DSG recon or sell for scrap?

[Pacificblues]

Hi,

I purchased a 2008 Golf Pacific 2.0 TDI 3 months ago that had been meticulously serviced by VW main dealers for it's entire life.

I received a 'check coolant' error a few days ago and took it into my local garage to have it checked.

Unfortunately it seems that transmission fluid has found it's way into the coolant which means coolant has probably found it's way into the DSG gearbox. Apparently the oil cooler had failed which is common on these cars.

The garage are recommending a full rebuild of the gearbox which comes in at $6.5k - ouch!

The repairs would be done at a transmission specialist and would be guaranteed for 12 months/20000km

My question is, given the car is now 'damaged goods' so to speak am I better off just selling it for scrap and let someone else who is good with cars fix the issue.

I originally paid 15k for the car but would be willing to sell it for 8k - does anyone think I would get any takers at that price?

Any help on this would be appreciated, as you can imagine this is a very stressful decision to have to make!

PB

[h100vw]

Has it been confirmed that there coolant in the DSG. By dropping the DSG's oil?

I appreciate its a tough call but I wonder if a bit of cash would be worthwhile. Swap the oil cooler and flush the gearbox out and see what happens.

Gavin

Hi,

I purchased a 2008 Golf Pacific 2.0 TDI 3 months ago that had been meticulously serviced by VW main dealers for it's entire life.

I received a 'check coolant' error a few days ago and took it into my local garage to have it checked.

Unfortunately it seems that transmission fluid has found it's way into the coolant which means coolant has probably found it's way into the DSG gearbox. Apparently the oil cooler had failed which is common on these cars.

The garage are recommending a full rebuild of the gearbox which comes in at $6.5k - ouch!

The repairs would be done at a transmission specialist and would be guaranteed for 12 months/20000km

My question is, given the car is now 'damaged goods' so to speak am I better off just selling it for scrap and let someone else who is good with cars fix the issue.

I originally paid 15k for the car but would be willing to sell it for 8k - does anyone think I would get any takers at that price?

Any help on this would be appreciated, as you can imagine this is a very stressful decision to have to make!

PB

[Umai Naa!!]

You would need to 100% confirm what has been contaminated.

It's the first I've heard of, where the DSG was affected by an oil cooler failure, but I'd never rule out the possibility. It's more common for the engine oil cooler to fail on these. Usually easy to spot, as the coolant will be contaminated by black engine oil.

If indeed, the DSG has been affected, checking the oil level and condition would definitely confirm so.

Also worth finding out through a VW what an exchange DSG transmission is worth.

If it were me, I'd just do an oil and filter change on the DSG, and replace the oil cooler, and see how it goes.

[vdubmotorworx]

Ive seen the cooler go on 2 mk5 golfs...both had coolant in the DSG oil...first one flushed 4 times at a big cost in oil but had issues with slipping and banging from wet clutch and mechatronics....fitted exchange boxes to both and cleaned out cooling system best as possible...VDUB...

[kaanage]

Is it worth looking for a DSG from a wrecked MkV TDi (or Skoda Octavia)?
Or is it too hard to get the mechatronics coded to the ECU?

[Pacificblues]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I just confirmed with the mechanic that has the car that the transmission fluid is milky and so has definitely been contaminated by coolant unfortunately.

[Umai Naa!!]

Is it worth looking for a DSG from a wrecked MkV TDi (or Skoda Octavia)?
Or is it too hard to get the mechatronics coded to the ECU?

Basic set it, and away you go.

[Pacificblues]

I am still tempted to try the transmission flush and see how I go. The alternative is spending half the value of the car, and end up having a tainted vehicle.

Hmmm, if I had more land I would break it up and sell it on Ebay.

[Umai Naa!!]

Having a new DSG in it would be a good selling point, I would think.

[lankfert]

Second opinion? Do you trust this mechanic or does he just tell you what will get him paid?

[Fatherless One]

Having a new DSG in it would be a good selling point, I would think.

True, but if he puts a new DSG in he may as well keep the car.

I recently spent over $4000 on mine, I'm keeping it.

It seems VW's auto's are their weak point.

[stickshift3000]

I recently spent over $4000 on mine, I'm keeping it.

It seems VW's auto's are their weak point.

Many owners never have issues with their DSG's, I don't know that it's a weak point in these cars. The tiptronic 6-speed that you had issues with on the other hand have known faults.

[Umai Naa!!]

The autos are a ticking time bomb, if they've not been serviced, which most of them haven't.

DSGs less so.

[Fatherless One]

Many owners never have issues with their DSG's, I don't know that it's a weak point in these cars. The tiptronic 6-speed that you had issues with on the other hand have known faults.

Agreed, and a regular servicing schedule from VW would have helped, there must be hundreds of owners about to have the same dilemma.

A positive for those needing parts from wrecked cars.

Pretty **** really.

[nsxadrenalin]

I have a Mk5 Tdi DSG box for sale if you'd like?

I bought it as a spare about 6 months ago.

Check the for sale section and make an offer =)