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DSG Measure-refill method

R

Rajini98

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Location
NC
My kit was delivered today and I'm probably going to tackle this over Thanksgiving weekend. I've been looking at DIY videos and threads for DSG fluid and it seems to be easy as long as you have all the right tools, which I do have.

The measure-refill method seems to have given many people success. I was hoping some people that have done this method could give any advice from issues they may have run into.

I'll be doing the top fill method as well so I'll know exactly how much fluid is going in. My question is, when doing measure refill, I'm assuming that it would be best to measure and refill the same volume of liquid once the two liquids are the same temperature, right? All the DIYs I've read don't mention that but I assume that it's a given.

If there is any doubt, I can always do the overflow method where I leave the plug open with the snorkel installed and drip until the correct temp window is reached. I just wanted to save this as a last resort since it's much more involved.
 
Nataraki

Nataraki

Ready to race!
Location
Bay Area, CA
Car(s)
'92 BMW 318i
If you have doubts, like you said do the overflow part. That way you know you did the right amount no more no less. Kinda like a validation, that's what i did.
 
B

BAMF

Ready to race!
Location
Jacksonville, FL
Personally, I've always done it according to the Bentley manual. With the complexity of the DSG transmission, the cost to replace it, and the fact that there's very little that can be done to repair it, I figure the extra time and effort is worth it. That said, if you are going to do the measure/refill method, I agree that you should measure the drained fluid at room temp. I don't really ever see this mentioned, but it is obviously important to account for the thermal expansion of the fluid if the factory method goes through warming the trans up to operating temp to get the correct fill amount.
 
R

Rajini98

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Location
NC
Yea, I'm feeling that's how I'm gonna have to do it. It's just starting to get cold and I've heard it takes a pretty long time at idle to get up to temperature. Too bad I waited this long. 35*C is 95*F which means I would be at temperature on a hot summer's day.

I'm also thinking that any leftover fluid I have, I'll do an experiment to see just how much of a difference temperature makes when it comes to expansion. If it makes little difference, that would be some really good news to those that want to DIY without vagcom
 
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ZiRiS

ZiRiS

Sergeant
Location
Dallas, TX
Car(s)
'09 BMP GTI
R

Rajini98

.
Location
NC
Done. Seriously, the hardest part of the procedure was hovering over the engine bay while fluid dripped in at about 3mL per second. That and tool cleanup.

If you have access to a lift, there's no reason not to do this procedure on your own. I did it with a jack and four stands taking my time in just 4 hours with an oil change and tire rotation
 
zrickety

zrickety

The Fixer
Location
Unknown
Car(s)
VW GTI
Less time than that on my buddy's mk6. New fluid goes into until it starts to pour out, reassemble, job done.
 
golfballer78

golfballer78

Ready to race!
Location
southbay CA.
Car(s)
08' R32 dsg
I did the measure refill a few months ago. it pours in really slow from the top where the filter case sits. There is a funnel you can even get at walmart with a tube connection that fits the hole perfectly, and a valve on the funnel that meters in the fluid by opening /closing so the stuff shouldn't overflow back out onto the ground. I remember it taking near an hour to fill this way, but you don't wanna waste fluid.
 
N

Nitrorea

Ready to race!
Location
St. Louis
Just my two sense and probably not the right forum but given the cost of the fluid itself, the complexity of the DSG transmission, the time it will take to do the change (top fill method), the interval change (40,000 miles) and the potential mess you will make it's worth an extra $150 to have the dealership or another reputable shop do the change.

I've been quoted $250-$300 for the change. I like to do many projects myself and save money anywhere I can but I'm not skimping on this project. I justify it by saving money on oil and plug changes.
 
R

Rajini98

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Location
NC
Elwood said:
That's 2¢.

I understand your hesitation, but the only advantage you have going to a dealer is that if they screw it up, you can take it back. Half those guys are hacks and I'd rather do it myself than trust those guys to do a good job.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt trust the dealer in my area to rotate my tires let alone do the DSG fluid. Their parts department guy didnt know what coil packs were.
 
zrickety

zrickety

The Fixer
Location
Unknown
Car(s)
VW GTI
The dealership is run by monkeys. Finding a good tech is like winning the lottery.
 
golfballer78

golfballer78

Ready to race!
Location
southbay CA.
Car(s)
08' R32 dsg
Elwood said:
That's 2¢.

I understand your hesitation, but the only advantage you have going to a dealer is that if they screw it up, you can take it back. Half those guys are hacks and I'd rather do it myself than trust those guys to do a good job.
Click to expand...

yep, and many dealer (some independent) techs are paid flat rate. tough to guarantee accuracy when you're worried about being fucked outta time. many of the under 25 year olds they hired in my shop (with little experience and could pay 10 an hr flat rate) costs company money when they screw up oil changes. doing the fill yourself is not that tough, just be careful,devote time, don't spill. It was said in a diy the factory tool they attach at the bottom hole wastes some fluid and doesn't fully refill it in some cases, but shows how to do that method as well.
 
N

Nitrorea

Ready to race!
Location
St. Louis
Elwood said:
I understand your hesitation, but the only advantage you have going to a dealer is that if they screw it up, you can take it back. Half those guys are hacks and I'd rather do it myself than trust those guys to do a good job.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty big advantage though isn't it?

I understand what you are saying and I guess each has to make their own decision based on many factors.
 
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