Just looking for a little information and advice from those with experience and knowledge. I have had my Tiguan going on 7 years now and have been having it services by qualified mechanics up to now. I know that preventative maintenance is important and now that my vehicle is at 150,000km it needs more than just an engine oil change. I've had the transmission serviced by Umai Naa!! (and I'm not sure what else he did at the same time) a few years ago and was going to get him to do it again, but then something came up for the time we'd arranged and I had to postpone. In the interim I have been thinking that I might be able to do it myself - I'm a gumby, but I have a basic level of mechanical knowledge and aptitude after working on my dirt bikes and rebuilding one of its engines. So I had a look into it and I'm getting more and more convinced I can do it myself. But maybe the VWWatercooled collective have opinions that could sway me.
From what I can tell, there are 4 components to the drivetrain that need fluid changes for a vehicle around my ones age, but I'd like to confirm that:
1) Tiptronic transmission
2) Front bevel box (I presume that is effectively a front diff?)
3) Rear Final Drive (effectively the rear differential)
4) Haldex (effectively a clutch box at the rear?)
I have to admit to relying heavily on this post on VW Vortex, but maybe you guys can add something - VWVortex.com - 2012 Tiguan Drivetrain Service (F&R diff, haldex, 09M auto trans)
Here's what I've managed to find on each, along with clarification questions if anyone has answers.
1) Tiptronic transmission
The dealer reckons the gearbox is "sealed for life" and doesn't need servicing. What rubbish! Fluids degrade over time with use and it is silly to suggest they will never need refreshing unless you consider the "life" to be less than 10 years (which I do not). Interesting that the Elsa manual I have has a servicing procedure in it and there is not only a drain hole in the pan, but official VW tools available to do the service. On my Vito van I had to not only drain the fluid from the transmission but also from the torque converter which has a screw-in drain plug in it too. The Tig transmission doesn't appear to need separate torque converter draining, just from the transmission pan. The drain and refil procedure looks easy enough to do myself with just 1 specialty tool for refilling being the VAS6262-2 adapter that you screw into the pan drain hole to push fluid back into teh transmission. No need for a dipstick as the drain hole has a raised bit which will automatically drain off excess fluid and leave the right amount in there (if the fluid is at the right temp). I'm thinking I'll use the Fuchs Tital ATF 4400 transmission fluid and it'll take about 7L of that. Although there is a filter which can be changed if you remove the pan, from what I have read and can tell it is more of a screen than a filter and it is highly unlikely it will get blocked up. So if I cma going to do the service at home rather than risk exposing the transmission by removing the pan I think I'll leave the "never needs a service" filter in there and just change the fluid. When I did my Vito I also put a powerful magnet in the tray to catch fine metal particles the filter doesn't catch, and if I was to remove the pan on the Tig I'd do the same. But I just don't see the need for the moment.
Tell me how much of a fool I am for thinking that if you like - it might change my opinion.
When it comes to replenishing the fluid I'll get some clear hose from Bunnings to put in the adapter and then use gravity to push the fluid in (like the Elsa manual suggests). Should be easy enough.
2) Front bevel box
The Elsa manual has a procedure for "Checking and topping up gear oil in bevel box" but nothing on draining the fluid already in there. The post on Vortex says the drain hole is "pretty obvious" though. I guess I'll get under the vehicle and look to see what I can see and take some pics. Any suggestions for what I'm looking for (other than something that looks like a bolt :-P)?
And then recommendations on what fluid to use? It looks like it is a separate diff and not part of the gearbox, so I'll probably use Fuchs Titan Sintopoid FE SAE 75W-85. The Elsa manual doesn't seem to have much info in this regard, unless I'm not reading closely enough, but the Fuchs website says "Front Bevel Gear system, use TITAN SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85" which is the same as the rear diff.
As for tools to replenish the fluid, there is a "special adapter" available but it looks like I can just use a hand pump (like a Tom Thumb one from Supercheap) to do it.
3) Rear Final Drive (effectively the rear differential)
The Elsa manual refers to the "Final Drive" which I have to assume is the rear diff. It seems like a pretty straight forward remove top refill plug, remove drain plug, flush fresh fluid, replace drain plug, refill until fluid seeps out of refill hole and plug it up again job. Again, looks like a simple hand pump will do the job and I'll use use Fuchs TITAN SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85. The biggest thing to be careful with this appears to be making sure I don't confuse the drain and fill plugs of the Diff with those for the Haldex.
Comments?
4) Haldex
It seems my only option here is to buy the VW Haldex fluid. Process seems similar to the diff fluid change. There is some mention of a filter, but from what I can tell if there is one there is no need to replace it on a vehicle my ones age.
I realise I should probably get a mechanic like Umai Naa!! to do it, but I really am keen on giving it a try myself. So, a penny for your thoughts?
From what I can tell, there are 4 components to the drivetrain that need fluid changes for a vehicle around my ones age, but I'd like to confirm that:
1) Tiptronic transmission
2) Front bevel box (I presume that is effectively a front diff?)
3) Rear Final Drive (effectively the rear differential)
4) Haldex (effectively a clutch box at the rear?)
I have to admit to relying heavily on this post on VW Vortex, but maybe you guys can add something - VWVortex.com - 2012 Tiguan Drivetrain Service (F&R diff, haldex, 09M auto trans)
Here's what I've managed to find on each, along with clarification questions if anyone has answers.
1) Tiptronic transmission
The dealer reckons the gearbox is "sealed for life" and doesn't need servicing. What rubbish! Fluids degrade over time with use and it is silly to suggest they will never need refreshing unless you consider the "life" to be less than 10 years (which I do not). Interesting that the Elsa manual I have has a servicing procedure in it and there is not only a drain hole in the pan, but official VW tools available to do the service. On my Vito van I had to not only drain the fluid from the transmission but also from the torque converter which has a screw-in drain plug in it too. The Tig transmission doesn't appear to need separate torque converter draining, just from the transmission pan. The drain and refil procedure looks easy enough to do myself with just 1 specialty tool for refilling being the VAS6262-2 adapter that you screw into the pan drain hole to push fluid back into teh transmission. No need for a dipstick as the drain hole has a raised bit which will automatically drain off excess fluid and leave the right amount in there (if the fluid is at the right temp). I'm thinking I'll use the Fuchs Tital ATF 4400 transmission fluid and it'll take about 7L of that. Although there is a filter which can be changed if you remove the pan, from what I have read and can tell it is more of a screen than a filter and it is highly unlikely it will get blocked up. So if I cma going to do the service at home rather than risk exposing the transmission by removing the pan I think I'll leave the "never needs a service" filter in there and just change the fluid. When I did my Vito I also put a powerful magnet in the tray to catch fine metal particles the filter doesn't catch, and if I was to remove the pan on the Tig I'd do the same. But I just don't see the need for the moment.
Tell me how much of a fool I am for thinking that if you like - it might change my opinion.
When it comes to replenishing the fluid I'll get some clear hose from Bunnings to put in the adapter and then use gravity to push the fluid in (like the Elsa manual suggests). Should be easy enough.
2) Front bevel box
The Elsa manual has a procedure for "Checking and topping up gear oil in bevel box" but nothing on draining the fluid already in there. The post on Vortex says the drain hole is "pretty obvious" though. I guess I'll get under the vehicle and look to see what I can see and take some pics. Any suggestions for what I'm looking for (other than something that looks like a bolt :-P)?
And then recommendations on what fluid to use? It looks like it is a separate diff and not part of the gearbox, so I'll probably use Fuchs Titan Sintopoid FE SAE 75W-85. The Elsa manual doesn't seem to have much info in this regard, unless I'm not reading closely enough, but the Fuchs website says "Front Bevel Gear system, use TITAN SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85" which is the same as the rear diff.
As for tools to replenish the fluid, there is a "special adapter" available but it looks like I can just use a hand pump (like a Tom Thumb one from Supercheap) to do it.
3) Rear Final Drive (effectively the rear differential)
The Elsa manual refers to the "Final Drive" which I have to assume is the rear diff. It seems like a pretty straight forward remove top refill plug, remove drain plug, flush fresh fluid, replace drain plug, refill until fluid seeps out of refill hole and plug it up again job. Again, looks like a simple hand pump will do the job and I'll use use Fuchs TITAN SINTOPOID FE SAE 75W-85. The biggest thing to be careful with this appears to be making sure I don't confuse the drain and fill plugs of the Diff with those for the Haldex.
Comments?
4) Haldex
It seems my only option here is to buy the VW Haldex fluid. Process seems similar to the diff fluid change. There is some mention of a filter, but from what I can tell if there is one there is no need to replace it on a vehicle my ones age.
I realise I should probably get a mechanic like Umai Naa!! to do it, but I really am keen on giving it a try myself. So, a penny for your thoughts?
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