DIY gearbox service

[Adrian E]

As far as I'm aware there's nobody South of Chester that has the 'proper' machine for doing the oil flush. I will probably be corrected on that now, but that's all good in an info sharing sense!

I had the drop the sump, change the filter and refill with fresh oil version done a few years ago (not long after buying the car) and it made a massive difference to how quickly the box engaged drive. Noting that the torque converter wouldn't have drained down I repeated that method a couple of years later, with new filter again.

My box has done relatively few miles (68k) but seems to function perfectly.

You might as well get all the bits to do it from TPS as you'll get the right filter and oil for your VIN. If you have VCDS and access to a lift that keeps the car level then it's not a tricky job. Without those I'd defo be getting it done by a garage.

[HPsauce]

Welcome, nice looking car, what exact colour is it?
I think at that age it "should" be the 5-speed ZF box which is the one that has the problems, but if it's the 4-speed I think they are generally considered pretty robust.

[The_Laird]

Not sure if a certain 'guy' in Swindon had the proper kit. Does anyone know?

[dougisaacs]

Yeh, it has the 5 speed tiptronic but not the steering wheel buttons, I guess they were on the facelift cars? Who are TPS, as mentioned for parts?
I don't have the exact colour and I'm on hols at the mo so can't check but it has black leather and darkish wood and i have to say the best interior of any car I've been in, I reckon

[Pug]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Not sure if a certain 'guy' in Swindon had the proper kit. Does anyone know?

He did have access to the kit. I probably wouldn't go down that route to be honest. You'll never know what you'll uncover when you 'flush out' the gearbox

[dougisaacs]

Originally Posted by Pug

He did have access to the kit. I probably wouldn't go down that route to be honest. You'll never know what you'll uncover when you 'flush out' the gearbox

Do you mean flushing it out might cause problems?

[The_Laird]

I think Pug's opinion is in the minority here. Getting a professional flush is widely considered beneficial for the 5 speed D2 boxes.

[dougisaacs]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

As far as I'm aware there's nobody South of Chester that has the 'proper' machine for doing the oil flush. I will probably be corrected on that now, but that's all good in an info sharing sense!

I had the drop the sump, change the filter and refill with fresh oil version done a few years ago (not long after buying the car) and it made a massive difference to how quickly the box engaged drive. Noting that the torque converter wouldn't have drained down I repeated that method a couple of years later, with new filter again.

My box has done relatively few miles (68k) but seems to function perfectly.

You might as well get all the bits to do it from TPS as you'll get the right filter and oil for your VIN. If you have VCDS and access to a lift that keeps the car level then it's not a tricky job. Without those I'd defo be getting it done by a garage.

Is this the aforementioned TPS? https://tps.trade

[The_Laird]

It is indeed

[tintin]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

I think Pug's opinion is in the minority here. Getting a professional flush is widely considered beneficial for the 5 speed D2 boxes.

It depends on the condition of the 5 speed box - if, like the Laird's, the box has been well maintained, then flushing/gearbox servicing will be fine.

If that's not been the case however, and it's either over 100k mileage or there's any evidence of it slipping/shunting, then having a gearbox service can disturb things, and make the problems more apparent and in need of more serious work. Worse case being a refurb'ed box.