 5mm Allen bolt holding the airbox down was corroded to the point of picking away rust so my bit would go into it. The biggest surprise to me, in accessing the DSG filter, was how hard it was to get the battery tray out. The corner nearest the headlight seemed to get hung up on the wiring coming down of the fuse box, and was about as bad going back in.
The filter housing was covered in some very fine, black, fluffy-burnt-looking stuff, so that had to be wiped away. Removing the housing, the filter element was gray, and any printing on it was long gone. The old O ring i pulled off the housing was in good shape and still springy. The new filter pushed into place, and the new O ring snugged into the grove on the housing nicely.
Adding the fluid was tedious but easier than a bottom fill. My flow tool funnel has a seep where the funnel joins the black cap, so there was definitely some dripping into the bay. But the fluid went in. In the future I'll take the advice to warm my oil in a pot of hot water first. 50F oil goes slow. The fresh oil (liquid moly 8100) was the color of honey, and stank. My car will probably smell like it for a few weeks, and I expect to get the burning version of the smell once I drive it somewhere.
Reinstalling the filter housing was nerve-wracking because I have read horror stories of people cracking them or shops breaking them with the ungadunga gun. But after hand tightening, I torqued to 25 Nm and got a click, so here's hoping it's sealed. All that was left was pouring the old oil into the new bottles for disposal.
Ran it slowly through the gears twice before backing down the ramps and took it fifty yards or so back to my driveway (borrowed the neighbors because his is flat) with no dash lights. Hopefully there won't be any drips or awful noises any time soon, and the seals are good. Will these cars throw warnings for low transmission fluid levels? This stuff always makes me paranoid.
).