Volkswagen Passat (2001 - 2005) - 01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change

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Mon 21 Jul 2008 17:19
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - quizman
I would like to change the gearbox oil on my Passat. I have bought some Redline MT-90 oil from Opie Oils. It is 75W-90 GL4, so I think it is suitable.

Please can anyone tell me where the drain plug is, or if there is a drain plug. Or should the old oil be sucked out? It does not say anything about drain plugs in my Haynes manual.
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Mon 21 Jul 2008 17:45
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - George Porge
Auto / manual? 5 or 6 speed?

Vag gearboxes are troublesome enough engaging second gear in cold winter weather, I'd be very carefull which oils you use.

VAG have a special brew for 6 speed gearboxes with second gear selection problems, it might be worth you speaking to their service dept for advice
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Mon 21 Jul 2008 18:17
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - 659FBE
The drain plug is, surprisingly at the bottom of the box. It's a large security Torx to discourage inadvertant draining by the rapid fit brigade - who can then concentrate whatever intelligence they may have on filling the engine with the incorrect oil.

Use only the recommended VAG lubricant for the box you have - no American snake oil in here. Second gear synchromesh just doesn't work on these boxes when the oil is cold.

659.
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Mon 21 Jul 2008 18:32
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - quizman
Thanks for the replies. The box is a 5 speed manual,

Opie recommend the MT-90, amongst others, FBE you have me worried. The VW oil is full synthetic 75W-90 GL4 like the Redline stuff. What will happen if I use the Redline which I have bought at great expence?

I expected the drain plug to be at the bottom of the gearbox! I did not know it was a torx nut, thanks for the info.
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Mon 21 Jul 2008 19:32
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - 659FBE
I have no idea what will happen if you use lubricants other than those meeting the gearbox maker's specification. The testing and issuing of such specifications is a part of what I pay for when I hand my money over to the manufacturer.

Testing gearboxes is not a trivial pursuit - I used to do it sometimes for a living. I would need a very good reason indeed to even consider departing from the maker's spec.

659.
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Mon 21 Jul 2008 23:07
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - TurboD
But why change the oil?, is it specified in service manual to change at this point? are you trying to cure some problem?, in which case , usually, it is a waste of money.
The original oil has a very long life in gearboxes. But you may have covered a very high mileage.
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Tue 22 Jul 2008 17:16
01 1.9TDI Gearbox oil change - quizman
The car is 7 years old, but fairly low milage. The gearbox works perfectly OK and I know that you do not have to change the oil.

But, I thought it would be a good idea to change the oil. I am not so sure now!

I wonder who makes VW gearbox oil?
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