Passat DSG Service

PatrickDoherty

Just looking for some info re servicing my gearbox, its a B8 passat 7 speed dsg 140kms on it.

Not a clue about cars so looking for suggestions on what's required and whers's best to do the service,

Is it a simple change of the oil in it that's needed or full service of all components?

Tia

zg3409

I researched a 2016 Tiguan dsg. It needed specialist tools and it needed to be completed every 60,000km or serious damage could result. I got quotes from independent vag gearbox specialist but the price was around the same as the local VW dealer. I suggest you get a quite from a few nearby VW dealers as price can vary. It worked out about 200 euro from.deaker for only this job, but it adds peace of mind and proof of service may improve resale value.

Dont give it to a cowboy local as certain steps need to be taken including telling the gearbox to go through cycling gears and then oil flushed etc. I would typically do most jobs myself but gearboxes need specialist tools. There are some tool kits you can buy for the job, but I would not risk it.

XsApollo

Well whatever it is it ain’t cheap.

the oil is expensive and ideally it should be done with a powerflush machine.

my mechanic doesn’t use one but it’s recommended to use one.

depends on the gearbox model wether it needs a filter change or not.

also some recommend changing other bits also, taking the oil pan off and cleaning which will then need a new gasket also.

if you go to a dealer the will only change the auto side, the manual side is oil for life.

my last service I got manual side and auto side done just because it was the first change since I got the car, will only do the Auto side for the next couple of changes.

don’t go over the service interval either as they don’t like it, if something goes wrong they ain’t cheap to fix.

teediddlyeye

Specialist tools?

Powerflush machine?

Oil pan off?

Wtf lol

Drain oil, fill with adaptor. Start engine, select P/R/N/D, drain excess oil with engine running with gear oil above 35 degrees reading measured vaules. Job done.

Some are sealed for life and some don't need a filter change. Ask your dealer.

cpoh1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119128501#Comment_119128501

Ignore this point and bring your car to a main VW dealer for the DSG service, its not straightforward and i wouldnt trust any old backyard garage with the work. Bring mine to a VW specialist but its the same price as a dealers.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119133894#Comment_119133894

That's exactly how I've done plenty of them in a vw main dealer as that's exactly what the vw workshop manual says.

Anyone bringing their car into a dealer asking for some flushing machine for their DSG will get a smile and a "no problem" from the service advisor.

Back into the workshop and "this gobsh1te says........"

None of the techs will want to work on it as the chances you'll be back for a made up issue are quite high!

Had some prat a while back accusing me of not changing his filter as it goes under the battery tray, you can get them out by taking off the intake pipe onto the turbo. Anyways he'd put some electrical tape on the battery terminal and as I hadn't disturbed it he said I never changed the filter.

Had claimed that the "official vw YouTube channel" (there's no such thing) says you need to remove the battery. Just told him I don't go by YouTube.

Long story short don't bring your car to a workshop and start asking for sh1te that doesn't exist. They'll know immediately and won't want to deal with you and will quote you out the door, goodbye and don't come back.

PatrickDoherty

Quoted 200e for it by a gearbox specialist in South Dublin said they use recommended VW oil but 200 sounds a bit too good to be true, VW themselves are looking for 400 for the job, tempted to go with them for peace of mind and stamp, any views?

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137314#Comment_119137314

Sounds very suspicious price wise...costs near enough that to get an engine oil change.....

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137314#Comment_119137314

Oil is approx €120 iirc, filter €10\15 if needed.

So about €60 for labour, plausible price as I've said it is a straight forward job, less than an hour if all goes well.

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119128501#Comment_119128501

Sounds remarkably like the Mercedes Benz automatic fluid change....In the two MB's that I owned, I changed the fluid ( sump, TC and oil cooler ) myself. Drain sump, remove pan and filter. in the 722.9 trans, drop electric oil pump down, rotate the TC until the drain stud appears, open and allow to drain. Allow to drain well, then fit new filter, clean sump and magnets , new sump gasket, replace, and torque up sump studs. Pump new oil back in, start engine cycle through gear selector several times, then while in P and at 45c, check level. Job done. But I think that the VAG auto is a different set up, its not a true automatic like the MB one, it works in a different way, and has a bigger mechanical function, am I right?

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137448#Comment_119137448

Correct,

The merc is a proper auto (which I much prefare) which would normally have the filter internal. Bit more involved in servicing it.

The vag DSG is basically a manual box with a hydraulic mechatronic unit that actuates the clutches and changes gear. They have an external cartridge type filter so easy to change, no stripping involved. Its a simple drain and refill job then drain the excess at the right temp.

The longest part of the job can often be waiting for it to get up to temp!

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137564#Comment_119137564

I used to work for VW / Audi many moons ago, but that was long before the mechatronic box was introduced, so aside from having an idea about how they work ( as you described) I've never opened one. I had never opened an MB box either until I bought one, and now I'm on my 2nd , a 220 E class. Once you get the 1st one done, the 2nd is a lot easier. At the end of the day, the badge is only a badge, the mechanics not so different. And they all have their specific peculiarities. I don't hear too much about problems with the mechatronic trans now, but in the early days, it was troublesome, I believe? And you wont have a problem getting it up to temp.....the problem is the speed at which it passes the temp.......you will not have too much time to either drain or top up. Thats the 722.9 trans. The 722.6 trans ( sealed for life..... Ha Ha Ha ) is much easier to adjust , you could either add or remove via the dipstick. But the problem with the TC in that box was you had to open the return pipe from the oil cooler connect a drain pipe to it, and start the engine, select "D" and pump out the old oil 2 ltrs at a time, replacing it with 2 ltre new oil. Very waste full, butits the only way.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137624#Comment_119137624

The early 6 speed on the mk5 era golf/passat weren't the best. Although plenty out there were grand. You'd get jerky gear changes then pull the mechatronic unit off and the magnets would be destroyed in metal where the box has eaten itself.

The mk6 onwards with the 7 speed boxes are much better, obviously still get the odd lemon.

Also its very easy to get the correct oil level in the dsg, there's a plastic tube that threads into the drain hole, the top sits at the correct level so simply run the engine and drain it till the flow stops.

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137642#Comment_119137642

From what year onwards would be a safe one to buy? At heart, I'm still a VAG fan.

teediddlyeye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119137734#Comment_119137734

I'd say mk6 golf on so 2009