2008 transporter

[gfh]

looking at purchasing a 2008 transporter 2.5 diesel auto. Are there any issues with the auto trans that I need to be wary of? has 90000ks.

[Tornado T5]

Put it this way, even a dealer salesman said it's the first thing they check out when evaluating a trade-in. Mine was changed under warranty at 68,000km (iirc) mind you its been fine since and I'm now at 170,0000km and do regular towing of loads up to 1500kg. Best bet is to do a forum search as there has been many posts just on this topic. The original service schedules for these vans didn't state any oil change for the auto's at all, "sealed for life" was the phrase which really means sealed until warranty ends (my interpretation). And because servicing wasn't considered in the early days trouble can arise later. Maybe seek out some quotes on auto servicing from a dealer and also a knowledgeable independent workshop to get an idea of what might be involved and the costs. Best driving van imho, and smoother then the new DSG T5gp's.

[Sunny43.5]

As a victim of VW's Sealed for life tranny the T5 Tiptronic whatever you do not let a dealer do a service as VW tell them not to "unseal" the box result they will drain the fluid from a bolt hole and refill it from another and it will just make the auto worse . You see there is an internal filter or "strainer " as VW describe it if this is not changed and it will have built up some debris across the filter fabric . The new fluid will make it ten times worse as the clean fluid mixes with the sludge and then your $50 litre fluid is instantly degraded and it flushes more particles out of the components and blocks the filter . It is then only a short time before you will have a destroyed auto as I found out . Apparently independent mechanics will do the service properly and "will" remove the sump replace the filter and clean the metal magnets in the bottom . I just wish I had known this before VW left me in the lurch to the tune of $11000 for a rebuild , and as Transporter said , the dealers know the autos can be a problem and will crucify your hopes of a decent trade in valuation ie our 2004 T5 2.5 turbo diesel one owner full service 135000 kays and I was offered between $4000 and $8000 as a trade in , and even after I showed the valuer the invoice for the rebuild his infamous words still ring in my ears Quote "I would not trust it " Oh by the way Highway VW in Brissie charged me $650 for the privilege of changing the fluid and applying a software update and the whole thing failed 5 kilometres from the dealer same day , and refused to accept any responsibility . Howard PS filter is $45 gasket $15 fluid $50 a litre .

[Transporter]

I would void the T5 auto as a second hand vehicle, If you ask me.

Sent from my GT-N8000

[IN2VWS]

I would void the T5 auto as a second hand vehicle, If you ask me.

Sent from my GT-N8000

.........unless you factor a transmission rebuild into the purchase price.

[Sunny43.5]

I sort of have to agree with you IN2VWS and Transporter . I have not been backwards in my hatred of the way VW have dealt with my problem . But again if the auto is working all okay the best service you can get is as described REMOVE the sump and clean it out replace filter etc it will go a huge way of preventing a problem like I had . There is a post on Watercooled with photos and directions on how to do a fluid change [wish I had seen it before ours carked itself ]

[Rebuild]

Check if its had a gearbox service(not just fluid, but a filter as well), look for receipts, unless you're willing to take a chance and get it serviced once bought.
Check for flaring between 2-3 and 3-4 change, on very light throttle.Also thumps on downchange coming to a stop.

"sealed for life" is VW BS

My auto DIY partial fluid and filter change.I did my first service at 75K
Note: Penrite no longer recommend DX-VI for T5
how to change T5 Auto Gearbox Oil - The Brick-yard

I have had a few flare type issues earlier, maybe only 2 or 3 times since 06 when i bought it(ie very rare), but has been fine since a trans TCM reset.See here
T5 FAQ and How to THREAD (up to August 2009).

132K on it now

[Sunny43.5]

Thanks for finding those ones Rebuild I knew they were on the Forum somewhere , as a matter of interest it was not until the very end ours started to flare , it did have an irregular thump down changing and up changing between 4th and 5th , then some days it would be smooth as a babies bum , there were other instances of the van going into "limp " mode and also an occasional shudder when accelerating up a steep hill .

[Rebuild]

gfh,
have a read here if you're interested, various stuff i have found.
VWVortex.com - Automatic Transmission Forum
They don't have T5's in USA
Our T5 tiptronic(model 09K for my '04) is similar to their 09G(only rated for 250Nm for Jetta and Passat), AFAIK
eg
VWVortex.com - My experience with the 09G Transmission......

[Tornado T5]

As a victim of VW's Sealed for life tranny the T5 Tiptronic whatever you do not let a dealer do a service as VW tell them not to "unseal" the box result they will drain the fluid from a bolt hole and refill it from another and it will just make the auto worse . You see there is an internal filter or "strainer " as VW describe it if this is not changed and it will have built up some debris across the filter fabric . The new fluid will make it ten times worse as the clean fluid mixes with the sludge and then your $50 litre fluid is instantly degraded and it flushes more particles out of the components and blocks the filter . It is then only a short time before you will have a destroyed auto as I found out . Apparently independent mechanics will do the service properly and "will" remove the sump replace the filter and clean the metal magnets in the bottom . I just wish I had known this before VW left me in the lurch to the tune of $11000 for a rebuild , and as Transporter said , the dealers know the autos can be a problem and will crucify your hopes of a decent trade in valuation ie our 2004 T5 2.5 turbo diesel one owner full service 135000 kays and I was offered between $4000 and $8000 as a trade in , and even after I showed the valuer the invoice for the rebuild his infamous words still ring in my ears Quote "I would not trust it " Oh by the way Highway VW in Brissie charged me $650 for the privilege of changing the fluid and applying a software update and the whole thing failed 5 kilometres from the dealer same day , and refused to accept any responsibility . Howard PS filter is $45 gasket $15 fluid $50 a litre .

Just to be fair, when I discuss servicing the auto with my VW dealer (Burwin) they mention they need prior notice to make sure the "service kit" is in stock so I would suggest that not all dealers just do an oil drain.