A6 Trans fluid change not difficult
07-11-2012, 01:33 PM
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A6 Trans fluid change not difficult
Never could really find exactly what is involved in changing the filter and fluid in my searches so I hope this info helps other who are considering doing this. I found it is not any more difficult thatn any other transmissions. Here is how I did it:
1- Raise car (front and rear) so it is level
2-Loosen the 4 trans mount nuts (18mm) to where they are flush with ends of bolts
3-Remove drain plug and drain all that will come out.
4-A small 2x4 block turned on end will just fit between the transverse spring and crossmember allowing you to jack up trans at the finned part of the differential. This gives more room at the 3 bolts in back of pan.
5-Remove those 3 bolts that are hard to get to with 10mm wrench. Remove remaining bolts with 10mm socket and extension.
6-Drop pan and clean out, including magnet at plug. I reused factory gasket.
7-Pop out old filter by pulling down, wipe around gasket mating surface, pop in new filter. I reused retainer that was up in transmission.
8-Replace pan. Do not overtighten. Drop trans back down and tighten 4 nuts at mount.
9-Replace drain plug and pop out plastic fill cap (on right side just above pan). I wiggled it out...manual says you may need a pair of 90 degree pliers if tight.
10-Put 7 bottles of Dexron VI in pan of hot water so fluid will flow easily. Use a Quart Fluid Pump (got mine on Amazon) to pump into the fill hole.
11-The trick I used was to have the pan with the bottles, caps already loosened, close to me while I was on my back under the car. I kept the fill hose in the transmission and brought the bottles up to my chest, screwing the bottles onto the pump instead of pulling the hose out of the hole with each bottle change. This caused me to have hardly any dripping mess.
12-The fill went very quickly with the warm fluid. Took maybe a minute to empty each bottle. Not nearly as tedious and time-consuming as others have said. The trans needs about 6.5 quarts. Each bottle has a small amount left in it after pumping so you are actually putting in about 6-3/4 quarts.
13-Replace the fill hole cap and start engine. Run the tranny through the gears, stopping at each one for about 5 seconds. I did this several times as it was warming up.
14-Leave engine running and trans in park. When trans temp hits between 90-120 degrees, remove drain plug and drain till fluid starts to drip then replace plug. About 1/4 of a quart should come out. Do not do this if the temp is above or below this range. Warm up or cool down trans if needed.
15-Check for leaks, drop car and clean up your mess.
That's about it. Let me know if I forgot to mention something.
1- Raise car (front and rear) so it is level
2-Loosen the 4 trans mount nuts (18mm) to where they are flush with ends of bolts
3-Remove drain plug and drain all that will come out.
4-A small 2x4 block turned on end will just fit between the transverse spring and crossmember allowing you to jack up trans at the finned part of the differential. This gives more room at the 3 bolts in back of pan.
5-Remove those 3 bolts that are hard to get to with 10mm wrench. Remove remaining bolts with 10mm socket and extension.
6-Drop pan and clean out, including magnet at plug. I reused factory gasket.
7-Pop out old filter by pulling down, wipe around gasket mating surface, pop in new filter. I reused retainer that was up in transmission.
8-Replace pan. Do not overtighten. Drop trans back down and tighten 4 nuts at mount.
9-Replace drain plug and pop out plastic fill cap (on right side just above pan). I wiggled it out...manual says you may need a pair of 90 degree pliers if tight.
10-Put 7 bottles of Dexron VI in pan of hot water so fluid will flow easily. Use a Quart Fluid Pump (got mine on Amazon) to pump into the fill hole.
11-The trick I used was to have the pan with the bottles, caps already loosened, close to me while I was on my back under the car. I kept the fill hose in the transmission and brought the bottles up to my chest, screwing the bottles onto the pump instead of pulling the hose out of the hole with each bottle change. This caused me to have hardly any dripping mess.
12-The fill went very quickly with the warm fluid. Took maybe a minute to empty each bottle. Not nearly as tedious and time-consuming as others have said. The trans needs about 6.5 quarts. Each bottle has a small amount left in it after pumping so you are actually putting in about 6-3/4 quarts.
13-Replace the fill hole cap and start engine. Run the tranny through the gears, stopping at each one for about 5 seconds. I did this several times as it was warming up.
14-Leave engine running and trans in park. When trans temp hits between 90-120 degrees, remove drain plug and drain till fluid starts to drip then replace plug. About 1/4 of a quart should come out. Do not do this if the temp is above or below this range. Warm up or cool down trans if needed.
15-Check for leaks, drop car and clean up your mess.
That's about it. Let me know if I forgot to mention something.
Last edited by C6ToGo; 07-11-2012 at 01:41 PM.
07-11-2012, 05:31 PM
#3
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Great post. Upon researching this I was worried about a DYI project. My car was leaking at diff seals so while this was repaired under warranty I had the tranny serviced. Dealer charged $175....not as bad as I thought.
My sons VW GTI with dual clutch manual (computer shifted manual) cost $385.
My sons VW GTI with dual clutch manual (computer shifted manual) cost $385.
07-14-2012, 06:55 PM
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Great post. Upon researching this I was worried about a DYI project. My car was leaking at diff seals so while this was repaired under warranty I had the tranny serviced. Dealer charged $175....not as bad as I thought.
My sons VW GTI with dual clutch manual (computer shifted manual) cost $385.
My sons VW GTI with dual clutch manual (computer shifted manual) cost $385.
07-14-2012, 11:36 PM
#5
Safety Car
In step 14 wouldn't that be the plastic "fill" cap you are removing to let the 1/4 Qt. of trans fluid out?
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; 07-14-2012 at 11:38 PM.
07-15-2012, 05:20 AM
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The only difference I found was in step #10. In Phoenix in the summer we have to refrigerate the fluid instead of heating it.
Nice writeup.
07-15-2012, 12:26 PM
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Nothing comes out of the fill hole as it is up on the side of the tranny. The design of pan is why you pull the drain plug to get it to the correct level. You just have to remember to have the engine running or too much fluid will come out that is down in the pan instead of circulating while engine is running.
Last edited by C6ToGo; 07-15-2012 at 02:40 PM.
07-15-2012, 01:23 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Nothing comes out of the fill hole as it is up on the side of the tranny. The design of pan is why you pull the drain plug to get it to the correct level. You just have to remember to have the engine running or too much fluid will come out that is down in the pan instead of ciculating while engine is running.
07-16-2012, 11:07 PM
#13
Racer
Great post from C6ToGo. When I did mine I found it not necessary to do step #2. A 10MM open end did the job on those three aft bolts without disturbing the trans. Remove these bolts first and install them last. On step #8, quite sure it's 90 in/lbs for bolt torque. I got a little carried away and put a carpenters level in the door jam to ensure car was level while doing this job 
