2006 T5 TD Auto info - please.

[ShawryT5]

Hi, I am old to VWs, but new to T5s, I am thinking about purchasing a 2006 T5 TD camper with a 'shagged' auto transmission.
I read that these transmissions have issues.
I would Wellcome any advice on rebuilding, replacing, purchasing the transmission etc.
Are they a generic box, or specific to the vehicles Vin number ?
Do you have to get an ECU as well?
I am mechanically inclined and am happy to strip /clean, service the solenoids etc, myself.
What about torque converters, do they fail? $?
Are these transmissions serviceable and are there aftermarket oil coolers or modifications etc available?
Look forward to any assistance before I possibly purchase the vehicle.
Regards
Shawry - Gladstone QLD.

[The One]

Hi, I am old to VWs, but new to T5s, I am thinking about purchasing a 2006 T5 TD camper with a 'shagged' auto transmission.
I read that these transmissions have issues.
I would Wellcome any advice on rebuilding, replacing, purchasing the transmission etc.
Are they a generic box, or specific to the vehicles Vin number ?
Do you have to get an ECU as well?
I am mechanically inclined and am happy to strip /clean, service the solenoids etc, myself.
What about torque converters, do they fail? $?
Are these transmissions serviceable and are there aftermarket oil coolers or modifications etc available?
Look forward to any assistance before I possibly purchase the vehicle.
Regards
Shawry - Gladstone QLD.

There are companies that rebuild them, not cheap though budget for approx. $3-5k. Parts aren't too hard to source, but lack of skills in these boxes is a big issue. Not specific to VIN e.g: You can buy second hand one from wreckers and fit to your model no issues there, you don't need to buy the ECU as you can code it as required.

Torque converters do not fail, however without knowing what the issue is with the one you're looking at no-one can say they don't fail and gaurentee you this one isnt failed...

In other words.. Save yourself the hassle and buy one that works, if the trans is gone, how hard of a life has the van had? Poor service history? Company car thats been thrashed? Been through water? etc etc.. too risky...

[Sunny43.5]

Okay here is what I know and experienced with the Tiptronic in the T5 , first they are sold as sealed for life , don,t believe that crap . I did fall for the VW line and it cost me $8500 for a rebuild , the main problem is that there is a filter inside the box worht about $45 dollars and the gasket around $15 . If VW had allowed that filter to be changed I would not have wasted the $8.5 k . You see if the filter starts to become blocked it will give the impression of a slipping clutch effect which in turn burns out the clutch packs . The solenoid bodies were another problem and apparently some places were replacing them with ones from the US which were superior to the VDub ones . There is a guy here in Brisbane who has wide experience with those boxes well worth giving him a try for advise and maybe repair .Trans Tech in Monte St Slacks Creek .

[ShawryT5]

Okay here is what I know and experienced with the Tiptronic in the T5 , first they are sold as sealed for life , don,t believe that crap . I did fall for the VW line and it cost me $8500 for a rebuild , the main problem is that there is a filter inside the box worht about $45 dollars and the gasket around $15 . If VW had allowed that filter to be changed I would not have wasted the $8.5 k . You see if the filter starts to become blocked it will give the impression of a slipping clutch effect which in turn burns out the clutch packs . The solenoid bodies were another problem and apparently some places were replacing them with ones from the US which were superior to the VDub ones . There is a guy here in Brisbane who has wide experience with those boxes well worth giving him a try for advise and maybe repair .Trans Tech in Monte St Slacks Creek .

Thanks great info, I have rebuilt the new beetle OJ2 and 74 super beetle manual gear boxes before. I have seen the u tube videos of how to service the solenoids. I don't think it is too hard to do, more of 'white mans magic' not to be tampered with scare tactics. See what happens. Cheers.

[Automatics of Marion]

These units have several issues!! we do a lot of them, The valvebodies & solenoids give a lot of trouble, The K1 Clutch (fwd clutch) is prone to failure due to the circlip groove wearing in the drum allowing the clutch piston to overstroke, The K2 clutch (4th,5th & 6th gear) fails due to a steel sleeve that's pressed onto the alloy housing turns and partially blocks the oil circuit, we have cures for all the above and have a good success rate with these units,
Cheers
David
Automatics of Marion
Sth Australia