Just replaced 020 gearbox fluid

[Golf Houso]

As states above, just replaced the existing engine oil with Penrite "sin" series LSD and transmission fluid 75W-90. Car shifts dramatically better, but I was bothered more so by the 600-700 odd ML which was cane out of the transmission when I drained it

I'm really surprised the car even drove with that much fluid in the box, the 2nd gear crunch on cold is completely gone, although I'm not entirely sure if that was due moreso the lack of fluid or the replacement fully synthetic LSD spec fluid

The 2.5L's of fluid was $59 from Pep's and I recommend anyone with tranny problems have a go at this as I can honestly say after the short drive on cold fluid that the car behaves better than it ever did when it was warm.

Cheers, Branko.

[Pullstarter]

Sounds like a good thing to do Branko, did the box end up taking the whole 2.5L?

Cheers
Simon

[rayray086]

Hoping to do mine after the clutch change too How much did you put back in?

[The_Hawk]

I didn't replace mine, but had it "topped up" when the local guys put the coils in... had I have known just how empty it was I would have replaced it fully. Mine also took close to 2L of fluid...

Seems people never bother to check transmission fluid... ever.

[Golf Houso]

Sounds like a good thing to do Branko, did the box end up taking the whole 2.5L?

Cheers
Simon

Well, I wasn't really sure how much exactly I put in, but I'm guessing it was very very close to 2.0L probably 1.9L or therebouts. I did spill a bit but the by the looks of the bottle we concluded that it was very close to 2.0L. The car was on axle stands and we basically kept putting it in until its started dripping out then put the plug back in. The 020 tranny holds 2L of fluid so yeah it was close. Considering the fact that my car was running on 600ml of fluid I doubt that even 100ml will make much of a difference if you end up spilling any or have difficulty refilling it.

You can get other performance gear oils like Royal Purple and RedLine in quarts but that means you will still be at least 100ml off maximum capacity, hence why I chose the Penrite 2.5L and I must say it works a treat in the car.
I'll take a picture of the product tomorrow and post it up here and I"ll go for a drive at around 11.30pm to see how it goes in the cold, anyone else wanna go for a run hahaha?

[MattyT]

I've got 2L of Motul FF Type2 LSD fluid to go in my g'box tomorrow, have had the stuff for months but I finally bought a trolley jack so can ditch that useless widowmaker and finally get the car on some stands and do my fluid too! Yay!

It's good to hear of the results with the penrite!!

[Golf Houso]

I've got 2L of Motul FF Type2 LSD fluid to go in my g'box tomorrow, have had the stuff for months but I finally bought a trolley jack so can ditch that useless widowmaker and finally get the car on some stands and do my fluid too! Yay!

Cool... sounds good, I was looking through the threads on changing gearbox oil and saw your post, wasn't that at least 6 months ago? Well no matter at least its going in now, how much did that set your back for the 2l?

[MattyT]

Um, yeah probably was 6 months ago! lol

From memory about $80.

[Golf Houso]

Um, yeah probably was 6 months ago! lol

From memory about $80.

Ahh no worries , $80 is pretty good I must say and considering that I spent 1/2 the day looking for fully sythentic LSD spec 75W-90 tranny oil. Thats a good price considering the spec of the oil, pretty much $30-$40 looks about right.

Yeah its a shame about no one ever checking the tranny fluid. My dad was like "are you sure theres meant to be 2.0L of fluid in this transmission?" After the paltry 600-700ml trickled out.
It was pretty painful to know that you have been driving a car with so little tranny oil for so long, and I'd imagine you felt the same. Amazing how well the car drove with such little fluid though, tough little bastard!

[MattyT]

Testament to vw engineering!

Mine isnt in yet, and I have no idea what my current fluid level is. Should be interesting!!

[Golf Houso]

Testament to vw engineering!

Mine isnt in yet, and I have no idea what my current fluid level is. Should be interesting!!

Haha ... unfortunately I think it will be low... alot lower than you would like more likely
Just gonna take it for a drive now on completely cold tranny to see if the2nd gear crunch is gone brb.

[Golf Houso]

Just came back from one of my usual late night runs and I must say there is quite a difference. Its still the same transmission, with some of the same fundamental problems but that oil change has certainly gone some way to smooth over some of the bumps.

The car shifts smoother on both up and down shifts, it shifts into gear quicker, takes less time to come off the gear change, there is even less transmission crawl when in a lower gear at higher rpm and the car is alot smoother coming off the clutch after it has been depressed in an already engaged gear.

You still have to be careful though, the transmission is still a dainty thing and must be treated carefully when cold. Its now many many many times better when cold than it originally was but you have to, as with everything give it a chance to warm up before you belt it. But at least its a lot better now when you belt it. So the basic conclusion is that this isn't the magic bullet for your dodgy VW tranny, but rather a treatment to maximise what potential is already there and to maintain its conditon.

[brad]

Mine only had 1L in it when I did my change. Which makes you wonder where it went.......

In my case there were no obvious external leaks except fpr a few drops from the bellhousing to engine joint. I think it was leaking past the long pin that actuates the clutch. I believe the symptom is that the clutch slips in 4th & 5th gear, above 3500rpm with a carload of people, going up a hill.

I assume there must be an o-ring in there somewhere but have no idea what it costs to fix it.

[MattyT]

Probably way too much.

Well sadly my sunday was more packed then I bargained for and I havent been able to get under the car and do my oil. It'll have to wait for tuesday (my day off). Bugger

[Mrk_Mickey]

Damn I should do this soon! I was told it would be a good idea to replace the oil with redline oil, and I still haven't gotten around to it...