Oil Leak around DSG (DQ200) - 2013 Golf 103 TSI

[M3SJ03]

Hello everyone!

New-to-me 2013 Golf 103 TSI bought as a run-around a week ago. One owner car with 58K on the clock.

The first thing I did was check on any re-calls overdue, car has been booked in for two outstanding recalls on the 24th Oct.

35E5 - Pressure accumulator housing

34N1 - selector cover trim

Did an oil change over the weekend and noticed an accumulation of oil around the DSG/Mechatroincs unit. (see link for photos here: https://imgur.com/a/XPbLgia)


Based on some reading am I right in assuming that the oil seeping is related to re-call 35E5 where the oil leaks from the accumulator housing?

I'm trying to get the booking moved forward.

If not, what else could cause this at 58K kms?

Cheers

[Lucas_R]

Hi and welcome. The accumulator you mention is inside the gearbox, so its not the cause of your oil leak. The likely culprit is the gasket underneath that black metal cover which covers the mechatronics (which is the brain that controls the DSG operation).

In the first instance I would check all the bolts holding that cover on are tight, then use brake clean or degreaser to clean off the oil and check in 1000km to see how the leak looks.

[M3SJ03]

Hi and welcome. The accumulator you mention is inside the gearbox, so its not the cause of your oil leak. The likely culprit is the gasket underneath that black metal cover which covers the mechatronics (which is the brain that controls the DSG operation).

In the first instance I would check all the bolts holding that cover on are tight, then use brake clean or degreaser to clean off the oil and check in 1000km to see how the leak looks.

Thank you mate. To be honest with you, I was going to attempt to tighten the bolts, however didn't want it to look like it was tampered with before taking it to VW.

I cleaned the area before putting the undertray back on. I've been able to move the service date forward to Thursday this week so will have VW perform the recall on the accumulator and have noted the leak.

If it turns out to be the gasket, is it much of a job to replace? I am OK with wrenching however haven't tampered with a DSG/mechatornics before. Also suprising at such low mileage!

[Lucas_R]

Im fairly certain that they will have to remove that metal plate to get to the accumulator anyway, so with some luck they will fix the leak when the recall is done. Otherwise, you may as well get them to put in a new gasket while its there to save you having to come back again at a later date.

It does not look like a bad leak, so just leave it until your appointment. Perhaps show them the photos you took showing the leak before you cleaned it up.

[tomphan1001]

Hi M3SJ03,
Make sure to check for any oil leaks after the recall is done. Also a pressure check after 1 or 2 months to know if the pressure accumulator issue is properly fixed.
I made a mistake by not checking it properly after my recall done, and I only noticed the mechatronic oil leak and pressure problems after moving to another state and trying to get RWC (oil leak caused a failed test).
I also tried my luck to get a different VW dealership to look at it but they refused it (or out of my pocket once they pull it apart). Only if I revisit the first VW dealership but it is like 2000kms away. I will have to pay a new gasket and maybe a new accumulator.
Sorry for my bad English 😅 good luck with your VW
Tom

[M3SJ03]

Thanks Lucas_R; thats the approach I'll take, will let you know of the outcome.

tomphan1001, thank you for the heads up! How are you checking the pressure logs? Plug in scanner?

I'll be sure to monitor it once it's been fixed.

The gearbox shifts OK currently, apart from the annoying characteristic where it immediately shifts into 2nd while you're still creeping forward putting some load on.

[Lucas_R]

The gearbox shifts OK currently, apart from the annoying characteristic where it immediately shifts into 2nd while you're still creeping forward putting some load on.

This is due to the software that controls the gearbox which makes it change gears far too soon. Its quite silly actually and makes the engine labour and ping which is not good. Best (no cost option) thing you can do is put the gearbox into manual mode and change gears yourself and that way you can let the engine rev to a more normal level before changing gears (say 2000-2500rpm). Otherwise you can pay to save aftermarket software put onto the car which will make the gearbox change gears at a far more sensible time.

[Hillbilly]

Just a thought but if it has sport mode try that as what it does is change shift point to a higher rev setting. Havent used it much as i m around town mostly. Dunno but just throwing it in the mix

[M3SJ03]

Just got the car back from the dealership. Disappointed with the outcome to be honest, they did not replace the pressure accumulator as they deemed it not being faulty in it's current state. I thought the whole point of the recall was to replace a part that VW admitted had a production defect to avoid a potential issue. Since when did recall = inspection?

I explained this to the dealership and they still refused. Attached is a screenshot of the work summary: https://imgur.com/YncHMxU

I'm thinking to take this further with head office or the ACCC as I've read about this issue being a common occurence and think it's unfair if I have to fork out a bill later down the track when VW says they've already completed a "recall"

As for the oil leak itself the technician didn't think it was a major issue and to my suprise I can't see that they replaced any gaskets when removing the cover to check the accumulator itself.

Thoughts?