I'm in the process of changing the trans fluid in my Passat. I followed Blauparts recommendation to leave the engine idling while filling the last 3.5 liters of fluid, but because I filled it by gravity flow it took a while (I put in 6 liters total). When I hooked up the VAG it said the trans temp is at 69 degrees Celsius. As I understand it, to establish the correct level the trans temp needs to be between 35 and 45 Celsius. So my oil was too hot when I filled it, meaning that it's probably not full enough. How do I correct this? I put in about 5.7 liters of fluid, which means that there is probably half a liter or so sitting in the "overflow" part of the transmission. Can I just start the car up again when the transmission is cooled down, warm it up, and then check the level? Is there any point in adding more fluid?
DSG trans fluid change
- Thread starter JPM
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Dalon
Veteran Member
I'm not sure the proper course of action here, but starting the car and running it with <40% of the oil capacity in the dsg does not seem like a good idea. That is probably why it got hot so quickly - you have very little oil in there so it rises in temperature much faster. I would fill it properly with motor off, get it within the temp range, do the level process.
turbodieseldyke
Top Post Dawg
I don't know where they came up with that idea to run the engine while filling the empty tranny. Maybe it's a stupid time-saving lifehack, but VW says (1) engine off, (2) add 5.5 liters, then (3) engine on, shift the shifter, check temperature, etc
Before you drive it, you should confirm somewhere what the safe temperature limits are for that fluid. If it's overcooked, consider it a loss & replace it the right way.
edit: looking over their instructions again, the fact that they recommend either gravity feed from the jug or a small, slow hand pump, makes that engine-on suggestion really, really inadvisable.
Before you drive it, you should confirm somewhere what the safe temperature limits are for that fluid. If it's overcooked, consider it a loss & replace it the right way.
edit: looking over their instructions again, the fact that they recommend either gravity feed from the jug or a small, slow hand pump, makes that engine-on suggestion really, really inadvisable.
BobnOH
not-a-mechanic
drew_t
Well-known member
Here’s an unstupid one: buy one of these: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-cta-tools-parts/atf-adapter-vw-audi-dsg/cta7416~cta/
and a $7.50 fluid transfer pump from Harbor Freight. You can fill the gearbox in five minutes this way.
bmwM5power
Veteran Member
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- 15 GSW TDI S 6MT 02 JETTA TDI GLS 5MT 15 GOLF TDI SE 6MT 15 GOLF TDI SEL DSG
Not sure-- gallon and a half maybe? I didn't really measure all that well. And some new fluid drained out too.
Only you can determine how much to add to achieve an "overfill" condition and then run the car shifting gears and heat it to 35-45C before removing the drain plug. I use an adapter with a long tube and a hand pump made for adding oil to a marine lower unit.
bmwM5power
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2007
- Location
- Rochester NY
- TDI
- 15 GSW TDI S 6MT 02 JETTA TDI GLS 5MT 15 GOLF TDI SE 6MT 15 GOLF TDI SEL DSG
I know I didn't put in a full 6 liters. The factory recommendation is 5.2 and that is more like what I actually put in. I followed the procedure to set the level, so hopefully it's right.
Agree. To update, I started the car up again the next morning, let it warm to temp, then checked the level again. It was slightly overfilled, as I had suspected based on how much I put in. I've been driving it again for several days and everything seems fine.
MAXRPM
Veteran Member
If you go and refill what you've drained it may be wrong, fluid consumption, let's say last filled was not filled properly so I think it could be a mistake,, I'd tend to go more for what the book said like 5.2 litters,,