Service, then a shattered DSG box - cost of a new DSG and other options?

[slipshot]

Chaps

Friend at work has a 07 2.0 TDI with DSG - had it since new.

On 30 Dec it had its 120,000km service (actually on 126,087). This included the changing of the auto transmission fluid and filter.

She noticed occasional drips after the service from the car but thought it was 'excess' something dripping down. Last Friday 13 Jan, her car would pull away in first but then stayed there and would not change into second. She stopped driving and it was towed to the dealer.

Dealer has now reported that DSG box is knackered and quoted $5,000 for a new one.

I'm getting involved as a friend as she has little idea as to what her options are, but has anyone else heard of this? I'm going to clarify their diagnosis and understand what exactly has happened (she could not remember the terminology they used), but given she's an average driver, had the car since new etc, this seems either massive bad luck, extreme or an issue with the service?

Any thoughts on what could have happened and suggestions on repair. 5 grand is a lot to stump having just spent $1250 on a service? Thanks

[Fixxxer]

It will most likely depend on the diagnosis, i.e., the mode of failure of the dsg box, as to whether there will be any help from VW.
Since the dsg was serviced recently, if it has anything to do with the dsg running out of oil, or a lack of oil, etc. you may have some way of seeking compensation.

Fixxxer

[team_v]

Did she purchase the extended warranty?
That is the main reason i didn't go with DSG.

[slipshot]

Thanks chaps. Ok, dealer now saying a slightly different story. They have seen this before, they say, BUT they have obviously in the past only told people of the replacement cost. We know now this is the mechantronics unit failing.

They called around to other dealerships and have been advised on a potential repair that may work. Estimated cost of $900 versus $5k for the new mechatronics unit. They are investigating today and will advise afterwards. Apparently they can either go suddenly or take time by giving off noises. Easy to say of course...

Let's see what happens with them and will advise...

[team_v]

Keep us updated.

Also can you find out if the owner has purchased the extended warranty as this will surely help your cause.

[slipshot]

No extended warranty. This is all cold hard cash!

I found a place in the UK that fixes them after removal within 2-3 days, so they see enough of them over there to warranty having this business. Otherwise, I think we're in for a nice fee of some kind...

[Paul_OH]

Hi Slipshot,
Very sorry to hear of your friend's predicament however hopefully there is enough supporting history out there to acknowledge that this is possibly a gearbox design problem and VWA may come to the party somewhat. For something like a mechatronics unit to completely fail at 120,000km would be frustrating as hell (and unacceptable in my mind) and hopefully the dealer/VWA understand that it's enough for someone to vow never to buy another VW (nor their friends/family) or alternatively buy another in a heartbeat depending on how they handle or solve the issue.
Most importantly there were numerous DSG mechatronics issues covered under warranty worldwide to the point that VWoA (USA) extended their DSG warranty to 100,000 miles or 10 years.
Anyway, my experience is extremely limited and there are a lot more people on here with more knowledge and experience and I hope they chime in with some useful help and experience.

FYI, my mechatronic was replaced at approx 20,000km and the dealer/VWA understood straight away that there was an issue and how to rectify it.

Here's a couple of links that I hope will make interesting reading.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/images/pdf/VW-DSG-recall-warranty-extension.pdf

VWVortex.com - DSG/Mechatronic Failure Update

I can't access golfmkv.com at the moment however there are numerous stories of issues in their in the Australian section (and all other sections for that matter).

Best of luck!

Paul

[slipshot]

Cheers all (and Paul)

Ok, the car is back. First quote on the phone was a new Mechatronics unit at $5k. Then we had the estimated cost of $900.

Actual cost - $154. But no labour charge at all - just a refilling of components in the hydraulic system within the Mechatronics unit. They admitted we were guinea pigs and that they had never done this before and also, that although it did rectify the problem, there's no saying when it will come back again. My suspicion is it will.

Thus car change to happen sooner rather than late on this particular model - via trade in I hasten to add as she wants something else but would rather it go to a dealer than a private customer for moralistic reasons. Who knows, it may have fixed it for another ten years but again, it's hard to know.

My own research had identified numerous issues around the world, and even a company in the UK that shows you how to remove the unit and return it to them where they will fix all the necessary parts and return it you for a fraction of the cost of a new unit. Interesting finds...

[85Fuego]

Why was there a $154 charge at all - surely that should have been done gratis as they didn't do the servicing correctly?
Can we elicit the firms name - a dealer or privateer?

David

[Umai Naa!!]

A simple re-filling after continual drips, leading up to failure?

Sounds like someone forgot to put the inspection plug back in after the service.

The DSG may well live to fight another day, but for how long is the question.

Sounds to me as though they've saved her bacon in the short term, and their's in the long term.

[buzuki]

you cant just fill the hydraulics of the mechatronics on that box. The mechatronics oil shares the same as the gearbox oil.
So effectively, it sounds like you ran very low on gearbox oil and the mechatronics hydraulic pump couldnt get enough oil to build pressure up to either select 2nd or engage the clutch.

Sounds like you got stung $154 for their stuffup? . . .

[ian]

If the fault was lack of DSG oil i would demand a refund ,The fault was caused by not renewing the washer on the plug or not tightening the pan i would of refused to pay as you had already paid for them to replace the DSG oil.