I purchased a 2002 VW Golf 2.0L engine. I am performing some DIY maintainance, and one of the things I wish to do is to change my ATF and the filter with the gasket since the car is over 60k. However, since it does not have a dipstick, after consulting some dealers, half said that the fluid is lifetime and no need to change it. On the other hand, a few said you must change it but want over $500 for the service! I was therefore, wondering if i can do it myself in the garage (dealers claim "no way!")? Also, if it is possible, can you give me some guidlines for the procedure? Especially the temperature range, which they claim must be exact. Thank you.
Replacement of the trans fluid is not part of normal maintenance for your car. Just checking the level is a royal PITA, and if I were you, if I were not experiencing any transmission problems, I'd just let it go. If you are having troubles, then I'd let a shop do it, but I'd sure as hell shop around a little more to find someone who'll do it for less than $500 -- that's an outrageous price.
Get the Bentley manual for your car and read up on it. Just reading the procedure for checking auto trans fluid level will give you a headache. You should be happy it's intended to be permanent!
I just purchased a 2002 WV Golf and was performign some DIY maintanance. I want to change the ATF, filter, and the gasket. I was wondering if you can do it yourself in a garage for the dealers claim you can't because you need special tools, especially to measure the temperature under which to place the oil in. After consolting with the dealers, who themselves were not sure if I sould even change it, two said that I should but only in the shop (for approx. $500)! My question is therefore, can I do it myself or should I take it to the service. If so, can you give me some guidelines for proceeding for I never dealt with this "closed system" B.S. for ATF.
It's the price of the fluid that's a killer. About $16 per liter and figure about 5 bottles. Plus the filter, and about 1.5 hours labor. Around here $500 is overpriced so check around.
Sounds like they don't want you to have them do it!
DIYer huh You should purchase a Bentley manual, a Haynes manual for easy reading and a vag-com tool. Read and understand the procedure and you can do it! ;-)
Only use VW spec fluids and filters. They can be purchased elsewhere!
This is something you can do, and something that should be done at around 80,000 miles, but it's tricky and you should get the Bentley to show you how.
Assuming it's the same basic transmission as on my 96 VR6, you'll remove the protective pan on the bottom of the transmission which will give you access to a drain plug that has a sleeve that fits vertically up into the transmission to about an inch or so and works as an overflow tube. You pull both out and let the fluid drain. If you do it, you should also replace the filter (kits are available from Adirondack). Then, you replace the sleeve without the drain plug. Remove the cap from the fill tube on the front of the transmission and using a clean funnel you pour fluid into the transmission with the engine running until fluid begins to drip out of the drain plug tube again. Then replace the plug and cover and you're done. By doing this you get around half of the fluid out. Ideally you want to do it more than once to get out as much of the old fluid as possible.
The fluid costs a fortune, too. I've heard of people using some other types of oil, but they knew EXACTLY what they were looking for in terms of the properties of the transmission fluid. Don't use the wrong kind or you'll wreck the transmission. They're very expensive and they're an unbelievable PITA to take out.
Changing the fluid has to be done with the transmission at the right temperature, which IIRC is around 100F. So you have to work fast before the engine gets hot.
Again, don't do this unless you have the manual to guide you. I'm just giving you an overview so you know what's involved, and I may have left out a few things.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to a normal transmission place that forces new fluid in and out under pressure. That will stir up every bit of gunk in the tranny and ruin it. The VW people hang a bag of fluid over the engine and let it flow through slowly. It's the most efficient way to do the job, and replaces the most fluid, but you need the right equipment to do it.
You can probably find more info on the vwvortex site under the section on auto transmissions. There used to be some very knowledgeable people who posted there, too.
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