change brake/transmission fluid

deaglan169

just wondering your thoughts on this the car is due its major service timing belt etc, im just wondering if i should change the brake and transmission fluid when im at it or is there any point in the extra expense, the car is only a 01 seat leon SDI with 107k miles on it, i suspect that definately the transmission fluid was never changed and a very good change the brake fluid wasnt either

Anan1

If it's still on its original brake fluid after nine years then IMO you'd be mad not to change it.

-Corkie-

Vw say you should change it every 2 years. Is that just a money making exercise for there dealers or would you believe it..

Anan1

-Corkie- wrote: »

Vw say you should change it every 2 years. Is that just a money making exercise for there dealers or would you believe it..

Brake fluid absorbs water and degrades over time. There is a machine for testing it rather than just replacing it every, say, two years. It's not something i'd skimp on, though - it's cheap, old fluid can shorten the life of the braking system, and worst of all, it can boil under heavy braking.

Nissan doctor

All car manufacturers and brake fluid manufacturers recommend changing the brake fluid every 2 years and from experience by the time fluid gets to around the 3 year old mark it will be showing signs of deterioration.

Max_Damage

Ugh, gearbox oil ,the smell of it makes me gag!

deaglan169

thanks guys ill look into getting it changed so when im getting the timing belt done any idea how much i need i think its prob around 2l, what about the transmission fluid since its a sealed unit so speaking would it be ok

-Corkie-

deaglan169 wrote: »

thanks guys ill look into getting it changed so when im getting the timing belt done any idea how much i need i think its prob around 2l, what about the transmission fluid since its a sealed unit so speaking would it be ok

Thats due a change too imo.

Voodoomelon

Here's my 9.5 year old tranny fluid at 82k miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1Hd_r7iN4

mathepac

deaglan169 wrote: »

... what about the transmission fluid ...

Is it an auto-box? If it is the ATF and filter will need changing.

If you mean gear-box oil (manual box) then yes it needs changing BUT can you locate the drain-plug? (the top-up one usually isn't a problem).

If you mean clutch-fluid then it shares the reservoir with the brake fluid IIRC.

Nissan doctor

deaglan169 wrote: »

thanks guys ill look into getting it changed so when im getting the timing belt done any idea how much i need i think its prob around 2l, what about the transmission fluid since its a sealed unit so speaking would it be ok

It depends, some VW boxes have lifetime oil which(vw say) never needs to be changed.
If you are having it changed it only takes 1.7L and would take around half an hour to do, brake fluid would take less time.

Atlantic Dawn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwQ-fv12HIo

deaglan169

im gonna get a price of the lad who does the work for me but changing the brake fluid doesnt look too stressful and ill see what he says about gearbox oil, i think its 75w 90 i need for the gearbox again anyone know roughly how much i need

Voodoomelon

Don't under estimate the time it takes to do the brake fluid. If you've never done it before allow at least two hours to do it (including jacking up, wheel removal, the process itself and getting the car back on the ground).

Nissan doctor

deaglan169 wrote: »

im gonna get a price of the lad who does the work for me but changing the brake fluid doesnt look too stressful and ill see what he says about gearbox oil, i think its 75w 90 i need for the gearbox again anyone know roughly how much i need

1.7L as above according to VW

deaglan169

just a follow up got great price to get work done not much extra for the fluid changes is it fully or semi that i need for the gear oil?