4motion rear diff oil change... anyone doing this ??

[kiteboardkid]

Is anyone changing the rear diff oil on a 4motion? I'm not talking about the Haldex oil.

I bought a 2018 T6 T32 LWB Kombi, 4motion, 204hp, DSG with VW FSH, 39k miles from a small trader in Dec 2023. 3 weeks later I popped into my local van centre and they offered me a warranty/service package (2x mot, 2x service, 2 year warranty and roadside assistance) for £888. I bought it for peace of mind. Never received any info about package i.e. terms & conditions etc, I even chased them twice more about still not receiving any details from VW about this package I'd purchased and still no email from VW to verify confirm T&C's.

Van went in to them 2 days ago as I was concerned about the amount of noise that seems to come from van floor Rear Diff area, they were also doing one of the 2 services and MOT's I got in the package. I also opted to have DSG Oil and Haldex Oil changed as well at an extra £285 and £195.

I specifically asked them twice on two different occasions before it went in what was involved with the Haldex Oil change (priced £195 and not included in service package), the service manager told me on both occasions that they change both the Haldex Oil AND the Rear Diff Oil. I wanted to know because I was hoping they would be removing the Haldex Pump to clean its filter, they don't do this! Van is still with them and yesterday I found out that they DO NOT change the Rear Diff Oil either! so they completely misled me.
They now want to charge me and extra £350 for road testing/diagnosing the noise and if there is any issue with rear diff. They noted that the Haldex oil looked metallic when changed and wanted to charge me £444 to take Haldex pump off and clean it's filter!
They also brought to my attention that because it now has Swamper wheels/tyres fitted (just 300 miles ago) that if there is an issue with the Rear Diff it is unlikely the warranty will now cover it because of their slight bigger diameter.

More things were also added to their health check system email that they send out, including...

1 .Fault stored in fault history, egr valve insufficient flow detected, requires egr clean with two bottles of cleaner 5hrs: £1022
(it has had the later updated EGR bellow pipes fitted some time back by VW)

2. Slight oil leak from crank seal, advise crank seal and associated parts ,6hrs with cam belt, water pump and aux belt, 5 hrs by itself: £1675



Need I ask what you all think of this?

I wait to hear from them today....

 

[kiteboardkid]

update....

Martins VW van centre (Basingstoke) have said they do believe the diff is noisy but it's not a serviceable item and we'd have to swap out the diff and haldex for a complete new unit. Diff and Haldex come as one complete part when buying apparently. They are preparing a full report to submit to VW Extended Warranty but as it hasn't stopped the vehicle running they believe it will be declined!
GREAT!!!!

 

[WillWillWill]

If you have no luck with the warranty, in my opinion you have nothing to lose by servicing the Haldex and the rear diff properly (which hasn’t been done yet). It will cost a bit for the oil and parts but nothing compared to new diff/awd unit from VW.

Don’t know how keen you are but it can be done yourself, or find a good independent because VW are pretty useless with these two parts as you have found (they don’t service the Haldex correctly, and they don’t service the rear diff at all).

This site is really helpful for all things Haldex: Haldex Parts and ECU Repairs by Auto Fault Finder Ltd – Haldex Mail order parts and ECU repair services The filter should be cleaned when the oil is replaced.

For the rear diff you will likely have to make your own drain plug, but it is a pretty simple procedure for someone to do. There are some pics and details here (and have a read of the thread whilst there for more info on what to be careful of).

 

[kiteboardkid]

If you have no luck with the warranty, in my opinion you have nothing to lose by servicing the Haldex and the rear diff properly (which hasn’t been done yet). It will cost a bit for the oil and parts but nothing compared to new diff/awd unit from VW.

Don’t know how keen you are but it can be done yourself, or find a good independent because VW are pretty useless with these two parts as you have found (they don’t service the Haldex correctly, and they don’t service the rear diff at all).

This site is really helpful for all things Haldex: Haldex Parts and ECU Repairs by Auto Fault Finder Ltd – Haldex Mail order parts and ECU repair services The filter should be cleaned when the oil is replaced.

For the rear diff you will likely have to make your own drain plug, but it is a pretty simple procedure for someone to do. There are some pics and details here (and have a read of the thread whilst there for more info on what to be careful of).

I have no problem doing what you suggest.. but the noise is most likely from worn pinion bearings, so it will need to be dropped, opened and bearings replaced. Does anyone know anywhere that would take on such a task please?

 

[B.different]

Mister gearbox sheffield is who refurbished mine. Apparently vw serviced it relieving the previous owner of her hard earned cash only to be told it has never been touched. Had to take the filter out in bits it was that knackered. Whilst it's out I would recommend changing all the breathers then get it geometry done as they drop the cradle.

 

[kiteboardkid]

Mister gearbox sheffield is who refurbished mine. Apparently vw serviced it relieving the previous owner of her hard earned cash only to be told it has never been touched. Had to take the filter out in bits it was that knackered. Whilst it's out I would recommend changing all the breathers then get it geometry done as they drop the cradle.

Thank you, have sent them an email.

 

[kiteboardkid]

Thank you, have sent them an email.

Spoken to Mister Gearbox in Sheffield... They have done a few 4motion diff rebuilds. Require van for 3-5 days, price includes removing diff, complete bearing set rebuild and reinstall of diff. £1100 + VAT = £1,320 (knock off £250 if you take out and reinstall the diff yourself)

 

[B.different]

It's better if they do it all, then if there's anything it's up to them to sort out.

 

[kiteboardkid]

Update...

Test drove another 4motion today and it sounded about the same as mine on floor area around rear diff. So, maybe they are just that noisy! I'm quite shocked that VW haven't managed to isolate and reduce that noise especially when you consider how many years they've been making the Transporter 4motion model.

 

[DaveD]

1 .Fault stored in fault history, egr valve insufficient flow detected, requires egr clean with two bottles of cleaner 5hrs: £1022
(it has had the later updated EGR bellow pipes fitted some time back by VW)

2. Slight oil leak from crank seal, advise crank seal and associated parts ,6hrs with cam belt, water pump and aux belt, 5 hrs by itself: £1675



Need I ask what you all think of this?

Were they wearing masks at the time of the attempted robbery?

 

[B.different]

TPS call it transporter tax when ever I phone up for parts and start laughing.

 

[kiteboardkid]

Update...

As expected VW Extended Warranty have declined the work, stating the noise was probably there before they sold me the Warranty back in January. Neither I or they can prove or disprove this. Maybe when they offer to sell us an extended warranties they should check the vehicle first! Martins Van Centre Basingstoke offered me no discount for misleading me into the fact that they told me twice when specifically asked... Do you change the rear diff oil as part of the Haldex oil service? YES, I was told on both occasions. Did they change it... NO! Also Charged me £117 for Diagnosis of the noise. So i asked for written report from the technician as to exactly what was the issue. Guess what.. no written report and nothing more than the noise is coming from Haldex/Rear Diff! That's like telling me Night follows Day!

Independently I have also been in conversation with VW Customer Care and they did give me a £400 good will gesture and looking like that will be increased to £500. So a thumbs up for that and to the lady concerned that offered me that and took time to ring me everyday while the van was in at the garage.

I am taking the vehicle to a transmission specialist later next week for him to diagnose where the sound in emulating from. As it could be the Haldex unit or the Diff itself.

Will continue to update you all....

PS. As my thread title..... Does anyone change the oil in the rear diff ? (not the Haldex oil).

 

[WillWillWill]

PS. As my thread title..... Does anyone change the oil in the rear diff ? (not the Haldex oil).

For the rear diff you will likely have to make your own drain plug, but it is a pretty simple procedure for someone to do. There are some pics and details here (and have a read of the thread whilst there for more info on what to be careful of).

 

[kiteboardkid]

I will check if my later Diff has a drain plug when it's up on a lift next week

 

[Lubrown]

I will check if my later Diff has a drain plug when it's up on a lift next week

Any updates?

 

[kiteboardkid]

Don't believe there is a drain plug .

I am awaiting on some decisions from VW before I proceed any further. But most likely will be dropping the Diff and giving it to a local Transmission Specialist to strip and see what he finds???? Just hope that he can then get/find bearings to fit for a rebuild.

 

[DXX]

Just hope that he can then get/find bearings to fit for a rebuild.

If the workshop is any good they will make sure they have a bearing supply before they start work.

 

[kiteboardkid]

Yes as Transmissions specialist they have various Bearing suppliers/manufacturers. The trouble is so far I have found absolutely no one that has rebuilt a 4motion rear diff and there are no spares available from VW. I found one company in Slovakia (link below) that sell a Bearing kit but even they are saying to strip it down first and give them the sizes so they can check against the kit they sell. Haven't found anywhere that can give info as bearing sizes either.

So, we have strip it down first then take the sizes from existing and then hope the suppliers can match, either that or I have to go for replacement unit new or secondhand.

Haldex rear differential repair kit 2..4. and 5th generation

Set of bearings / repair kit for the rear differential with haldex coupling of 2nd, 4th and 5th generations of VW Group vehicles.

www.4x4parte.com

Mister Gearbox in Sheffield (as suggested above) say they cannot do it.

 

[Vanderlust]

Van to the dealer today for oil service, dsg oil change, fns wheel bearing,check egr,… Phoned by the dealer as a technician had said the Haldex oil was due a change shortly did I want it done now. Costing arm and a leg anyway so thought might as well be both arms so gave the go ahead. When I picked the van up was informed the haldex oil had not been changed as VW has issued a recall notice on the vw supplied oil???. The best answer the service desk could give me was maybe a “bad” batch of oil.But the dealers not replacing haldex oil at this time.
All seems a bit ho hum. How have VW had cause to identify the oil as a problem? For info if you’ve had the haldex oil replaced. Had search but nothing on the forum re this.

 

[kiteboardkid]

Van to the dealer today for oil service, dsg oil change, fns wheel bearing,check egr,… Phoned by the dealer as a technician had said the Haldex oil was due a change shortly did I want it done now. Costing arm and a leg anyway so thought might as well be both arms so gave the go ahead. When I picked the van up was informed the haldex oil had not been changed as VW has issued a recall notice on the vw supplied oil???. The best answer the service desk could give me was maybe a “bad” batch of oil.But the dealers not replacing haldex oil at this time.
All seems a bit ho hum. How have VW had cause to identify the oil as a problem? For info if you’ve had the haldex oil replaced. Had search but nothing on the forum re this.

Could we have some info on which dealer and which part of the country this is please? As mine has only just been done at Martins Van Centre Basingstoke, I will ask them if they are aware of such an issue.