Anybody got a Jetta TDI?

[AaronW]

I ended up with a 2003 Jetta TDI. Anyone here ever changed the transmission fluid? It's got a sealed trans, apparently VW wants you to take it to a dealer any time you want to change the fluid. No thanks, and in any event, I'd have to drive 2 hrs to Boze-angeles, as the rural MT contingent calls it. I think it will be a pretty economical car, but I need to address the transmission issue, and changing fluid seems like the logical first step.

aaron

 

[Frankenchevy]

Any way to vacuum it through the dipstick…if there is one?

Edit: I think some “sealed for life” pans still have drain plugs.

 

[Vetal4]

I had a 2002 Jetta, not TDI, with the M code trans, it had a plug for checking the fluid on the pan, basically if fluid came out when you pulled the plug it was fine…..I dropped the pan to get rid of the old fluid and shot fresh fluid up through the hole when it was back on using a piece of Tygon and one of those automotive suction syringes, it’s been a while so I might be misremembering some details. Car lasted to about 240k, and didn’t die because of the transmission…which I understand for that one is doing pretty good, only changed the fluid that one time at about 150k

 

[Ricko1966]

I ended up with a 2003 Jetta TDI. Anyone here ever changed the transmission fluid? It's got a sealed trans, apparently VW wants you to take it to a dealer any time you want to change the fluid. No thanks, and in any event, I'd have to drive 2 hrs to Boze-angeles, as the rural MT contingent calls it. I think it will be a pretty economical car, but I need to address the transmission issue, and changing fluid seems like the logical first step.

aaron

Are you sure there are no drain and fill holes? Is there a drain hole and a removable speedometer drive? Differential vent any sensor up high you can remove? Is this automatic or manual? Audio did this same thing back in the 80s/90s then put out a bulletin where to drill and tap for drain and fill,not suggesting that,just figured after that they would have figured out no drain is a stupid Idea.

 

[AaronW]

There's a drain plug and fill hole, no dipstick. I just can't find the fill plug.

Its the 4 speed automatic trans.

That's a good idea about filling through a vent tube. I hadn't thought of that, and I think I know where a vent hose is, somebody stuck a random bolt in the end of it. So if I can find the drain plug, I could do that, even if I can't find the actual fill. VW says you have to check it at a specific temp range, and you're supposed to do it with some sort of external sensor gun, which was how they got away with no dipstick.

Aaron

 

[bluex]

I have a 2013, an a love/hate relationship with it. Everything that happens to it is a minimum of $500 an 2 weeks of it being down. It's a nice car an does decent on fuel but man it sucks to work on.

The DSG on it is sealed too, kinda takes some getting used to. I've had it checked 2 times because I thought it had issues. They think it's the flywheel now. I have been just taking it to a local shop because I haven't had time or any place to really do all that anymore

 

[Ricko1966]

Automatics usually do not have a drain plug or fill plug. You pull the transmission pan. While the pans off I'd add a drain plug to it so I could do periodic Spill and fills on it. If you think the level is right I'd catch and measure what came out I'd put that much back in plus an ounce. If you take the pan off depending on how the pan sits You may be able to add a second drain plug as a fill port,or maybe possible with the pan off to see where you can drill and tap the transmission for a fill port. I also would add a weep hole for checking transmission fluid. Nothing fancy just a small hole with a bolt and nylon washer to seal or a screw and rubber washer to seal it,depending on where your weep hole is located. Take the bolt/screw out,rock the car if nothing dribbles out add fluid.