Cincy
12-29-2008, 09:39 PM
What you will need:
-VW/Audi Transmission Drain Plug Tool (available from germanautoparts.com, ecstuning.com, mjmautohaus.com, etc)
-Three bottles of transmission fluid, either OEM VW fluid, or an approved non-OEM fluid such as Redline MT-90 like I used
-1/2" drive ratchet for drain plug tool
-Fluid Pump (well under $10 at an auto parts store)
-Proper jack stands, or a lift if you have access to one.
-A bunch of rags
-Torx bits if you have the stock plastic belly pan, socket set if you have a skidplate.
First, jack up your car and support it with at least two jack stands on a flat surface. Make sure it is sturdy.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/004-4.jpg
Next, locate your drain and fill plugs. There seems to be much confusion when doing this. To clarify, the drain plug is on the BOTTOM of the transmission, and the fill plug is on the FRONT (facing radiator) of the transmission. Also, the only things you need to remove to access them are either a skidplate, or the stock plastic belly pan/skidplate type thingy, which is held on with torx screws.
In this picture, I tried to show both plugs. The camera is on the ground angled up.
About halfway up in the picture, slightly to the right of center, is the fill plug. Notice the star pattern which fits the drain plug tool. More in the center, and down toward the bottom of the picture is the drain plug.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/016-5.jpg
Here is a picture of my drain plug tool for reference:
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/012-3.jpg
First, open the drain plug and let it drain out into a clean container. Let it drain for a while until it completely stops.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/015-4.jpg
Reinstall and tighten your drain plug (no need to crank it down like a caveman, reasonably tight will do), and open the fill plug.
As you can see, there is a line very close to it, so take your time and be careful not to put pressure on it.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/013-4.jpg
This is where you will use your fluid pump.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/020-2.jpg
They typically screw onto the top of the bottle you are pumping from, but mine didnt quite go on right because of the design of the Redline bottles. It worked fine though.
Pump the fluid into the transmission. Be patient because this will take a while, dont get discouraged.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/023-2.jpg
The transmission will take a little less than 3 bottles. The exact amount depends on how much fluid was drained out of the transmission initially, where as with engine oil there is bound to be a little left in there.
You will know your done when fluid starts to leak back out of the transmission when you pump it in. You will start to see a little stream coming out of the plug as you pump fluid in. When you first see this, stop pumping for a moment and let it completely stop, and try pumping again to make sure. You will see why it is important to keep rags handy.
-VW/Audi Transmission Drain Plug Tool (available from germanautoparts.com, ecstuning.com, mjmautohaus.com, etc)
-Three bottles of transmission fluid, either OEM VW fluid, or an approved non-OEM fluid such as Redline MT-90 like I used
-1/2" drive ratchet for drain plug tool
-Fluid Pump (well under $10 at an auto parts store)
-Proper jack stands, or a lift if you have access to one.
-A bunch of rags
-Torx bits if you have the stock plastic belly pan, socket set if you have a skidplate.
First, jack up your car and support it with at least two jack stands on a flat surface. Make sure it is sturdy.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/004-4.jpg
Next, locate your drain and fill plugs. There seems to be much confusion when doing this. To clarify, the drain plug is on the BOTTOM of the transmission, and the fill plug is on the FRONT (facing radiator) of the transmission. Also, the only things you need to remove to access them are either a skidplate, or the stock plastic belly pan/skidplate type thingy, which is held on with torx screws.
In this picture, I tried to show both plugs. The camera is on the ground angled up.
About halfway up in the picture, slightly to the right of center, is the fill plug. Notice the star pattern which fits the drain plug tool. More in the center, and down toward the bottom of the picture is the drain plug.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/016-5.jpg
Here is a picture of my drain plug tool for reference:
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/012-3.jpg
First, open the drain plug and let it drain out into a clean container. Let it drain for a while until it completely stops.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/015-4.jpg
Reinstall and tighten your drain plug (no need to crank it down like a caveman, reasonably tight will do), and open the fill plug.
As you can see, there is a line very close to it, so take your time and be careful not to put pressure on it.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/013-4.jpg
This is where you will use your fluid pump.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/020-2.jpg
They typically screw onto the top of the bottle you are pumping from, but mine didnt quite go on right because of the design of the Redline bottles. It worked fine though.
Pump the fluid into the transmission. Be patient because this will take a while, dont get discouraged.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm221/ApexCantare/023-2.jpg
The transmission will take a little less than 3 bottles. The exact amount depends on how much fluid was drained out of the transmission initially, where as with engine oil there is bound to be a little left in there.
You will know your done when fluid starts to leak back out of the transmission when you pump it in. You will start to see a little stream coming out of the plug as you pump fluid in. When you first see this, stop pumping for a moment and let it completely stop, and try pumping again to make sure. You will see why it is important to keep rags handy.