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PDK fluid DIY

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98K views 167 replies 57 participants last post by  VAGfan  
#1 ·
So I am approaching 80K. Time for another PDK fluid change. Dealer did the last one.

I am going to try to do this myself over the next couple weeks, so here is what I have learned so far

1 - car has to be level
2 - you don't need to drop the pan
3 - here is the service kit - https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK95BTRANS.html
notice there is only a filter, not a pan
4 - you need to be able to watch the trans temp
I have the NT510 which has that capability
5 - the filter housing is external to the transmission
per the repair manual I bought
this goes along with that small filter in the pic of the service kit

Plan is to drain fluid, change filter, add 6 quarts, then go through the top up procedure which requires the trans temp to be between 30 and 50 degrees celcius

Any input before I F something up?
 
#106 ·
Just did the PDK oil change - I didn't measure what came out but I put in about 4.4 liters cold, started the car, let it run for about a minute and checked the iCarsoft - temp at 39 celsius. attempted to put more oil in 2 more times and but oil was coming out of the fill hole - temp right around 40 celsius both times too. The odd part its, I only got out about 4.7 - 4.8 liters in the PDK total...I see that others got around that much in too - but I didn't measure what came out of the PDK...

Took it for a test drive on US-1 with my soon to be fiancé and all appeared to be normal, she agreed too - shifts a little smoother now too. I do have an interesting clunk that I might not have been aware of before but, when going from park, to reverse and my foot on the brake I'd hear a clunk...but that might've been there beforehand.

All in all, the crazy quote from the dealer of $2,300 for the oil change was crazy and I'm happy I got it done for $250. Hope others attempt it too!
 
#108 ·
Just did the PDK oil change - I didn't measure what came out but I put in about 4.4 liters cold, started the car, let it run for about a minute and checked the iCarsoft - temp at 39 celsius. attempted to put more oil in 2 more times and but oil was coming out of the fill hole - temp right around 40 celsius both times too. The odd part its, I only got out about 4.7 - 4.8 liters in the PDK total...I see that others got around that much in too - but I didn't measure what came out of the PDK...

Took it for a test drive on US-1 with my soon to be fiancé and all appeared to be normal, she agreed too - shifts a little smoother now too. I do have an interesting clunk that I might not have been aware of before but, when going from park, to reverse and my foot on the brake I'd hear a clunk...but that might've been there beforehand.

All in all, the crazy quote from the dealer of $2,300 for the oil change was crazy and I'm happy I got it done for $250. Hope others attempt it too!
Jeez, your dealer is a true stealer. My local dealer charges $960 and Indy charges $650-700 for the PDK fluid change.
 
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#110 ·
Changing the internal filter has quite a bit of additional labor. The transmission fluid pan needs to be taken out and reassembled.
 
#112 ·
I have a dumb question - do you need all 4 wheels off the ground (on jack stands) so they can spin to do this job? I can easily drive my car up wood rails in my garage to lift it off the ground while being level (like I do when changing the oil). Once up in the air and level I could drain and refill the PDK fluid, start it, run up to temperature, shift from park, reverse and drive, then recheck the level. What I can't do is spin the tires. To do that I'd have to acquire some more jack stands. Is this good enough?
 
#114 ·
Looking to get some confirmation from the people who has done the PDK fluid change. Indy shops are asking for 750 for just a fluid change.

I have a macan S going to reach 40k miles. Planning to have the PDK fluid changed myself. I do have the icarsoft Por II device.

Question
1) For fluid refill, the porsche tech video (Ref 1) did not cycle the gears during the first refill. He left it at P and never cycled the gears. However the second video (ref 2) looks like he cycled his gears in the first fill. Do we need to cycle the gears during first refill ?

2) Does the car need to be cold during the fluid removal or at operating temperature ?

3) Has anybody removed/refill more than 5 quarts ?

Thanks


Ref 1 - Porsche tech -

Ref 2 -
 
#122 ·
How many qts of old fluid did you drain out?
 
#127 ·
Thanks. Here is what I did. I managed to get 4.8ish quarts in there so I think I'm ok. I'll keep in mind the engine on method next time around:

1) Engine off: Drain oil and change filters.
2) Engine off: Refill till it comes out of fill hole.
2.5a) Engine on, at idle, in P for 30 sec
2.5b) Engine off: Refill till it comes out of fill hole.

3a) Engine on, at idle, foot firmly on brake: cycle through P, R, N, D.
3b) Engine off: Refill till it comes out of fill hole.
4) Engine on, at idle, in P, top off fluid till it comes out of hole, monitor the fluid temp.
5) Engine on, at idle, as the temperature rises, a little more fluid will come out of fill hole.
6) When fluid temp is between 30C and 50C, install the fill plug.
6b) Engine off: Refill till it comes out of fill hole. Install the fill plug
7) Engine off, done.



I used LiquiMoly 8100 from FCP Euro on my 2018 Macan base. Shifts are smooth.
 
#125 ·
I just did the PDK fluid change this past weekend thanks to this thread with the car up on 4 rhino ramps.

Question: Does the final fill need to be done with the car running?

Referring to the step where the transmission oil is brought up to the correct temperature (30-50C). I cycled through the gears, turned the car off, and then filled it for the final time. Reading through the thread and videos again, I'm not sure if that was correct? Was the car supposed to be running or not? In my case since it was not, would it have made that much of a difference?
 
#126 · (Edited)
Car is supposed to be running when you do the final fill/level check, with the fluid between 30C and 50C, otherwise it will be underfilled. (more fluid will drain out with the engine not running).

Car must be level !
1) Engine off: Drain and change filters.
2) Engine off: Refill till it comes out of fill hole.
3) Engine on, at idle, foot firmly on brake: cycle through P, R, N, D.
4) Engine on, at idle, in P, top off fluid till it comes out of hole, monitor the fluid temp.
5) Engine on, at idle, as the temperature rises, a little more fluid will come out of fill hole.
6) When fluid temp is between 30C and 50C, install the fill plug.
7) Engine off, done.
 
#128 ·
Ok, the suncoast parts kit has the oil, o ring, and external filter.
The FCP Euro site has all of that PLUS a black internal filter, pan gasket, and all new pan bolts.
Nowhere does it talk about changing the internal filter.
Any ideas? I am leaning towards the FCP total kit since it is what my dealer said...they told me they remove pan, andreplace gasket. No mention again of the internal filter.

 
#129 ·
@Santirx posted a DIY showing internal suction filter replacement. Yes, drop the pdk pan and replace the internal filter.

 
#130 ·
Always change the internal mesh filter. Also you will be surprised how much more fluid comes out once you remove the pan. The more fluid one removes during the change the better. Clean off the magnets etc also It is good bonding time. While you are at it, change the transfer case and the gearbox side of the transmission. It is good insurance.
 
#131 ·
It's soon time for my PDK Fluid Flush and fill. There are many fluid options: OEM, Pentosin, Motul, Liquid Moly, magic unicorn tears, etc.

In Canada my local dealer wants $60/qt for OE fluid. I've found that the Macan actually takes an OEM VW/Audi fluid G 052 529 A2.

This OE fluid is likely relabelled Pentosin FFL-4 (which is very hard to find in Canada).

However, Liqui Moly 8100 claims to be equivalent for much cheaper.

Does anyone have any experience? I'm no longer under warranty and leaning towards just buying the OEM fluid, but also don't like burning $$ if they're all similar. I don't mind using M1 0W40 or Pennzoil Euro engine oil so long as it meets the OE A40 specification...

Last question - every site recommends 7 litres for flush and fill, but most DIYers have said they've used 4.5 to 5 litres when they didn't drop the pan.
 
#134 ·
I have liqui moly 8100 in my 2018 Macan s, it’s works. When in sport mode I find it shifts harder though which I don’t like. And it doesn’t specifically say g 052529-a2, it only says g052529 another thing I’m wondering about. But Next clutch fluid change I will be looking into Ravenol, or just sucking it up and going with pentosin.