2007/8 2.5 TDI multicom auto box issue

[BrianJ]

BrianJ is on the money blocked filter will kill the tranny , I still have my original filter with all the porous parts blocked . Now if I am not mistaken when there is no fluid passing through multiple moving parts there WILL be a disaster as friction will break down the bits and the filter is where they will find a new home . Sealed for Life was the bigest lie perpetrated on Aussie motorists .

Sunny43.5
I am suggesting that the opposite might be happening, the drum cracks first, creating a sharp edge on the face, and this strips the clutch material away which then blocks the filters and that destroys the whole box.

[Sunny43.5]

I would admit that it could be the case but when ours failed the trans shop said that it was the fault of the filter being gradually blocked as the fluid decayed gradually leading to clutch particles adding to the mess . Once the fluid loses its viscocity then you will get multiple parts that will start wearing . Problems with the valve bodies sticking were an issue as well , putting in new fluid would then flush out gunk and again it ends up in the filter .

[BrianJ]

One theory doesn't seem to fit all cases, and as you have said, a periodic filter inspection would reveal early that something needs attention or it will eventually kill the box.

[Sunny43.5]

As I have said if VW had a service schedule ours would not have failed , the cold attitude of the VW service advisor made me so mad about the stupidity of sealed for life .

[BrianJ]

Update: Now done 280,000km and the auto box has started behaving erratically when hot, ok when cold. So yesterday I took it to an auto shop at Geebung and he recommended having a new valve body installed. At this stage, that was a very costly solution, so I asked him to flush it with Liqui Moly flushing compound available from Repco or Supercheap, then change filters and inspect visually and check error codes. There was no significant error codes, but after flushing he removed the pan and found some metal fragments about 10mm long and a lot of material stuck to the magnets. When I drove home it worked well, but wasn't at full temperature, and this morning I am going back to have a tube of Liqui Moly restorer installed. So at the point of driving this box until it fails, might be tomorrow or in five years, who knows. As there is still no Australian replacement for the kombi beach, I will keep repairing it until it drops or I do.

[Transporter]

Update: Now done 280,000km and the auto box has started behaving erratically when hot, ok when cold. So yesterday I took it to an auto shop at Geebung and he recommended having a new valve body installed. At this stage, that was a very costly solution, so I asked him to flush it with Liqui Moly flushing compound available from Repco or Supercheap, then change filters and inspect visually and check error codes. There was no significant error codes, but after flushing he removed the pan and found some metal fragments about 10mm long and a lot of material stuck to the magnets. When I drove home it worked well, but wasn't at full temperature, and this morning I am going back to have a tube of Liqui Moly restorer installed. So at the point of driving this box until it fails, might be tomorrow or in five years, who knows. As there is still no Australian replacement for the kombi beach, I will keep repairing it until it drops or I do.

You’ve done well. The 280,000km is very good life out of the automatic transmission (any automatic). The +400,000km is what you expect the well maintained manual gearbox would last.

[Sunny43.5]

You’ve done well. The 280,000km is very good life out of the automatic transmission (any automatic). The +400,000km is what you expect the well maintained manual gearbox would last.

My old girl has just clocked over the 350000 kay mark manual 2litre petrol , I replaced the throw out bearing and the clutch around 5 years ago . Just recently the Dual Mass Fly Wheel has started to rattle on start up , so currently saving a couple of grand for the flywheel clutch and throwout and some sleeve parts all being done together . Last time I did it myself but did not know what the DMF was so it stayed there now due to a shoulder injury theres no way I could wrestle the box out from under the van so this time K& G are going to do it for me . The old girl doesnt really owe me anything these days and as the saying goes the better the devil you know so I will keep it until it dies .

[BrianJ]

You’ve done well. The 280,000km is very good life out of the automatic transmission (any automatic). The +400,000km is what you expect the well maintained manual gearbox would last.

I would like more life yet ! Had a quote for a new auto from Germany for $9500 not installed, so I still have options for the future. The recommended cure is a new or reconditioned valve body, after seeing some small bits of shrapnel in there I think i would just buy a complete new one.

I've been on a short run with the Liqui Moly restorer installed, (if only these things had a dip stick hole), and immediately it seemed quieter, and had smoother changes, but the most amazing thing is that the fuel flow computer seemed to be showing lower readings than I have ever seen before, for example 6L/100km at 80km/hr, usually that would be about 7-8. I have a suspicion that the internal friction of the gearbox has been significantly lowered. I am going on a 1000km trip next week, so I will have more definite figures after that.

Of course the filters could have been nearly blocked, but I think the shifting is also improved, that is something I will evaluated with more driving.

[BrianJ]

My old girl has just clocked over the 350000 kay mark manual 2litre petrol , I replaced the throw out bearing and the clutch around 5 years ago . Just recently the Dual Mass Fly Wheel has started to rattle on start up , so currently saving a couple of grand for the flywheel clutch and throwout and some sleeve parts all being done together . Last time I did it myself but did not know what the DMF was so it stayed there now due to a shoulder injury theres no way I could wrestle the box out from under the van so this time K& G are going to do it for me . The old girl doesnt really owe me anything these days and as the saying goes the better the devil you know so I will keep it until it dies .

Mine still uses no oil in 15000km, at 280,000km, and runs the same as the day I bought it. All I do is add a bit of diesel injector cleaner every few months and it runs like a well oiled sewing machine.

[Sunny43.5]

My personal belief here is the simpler the design the longer it lasts , my old girl in manual gearbox has never had an oil change [ it will be done when they do the DMF job ] engine wise this thing is as tough as nails only had two sets of plugs and leads in its life gets its oil changes when I remember but other than brake pads rotors etc and the important timing belt water pump every 100000 thats it . The newer models seem plagued with technology glitches ok ok I know people will decry me saying those technology things are for fuel economy but they dont always last as long as we expect . Back in the good old days an auto would take an absolute flogging from the hands of young people [ like me ! ] but they just kept going as they were easy to fix and could be serviced at any servo back then [change fluid tighten the bands ] At one time I removed the gearbox to replace a rear welch plug and put the box back in wrong [forgot to line up the drive dog ] result when you pulled up there was no fluid for drive from the torque converter until the revs came up , so until it was fixed you just kept some revs up so it would take off without a huge thump ah the good old days .