[HELP] DIY servicing Tiguan TDI advice

[Arctra]

Hi guys

It's been a long time since I have been active here, but I remember there were quite a few mechanics and knowledgeable members active here.

I have decided to start doing a lot more of my own maintenance work on my Tiguan. I have been working on motorcycle engines quite a lot and am reasonably confident that I am capable of doing basic maintenance on the Tig too. I have a fair set of tools already, but expect I will need a few more for specialist type jobs, but I figure they'll pay for themselves after a couple of jobs. I have a Vito van as well and there are several really good informative DIY posts on various forums to do your own work on your vehicle, so I thought I would start something similar on this forum in case anyone else wants to learn to do this sort of thing themselves too.

So, for my first job I thought I'd tackle a regular oil service. I took a look in the engine bay and it appears the Tiguan uses a cartridge style oil filter, so it's not a case of just using a strap-wrench to undo the filter and put a new one on. Looking at the plastic filter cap it seems you might be able to remove it using a 32mm socket



Fortunately I do have a 6 sided 32mm socket in my kit


But when I put it on I just don't seem to be able to get enough leverage to crack the lid open, and because the cap is only plastic I am afraid I will round the edges and then really be up the creek without a paddle.


So do I need to get some other "special tool" to remove the filter cap? Is there some special "trick" to removing the filter cap? I assume you undo it counter-clockwise ("lefty-loosey", not "righty-tighty")? I see you are only meant to tighten the cap to 25Nm, so surely it shouldn't be that difficult to undo? I tried undoing it both from a cold engine (first thing in the morning) and with a warm engine (after a quick run to the shops), so it really is on tight. Any advice would be appreciated.

And just climbing under the vehicle there appear to be 2 "plugs" you can remove to drop oil, and although I am pretty sure that the engine oil sump plug is the 19mm bolt at the mid rear of the engine I thought it best to just confirm that.


The 5mm hex-tool bolt on the bottom of the flat pan on the left side of the engine underside is for the gearbox oil, right?


Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

[Lucas_R]

1st pic of the silver alloy sump with the blue arrow is your sump plug - this is the one you want. The other 2x images are your gearbox with the black sump.

As for the oil filter housing, just use a socket extension between your 32mm socket and the wrench so you can get away from the confines of the engine and put some leverage into it. Those plastic filter housings are rubbish and are prone to cracking (similar design to whats used on some VW petrol engines). I know with the petrol engines, ECS tuning make an alloy replacement which is much more robust, not sure if they make one for the TDI but im sure someone does.

[jets]

I have two cars with the plastic cap on the oil filter housing & never had a problem with undoing either. My guess is someone who was ham-fisted has over tightened it, that's why a torque wrench should be used. Being plastic, the fine thread may have been distorted. I would try giving the bar handle a sharp tap with a soft hammer to break the hold.

[someon3]

I'm very keen on getting a TDI Tig, so watching this thread as I'd like to service my own car too. Please let us know how you go with that plastic filter cap.

[Arctra]

OK, so I went onto eBay and have ordered an oil cap tool. I believe the VW needs the "14 Flute" tool - I tried a mates "8 Flute" tool and it does NOT fit.


But then overnight I had an epiphany, so went to Supercheap Auto this morning and bought a 78mm-102mm hose clamp which has an 8mm bolt to tighten it (rather than needing just a screwdriver as there just isn't space to do that). I then cut a large elastic band to the right length, put the clamp on top of the filter cap, and then slotted the rubber band in between the clamp and the cap. The rubber band was to both protect the cap and to allow as even pressure as possible across as much of the cap as possible. I then tightened the clamp pretty tight using the 8mm spanner so that it would not slip on the cap when trying to undo the cap. Then, I put a long screwdriver in with the flat blade tip on the clamps screwing mechanism and hit it with a rubber mallet hard enough to make it turn initially. Once the "seal" was broken I was then able to use the socket to undo the cap normally (using a universal joint and a breaking bar).


So, there you go - I have effectively wasted the $4 the 14 Flute cap tool I ordered on eBay

I hope this helps someone in future though.