A huuuuuge thread on an "alternate" site, I've read the whole thing whilst being dismayed this arvo, the good info is the first few pages, with a bit of stuff towards page 30 onwards pertaining to the 3-4 flare I have specifically. This is possibly a k2 clutch seal ring that fails and Sonnax have an updated part for. A long read, but tons of experiences amongst the endless queries for diagnosis.

My experience with the 09G Transmission... | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum


I'm going to most likely still get a remanufactured valve body just to eliminate that entirely before I consider going into the innards, and of course this god damn seal ring part is right in the back of the box. A ton of talk towards the end of the above thread ( say page 28 on ), about the benefits of upgrading the earlier "large" solenoids like I have with the later "small can" improved ones. Very interesting....