DSG Gearbox Service

[Transporter]

From what I can see it isn't that complex a process to change the oil on DSG. Change filter, remove drain plug (little oil comes out), remove overflow tube (all oil comes out). Refit new overflow tube, fill with oil using "Special" tool (made from bunnings for about 20 bucks), smash a few bottles down, plug in, jump on diagnostic equipment and start monitoring gearbox temp stats, start engine, run through all gears for at least 3 seconds, return to park, keep running until temp reaches within zone (35-50 from memory) then remove drain plug, excess oil will drain (usually about a litre apparently and then fit plug back in and happy days. This is what I have researched anyway, but it seems to make sense.

A complex or difficult job?
Let me break it down for you. Easy is what we know how to do it, difficult or complex is what we don't know how to do it. I won't comment on the DSG tool you described (the $20 one from Bunnings), but I just say that the quality of the tool affects the quality of the job. I wouldn't want you to perform any work on my car (in 40 or more years, till then, I should be safe, I do it myself), if I see you with the dodgy equipment in the hand.

[bang chong]

From what I can see it isn't that complex a process to change the oil on DSG. Change filter, remove drain plug (little oil comes out), remove overflow tube (all oil comes out). Refit new overflow tube, fill with oil using "Special" tool (made from bunnings for about 20 bucks), smash a few bottles down, plug in, jump on diagnostic equipment and start monitoring gearbox temp stats, start engine, run through all gears for at least 3 seconds, return to park, keep running until temp reaches within zone (35-50 from memory) then remove drain plug, excess oil will drain (usually about a litre apparently and then fit plug back in and happy days. This is what I have researched anyway, but it seems to make sense.

You are pretty much spot on, not a very hard job at all.

[bjc2974]

my Ultratune mechanic advised me he has serviced serveral DSG's and isnt a problem to do....Maverick you dont happen to work for a VW dealer dealer do you with that attitude?

[Finance_Analyst]

when do the dsg boxes need servicing?

[GTiNewby]

Where is that service centre. My last DSG service cost 1300. And then the DSG has started to shudder under light acceleration ever since the service and after 2 days of testing(?) they don't know exactly whats wrong with it. Spewing. Now they want to charge me 3500 for a mechatronic replacement.

[Jmac]

A complex or difficult job?
Let me break it down for you. Easy is what we know how to do it, difficult or complex is what we don't know how to do it. I won't comment on the DSG tool you described (the $20 one from Bunnings), but I just say that the quality of the tool affects the quality of the job. I wouldn't want you to perform any work on my car (in 40 or more years, till then, I should be safe, I do it myself), if I see you with the dodgy equipment in the hand.

This is 100% spot on, to say it is " easy is ridiculous, yeah its easy for me as a tech but home jobs beware, even if you think its easy. Lots of things and procedures are easy when you have the gear and the know how, ive seen plenty of " easy things $%^&*# right up coz it was "easy" and that was in approved shop( diplomatic) could go on and on but been around too long not to
Say no more
Jmac

[VW Convert]

when do the dsg boxes need servicing?

Service interval for DSG is 60,000 KM (this is for 6 speed, not sure about 7 speed)

[VW Convert]

Where is that service centre. My last DSG service cost 1300. And then the DSG has started to shudder under light acceleration ever since the service and after 2 days of testing(?) they don't know exactly whats wrong with it. Spewing. Now they want to charge me 3500 for a mechatronic replacement.

$1,300 for a DSG service? Sounds like more than a DSG service to me, my last one was around $400 at a VW dealer.

[Maverick]

my Ultratune mechanic advised me he has serviced serveral DSG's and isnt a problem to do....Maverick you dont happen to work for a VW dealer dealer do you with that attitude?

Why do I have to work for a VW dealer to realise that an Ultratune franchise is not going to be able to perform a DSG service correctly? A VW specialist is in a position to do one with the correct tools and experience but a guy that works on cars all day from customers only interested in the cheapest oil change?

[bjc2974]

Maverick. A couple of points you should know before "bad mouthing" a mechanic/business you know nothing about -
1. whether its a franchise of Ultratune, Midas or any local mechanic is totally irrevelant. If the mechanic working on your vehicle has experience working on a specific component then THAT is the the most important thing!
2. My mechanic actually owns a passat CC so I dont think he would be taking shortcuts servicing DSG's.

We have purchaed 2 VW's both with DSG and have NEVER had it serviced by VW, always by our same Ultratune guy. The golf which we no longer have had 249K on the clock with zero issues, our Jetta now has 122K and all ok so far......

[johnw]

Maverick. A couple of points you should know before "bad mouthing" a mechanic/business you know nothing about -
1. whether its a franchise of Ultratune, Midas or any local mechanic is totally irrevelant. If the mechanic working on your vehicle has experience working on a specific component then THAT is the the most important thing!
2. My mechanic actually owns a passat CC so I dont think he would be taking shortcuts servicing DSG's.

We have purchaed 2 VW's both with DSG and have NEVER had it serviced by VW, always by our same Ultratune guy. The golf which we no longer have had 249K on the clock with zero issues, our Jetta now has 122K and all ok so far......

I'm sure your ultra-tune guy is experienced with DSG but I think that's more the exception not the rule.

My sister in law brought her 97 Honda in to Ultratune with the ABS light on and they said it needed an $600 new ABS controller module.

Not happy with that she wanted to shop around, but meanwhile, Me, a real novice with Hondas, searched for 20min, found the onboard diagnostics feature (shorting of two pins on one of the ECU ports give's codes via flashing instrument lights), got the code and turned out to be a $30 faulty wheel sensor.

It's a franchise, quality depends on which one you go to (probably the same applies for VW dealers but at least they only work on VWs and have factory diagnostics).

[bjc2974]

johnw -ofcourse VW will have more experience usually with DSG servicing but VW can be as useless as any other service centre if the person working on your car does not know what they are looking for or doing (there are plenty of examples on this forum to show u this does happen at VW). The point being made was that "experience & know how" is the MOST important things when dealing with a complex component like a DSG, not what franchise/mechanic does the job which I think was what Maverick was having a "cheap shot" at!

[DonJuan]

I have read other posts said that it costs around $500 to get the DSG service at dealer, does anyone know whats included ? Is that just to replace new gearbox oil or more ? I would do it myself if possible or go to dealer to buy DSG gearbox oil and get Kmart auto to replace it, i have a 2007 Jetta 2.0TSI and only done 35000 kms, so its time to replace new gearbox oil but $500 for me is too expensive, could any member give me some advice please ? Thanks

My dealer quoted me $1,900 for 60,000km DSG service (including regular service requirements) and Mike Webber from Prestige and Performance here in Brisbane quoted me $1,000. (Prestige + Performance :: Audi Service BMW Service Volkswagen Service & Repairs Brisbane) He owns and runs a tuned MKV and i am happy with his service.

The point is, you have to be happy with the service you choose. Price is always inflated on dealer products although they have a bigger support network. Choice is yours in the end.

[ian]

I suppose i'm lucky i dont have to get my DSG serviced till over 100,000km as i had the whole gearbox replaced at 42,000km,

[Maverick]

johnw -ofcourse VW will have more experience usually with DSG servicing but VW can be as useless as any other service centre if the person working on your car does not know what they are looking for or doing (there are plenty of examples on this forum to show u this does happen at VW). The point being made was that "experience & know how" is the MOST important things when dealing with a complex component like a DSG, not what franchise/mechanic does the job which I think was what Maverick was having a "cheap shot" at!

Why are you contradicting yourself, you're saying that experience and know-how is the most important thing when dealing with a DSG. Who is going to have the most experience and know-how? The Volkswagen dealer who does this work on all types of VW with different configurations.

- Who has access to Volkswagen diagnostics including software updates for the DSG? The Volkswagen dealer.
- Who has access to Volkswagen test procedures, service bulletins and internal Volkswagen resources? The Volkswagen dealer.
- Who has all the tools required on hand to perform the change correctly? The Volkswagen dealer.
- Who has factory and internally trained staff? The Volkswagen dealer.
- Who protects the warranty with a dealer service history for goodwill claims out of warranty on the DSG? The Volkswagen dealer.

And sure VW dealers make mistakes but I'd bet that Ultratune make a hell of a lot more not to mention there are plenty of examples where Ultratune have deceived their customers including using the cheapest oils that have no standards and charging for a premium oil.