Servicing and torque numbers

[Davstylee]

Hello guys

My 2005 GTI is due its service soon, it is at 83k miles at the moment and I believe at 85k the light will come on. However this year I also need to get the DSG oil and filter changed, and the cambelt and water pump too. Along with all that, the regular service, and brake fluid change, the tax and insurance are also due at around the same time. So it looks like it will be a pretty expensive couple of months for me.

To reduce costs I was looking to do the “easy” service stuff myself. I have access to trolley jacks, and axel stands, plus an engineer/mechanic for the British Army (thank your girlfriend’s brother), so I feel pretty confident he and I can tackle the oil change, spark plugs and possibly the brake fluid change ourselves.

A list of the things I have got, or will be buying is below. Have I missed anything off? Also does anyone know what torques the spark plugs and other nuts and bolts associated with an oil change, and brake fluid change need to be at, or where I can find the information?

Oil change:
Spanner/socket set to take off sump plug
Tool to remove oil filter
Oil (believe it is 5 ltrs, please let me know if I am wrong)
New oil filter
Do I need a gasket or replacement sump plug?

Spark plug change:
Spark plug socket
4 new spark plugs (thinking of changing the coil packs to the Audi R8 ones I have been hearing about, anyone got any experience with these?)
Torque wrench to get everything snugged back up (need to know what torque is needed)

Brake fluid change:
Spanner/socket for bleed nipple
Bleed hose
New 5.1 brake fluid

So can anyone spot anything I have missed, and also can someone please tell me what torque things need to be at please?

[th3_f15t]

Some tools you'll also need. Firstly, a VW oil filter draining tool:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-5161-Filter-Drain-Engines/dp/B005I4YBB2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428490813&sr=8-2&keywords=vw+oil+filter+tool

You'll also need a 32mm (I think) socket bit to undo the housing. You might as well fit a new sump plug, at the very least always replace the washer for the nut. Also, make sure you've got deep socket pieces specific for doing spark plugs, and a nice long extension bar.

Audi R8 coilpacks are only worth doing if you're going to up the power of your engine, and also you should team them up with good spark plugs, can't remember what the best ones are at the moment.

What about the pollen, air and fuel filters? Those are worth doing as well, easy enough to do as they take about 5-10 minutes each. Well, the air filter takes about 30 minutes as the engine cover is a pain to get off!

Lastly, you'll want to get this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Golf-Jetta-Service-Repair-Manual/dp/085733560X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1428491042&sr=8-2&keywords=haynes+manual+vw+golf

It has all the torque settings you need, plus correct gaps for plugs and thickness's for disc ect. It's your bible when it comes to home mechanics. Plus it goes through how to change each item for a service specificity for the 2.0 TFSI engine which is a bonus.

[Davstylee]

Awesome info thanks.

Im pretty sure my girlfriends brother has all the tools needed as he services his own car and his parents car too.

As for the air filter I have a Pipercross installed and I clean that with the spray then oil after every service anyway.

I think the fuel filter only got changed last year, and correct me if I am wrong but that only needs changing every 2 years. As its not that expensive and it sounds like its an easy job to replace it, I may consider getting one.

The pollen filter is pretty clean, I checked it only last week, but its only a few quid so will probably get a new one when I buy the oil and oil filter.

As for the oil filter tool, is this actually needed for the job or does it just make it easier not to spill oil when you are filling it up? IE would a funnel do the same job?

I take it that manual will cover the GTI, just in case anything is different between it and the regular Golfs?

Again thanks for the info.

[th3_f15t]

The filters are dirt cheap and worth grabbing and doing for peace of mind. As for the Pipercross filter, good cleaning intervals are great work, reminds my that mine's overdue buy about 10K miles!

The oil filter tool really is worth getting, as there's about half a litre of oil in the housing and it goes everywhere when you remove the housing, regardless of using funnels or being careful.

The Haynes manual covers the GTI specifically where required, i.e. It says "For GTI models" or similar.

[itavaltalainen]

Just a note: You will also need some sort of diagnostics equipment (like VCDS) to properly change brake fluid.

[Davstylee]

Thanks for you reply, could you just explain a bit more about the brake fluid change? I was thinking of doing it but didn't realise you would need VCDS for it. I used a MaxiDiag eu702 to reset the service time when I change the oil and spark plugs. I didn't see anything on there about brake fluid so just wondering if it will have the right software on there or if I need the full VCDS?

[itavaltalainen]

Ross-Tech website tells you how, but they are saying you don't need to do it for straight fluid swap, BUT read the second link and what the guy says about colour coming out when he activated the ABS pump.... I personally would always bleed the pump.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/absbleeding.html
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=20499.0

[Bellend]

Where in Kent are you?

Also worth remembering that when we have cars in for services, as a garage we give the car a full bill of health, not just changing fluids and filters.

[Davstylee]

I'm in Belvedre.

Oh yeah when I drop off the car to my uncle who is a mechanic to do the DSG and Cambelt water pump I'll ask him to give it a once over. I was just doing as much as I could to save some money.