Golf 5 1.9TDI, 2004: Transmission fluid change GQQ / 0A4 [Solved]

Hello everyone,

I already posted this topic in another forum, but unfortunately, I haven't received any feedback yet, so I'm trying here .

Since my transmission shifts a bit roughly, I wanted to change the transmission oil after almost 140,000 km to see if it improves.

I've now read through some "how-to" guides for other transmissions and also looked at the VW guide.

It was recommended to lift the front of the vehicle by approximately 20-25 cm, then drain the oil, and then either fill it through the filler opening or through the nozzle for the reversing light.

According to VW, the shift linkage must also be checked (no problem), and a bearing pin needs to be removed and then reinstalled. I don't understand the purpose of this bearing pin; what is it for? Can someone possibly explain this?

Since I've read about some people having problems refilling the oil after draining it (apparently, not enough was going back in), I'd like to know if anyone has ever changed the oil in this transmission before, and what the process was like.


Thank you and best regards!

EDIT by DBär: Solved! ...in the topic

Hi,

The GQQ is likely an early Golf 5 MQ250 transmission.
I'll follow along because I also want to refill the fluid in my 6-speed MQ250 (JYJ) transmission.

m;

Hello,

Typically, a fill and inspection plug is located on the side of the differential, next to the driveshaft flange.
The drain plug is located at the bottom of the differential (the lowest point). The screws (or rather, plugs) on VAG vehicles are opened with a relatively large Allen key.

It's probably not possible to completely remove the transmission fluid without disassembling the transmission, but it's also not necessary.
The transmission oil is a "lifetime fill" and does not need to be replaced. However, in my opinion, it can be replaced after 250,000 km. Whether it makes a difference or not is a matter of philosophical debate.

The oil should be drained immediately after a long drive and when the transmission is still warm.

If you experience issues like jerky shifting or transmission noises, replacing the oil can sometimes be a solution. It's rare, but sometimes the factory simply doesn't fill enough oil, as was the case with my old A3 8L. The slightly louder transmission noises prompted me to check the oil level, and I found that there was far too little. Fortunately, there was no damage.

If you experience jerky shifting, also check the cable linkages or the shift linkage, i.e., adjust or... Wear and tear, inadequate lubrication of joints, etc.

Good luck, Rainer.

Hello,

I will definitely start working on the whole thing this Saturday, and then I will simply report on how it went .


Best regards!

Hello.

Okay, the change has been made.

Procedure:
The front of the car is raised approximately 20 cm.
I then disassembled the fan housing and used the side lever to operate the switch.
fixed.
The oil was drained through the drain plug (17mm Allen key), and approximately...
1000ml off.
Approximately 500ml of fluid then came out from around the axle shaft (40 Torx).
Tighten the drain plug to 30 Nm, tighten the bearing cap to 25 Nm (O-ring must be replaced).
Together, it was only about 1500ml, which I think is a bit too little.

After that, I released the fixing mechanism of the shift unit and engaged fourth gear in order to...
It's better to use an adjustable wrench to access the reverse light relay.
After disassembly, I was able to easily fill it with 1800ml using a hose and funnel.
I probably would have added more, but I stopped at that point.
The process takes a relatively long time (~15 minutes) due to the 10x magnification.

Reversed light switch reinstalled (20Nm), fan housing reattached.

My first impression:
The transmission definitely shifts better than before.

It really seemed like there wasn't enough oil in there, but it also struck me as odd that I was able to easily add so much oil, as I often read that some people had trouble adding even a liter.
And no, the transmission is not leaking .

I hope this post helps you, even without any pictures .

Best regards,
Joschi.

Quote:

I hope this post helps you, even without any pictures icon_smile.gif

Thank you for the feedback .

It would be great if you could also tell us which oil and brand were used.

Hi,
...but what did I forget to mention:-)

I opted out of the organization. VW oil, decisively, and after some...
Decided to use Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90.
According to VW, 1.7 liters should be added during a change.
But, as described above, I had already reached 1.8 liters when I stopped.

Best regards,
Joschi.

Hi Joschi!

First of all, I'd like to know where you got your information about the procedure for changing the transmission fluid.
The information about the 1.7L filling capacity is also incorrect - according to my documents, it is 1.9L .

Because an official regulation stating "raise the front by 20cm" or something similar would be new to me...
Please obtain the relevant repair manual – specific to your car! – and double-check that.
If necessary, then do it exactly like this again, and not like XYZ thinks it might have been correct at some point.

It is extremely important not to overfill the gearbox!!!
In this case, less is often more, as the wear increases significantly due to the mechanical pressures generated when overfilling, thus achieving the opposite of the desired result.
Generally, the oil level is determined by checking through a fill/inspection plug (usually a 17mm Allen key). If oil leaks out, it is definitely too much. Some transmissions (according to the owner's manual!!!) should be filled to a level that is 0.5 or 1 cm BELOW this fill/inspection opening. It's already overcrowded here, even up to the top.

Best regards from Munich!

Hi Dieselbear,

It's impossible to check or top up the oil level in my Golf's transmission through the filler opening, as the transmission is tilted forward by approximately 15 degrees.
It's also stated in the original documents. VW Repair.
To check the oil level, it must always be completely drained and refilled (according to the VW instructions, using this taillight switch). If you open the inlet opening first, you can expect an oil shower, as the fill level is above the opening due to the angle .

According to this Volkswagen manual, the fill volume is 1.9 liters when completely disassembled, and 1.7 liters when only draining and refilling, or partially disassembled.

I got the tip to slightly lift the front of the car beforehand, so that the transmission sits more or less horizontally, from online forums and also from an acquaintance who works at a VW workshop.
In the version where the vehicle is not lifted, approximately 1.7 liters of oil should drain out, provided the oil level was correct.
By using the trick of lifting the front of the car slightly, about 1.8L (I got the information about the 1.8L lift from a friend).

Only 1.5 liters came out (and I let the transmission drain patiently for almost an hour), so I have to assume that about 300 ml were missing.


P.S. Are you allowed to attach excerpts from these VW repair manuals to posts here?

Evening, Joschi!

Do you have a PM?

Best regards from Munich!

PS: No, that's awful!

Hello Dieselbear,

Do you also have a private message?

Quote:

P.S. Is it allowed to attach excerpts from these VW repair manuals to posts here?

No, that's not possible.

Basically, everything important has already been discussed. Before this topic turns into an endless discussion about something as trivial as a half-pint glass of transmission fluid, I'm going to close this thread.

It goes without saying that the relevant filling regulations must be observed, and this information can be found in a "good" repair manual.

Good evening, everyone!

No, the topic isn't completely finished yet, because I need to make some corrections after reviewing the documents *cough*.

With this gearbox combination, specifically the "0A4A" type (gearbox codes: e.g., FNE, GQQ, HGN, JCR, ...), it is indeed the case that the filling and... Do not open the adjustment screw!
Reason: The official fill level is above this screw.
Procedure: As described by Joschi, the transmission oil is drained through the drain plug, and in addition, the shift shaft cover is removed.
The spilled amount should be collected in a verschandeln container and measured, with the measurement resulting in exactly 1.7 liters. Possibly, the amount needs to be adjusted now, and then re-calibrated using the removed reverse gear switch.
...those who want to switch naturally won't revert to the old broth.

For the 6-speed transmission, the equivalent procedure applies, but use 1.9L of fluid according to the instructions above.

Important here: The vehicle must generally be positioned horizontally!
Other information and procedures are therefore incorrect, such as... B. also here: /viewtopic.php?t=16838

And what can we learn from this?
Even a seemingly simple task like changing transmission fluid requires more knowledge than you might think.

Best regards from Munich!