Differential service

[Adam T7]

You spends tens of thousands on a car and then query about spending tens of pounds on cleaning a filter that can potentially get blocked with particles of swarf - you do the maths.

[CookieMonsterGTi]

CookieMonster there is a lot of ignorance at main dealers about VAQdiff service schedule.

My understanding (from the VW workshop technical docs I have seen) is that fluid should be changed every 3 years.

I have heard that many main dealers are oblivious to this, so don’t expect VW to do it as part of routine service.

Nobody is advocating doing it prematurely. Just trying to stick to VW schedule.

Thanks

I wasn’t aware this would be something that could be overlooked.

[CookieMonsterGTi]

You spends tens of thousands on a car and then query about spending tens of pounds on cleaning a filter that can potentially get blocked with particles of swarf - you do the maths.

No needs to do the maths.


Just wondered why it needed to be done outside the standard schedule. After all how many folks would know to ask for this specifically?

[willni]

I got mine cleaned and fluid changed at my Indy. There was little to no crud in there. (Unlike the Haldex in the R)

Because the PP diff is activated much less frequently than the R, you’ll be fine just getting the fluid changed. It’s what I’ll be doing next time.

The consensus is the same among most PP users. Dead keen to do it properly the first time, and then realise the filter really doesn’t need cleaning.

Or why change the oil at all? The oil will not degrade with time.

All that constant metal/metal movement in an engine- and we change that oil every 10k miles.

These diffs engage once in a blue moon- on the rare occasion that the road ahead is clear.

I think even 30k miles is too soon ( but i'll probably do mine at 30k!)

I'd assume the diff would only really engage once it's in sport mode, the a-b journey to the shop for pringles isn't currently a section on Silverstone to really warrant it engaging.

It'd certainly be interesting to hear Borg Warner's advice on maintaining the unit, for now I'm just following the service schedule of every 3 years.

[Adam T7]

You spends tens of thousands on a car and then query about spending tens of pounds on cleaning a filter that can potentially get blocked with particles of swarf - you do the maths.

No needs to do the maths.


Just wondered why it needed to be done outside the standard schedule. After all how many folks would know to ask for this specifically?

I had a couple of Discos with, according to JLR, had ‘sealed for life’ Borg Warner auto boxes - Borg Warner however stated a fluid and flush at 100K Km - I had my D4 done slightly over that and the fluid was like sludge, so now I just ask respected independents and / or look at manufacturers websites. Apologies if I came across as rude, but the difference in price of a cleaning vs. not cleaning the filter is not huge for the peace of mind (even if it is a placebo)

[madstaff]

Trouble is, there's no mention in the VW repair manual of cleaning the haldex filter out.

So when you ask your local VW dealer about cleaning it out you'll probably be looked at as though your speaking some foreign language.

[P6GTD]

My dealer confirmed they do it at 4th service which is a “major” and my service plan would cover.

[clarky92]

My dealer confirmed they do it at 4th service which is a “major” and my service plan would cover.

That sounds like they maybe referring to the DSG fluid change which is at 40k / 4 years.

[TurboTrev]

I have an Edition 40 Clubsport and I'm just in the process of setting up the 2 year All-in warranty/service plan and I've been told that I must have a "Haldex Service" before VW will allow me to take it out.  My car is just coming up to 5 years old (it has a 5 year factory warranty) and it has never had this service done. 

Reading this thread, it seems that my car should have had this service at 3 years old - regardless of mileage (I have done less than 6,000 miles)?  Is that definitely correct?  Also, how much have people paid for this service?  Thanks.

[Adam T7]

I was told by a respected independent that its 36 months and the filter needs cleaning. I paid £95, as part of a full service and DSG fluid and filter change at the same time.