DSG leak

[farmerseb]

Hi,

So i've unfortunately found a leak coming from the DSG on my 2016 T6.

I had the dual mass flywheel changed around a year ago, everything has ran fine since - about 6 months later I did an oil change and noticed a load of oil on the plastic cover under the engine.

I took it back to the garage and they topped the DSG oil up and it needed over 1 litre..

Now this is where I get a bit confused - the garage are saying that theres a chance that the clutch is worn out which would cause a leak, that sounds strange to me so I thought i'd ask here?

Its on 220k miles but its been looked after.

I have a mechanic friend who is willing to help me get the DSG out and check it out - should I be getting the clutch changed too? Im not sure when or if its been done before.

I've been quoted £1300 if I take the box to the garage and they will fix any leaks and put a new clutch in.

I'ts hard to tell but it looks like it might be leaking on the flywheel side, if that makes sense?

I've attached a picture.

Any help appreciated!

 

[DXX]

the garage are saying that theres a chance that the clutch is worn out which would cause a leak

Definitely not the case, find an alternative garage.

 

[manfrotto]

The DSG does NOT have a clutch like a manual gearbox - It has internal clutches.
How did the garage determine it was DSG fluid that was leaked? It needs a specific process to determine the correct level, and if it was down about a litre I am pretty sure you would have symptoms while driving. I hope they used the correct fluid when the added some too.

 

[Dellmassive]

Hi,

So i've unfortunately found a leak coming from the DSG on my 2016 T6.

I had the dual mass flywheel changed around a year ago, everything has ran fine since - about 6 months later I did an oil change and noticed a load of oil on the plastic cover under the engine.

I took it back to the garage and they topped the DSG oil up and it needed over 1 litre..

Now this is where I get a bit confused - the garage are saying that theres a chance that the clutch is worn out which would cause a leak, that sounds strange to me so I thought i'd ask here?

Its on 220k miles but its been looked after.

I have a mechanic friend who is willing to help me get the DSG out and check it out - should I be getting the clutch changed too? Im not sure when or if its been done before.

I've been quoted £1300 if I take the box to the garage and they will fix any leaks and put a new clutch in.

I'ts hard to tell but it looks like it might be leaking on the flywheel side, if that makes sense?

I've attached a picture.

Any help appreciated!

View attachment 322686

This sounds similar to mine,

Had the dsg box out a couple of times....


The. It started leaking.

But it back into VW, to be told there's a crack in the casing..... It's a known thing with a TPI.

The TPI says to replace the bolt with sealant.... Which didn't work.

Ultimately I had a new dsg box fitted under all in warranty at 80kmiles.

Not saying that's your problem....but it's known thing.








.

 

[Dellmassive]

Fyi....

Post in thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure'

8 Dec 2024

oh happy days. . . . its back !!!




and with a shiney looking new DSG box. . .

• Dellmassive

• 
• 

 

[farmerseb]

The DSG does NOT have a clutch like a manual gearbox - It has internal clutches.
How did the garage determine it was DSG fluid that was leaked? It needs a specific process to determine the correct level, and if it was down about a litre I am pretty sure you would have symptoms while driving. I hope they used the correct fluid when the added some too.

So he topped the oil up and said that it used over 1 litre to get it to the correct level.

They advertise as DSG specialists so I assumed they knew what they were doing...

This sounds similar to mine,

Had the dsg box out a couple of times....


The. It started leaking.

But it back into VW, to be told there's a crack in the casing..... It's a known thing with a TPI.

The TPI says to replace the bolt with sealant.... Which didn't work.

Ultimately I had a new dsg box fitted under all in warranty at 80kmiles.

Not saying that's your problem....but it's known thing.








.

Unfortunately this is way out of warranty, hopefully im not into a new dsg box.

I'm hoping that my mechanic friend can find a leaking seal or something easier, I guess the first step is getting the box out.

Nightmare!

 

[Dellmassive]

With me VW don't repair staff, they only fit no. And as I was in warranty they fitted I new gearbox.

But if I was out of warranty then I would look at having it repaired..

The name issue and TPI covers a crack in the casting.. by a bolt hole, so if the oil appears to be leaking from a boat then they fix is to replace the bolt we've sealant which should seal the crack.. the gearbox casing is made from an alloy so it can't be welded easily.

The first thing to know is fully clean the gearbox so it's bound dry and then maybe use some leak detection spray and then take the van on the test drive to work out where the oil leak is coming from.

Gearbox oil has a very distinct smell, it stinks horrible.

That's one way you can tell it apart from engine oil... Plus the oil is normally a lot clearer compared to the engine oil which will be black.

 

[farmerseb]

With me VW don't repair staff, they only fit no. And as I was in warranty they fitted I new gearbox.

But if I was out of warranty then I would look at having it repaired..

The name issue and TPI covers a crack in the casting.. by a bolt hole, so if the oil appears to be leaking from a boat then they fix is to replace the bolt we've sealant which should seal the crack.. the gearbox casing is made from an alloy so it can't be welded easily.

The first thing to know is fully clean the gearbox so it's bound dry and then maybe use some leak detection spray and then take the van on the test drive to work out where the oil leak is coming from.

Gearbox oil has a very distinct smell, it stinks horrible.

That's one way you can tell it apart from engine oil... Plus the oil is normally a lot clearer compared to the engine oil which will be black.

So the oil I found is definitely cleaner than engine oil and coming from the bellhousing with the flywheel in.

We have gone ahead and removed the box, there is a small weep of oil from the seal around the shaft.

Now I need to decide what to do, I could just change the seal and put it back and hope for the best.

Do you think I should be getting a specialist to refurbish the DSG? Including a new clutch?

Is there anyone that is recommended? I'm just west of London.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[DXX]

A seal renewal is a cheap and easy fix but if the shaft has worn on the seal journal or the shaft bearing is failing it’s a bigger repair.
You could put a DTI on the shaft and check for radial movement.
Extracting the seal will reveal if there is any shaft wear but take precautions to prevent ingress of dirt.
Or you could go down the reconditioned exchange route with a reputable gearbox specialist, probably better not to make any disassembly if you choose this method.

Edit: I assume there is a gearbox breather to allow for thermal expansion, have you checked that this is free and not causing over pressure in the gearbox?

 

[Dellmassive]

Could be worth taking it to a dsg specialist for a rebuild.

Then they may offer a warranty.?

 

[manfrotto]

If the DSG was working well I would suggest getting it rebuilt is an expensive option, when it is potentially only a failed seal.

What was the rational for your mechanic suggesting a new clutch?

 

[farmerseb]

If the DSG was working well I would suggest getting it rebuilt is an expensive option, when it is potentially only a failed seal.

What was the rational for your mechanic suggesting a new clutch?

Yes I had no problems as far as I could tell - although I havn't been using it much atall because of the leak.

His rational was that the clutch being worn could cause it to leak around the shaft.. I've said this to a few other mechanics and they thought it sounds wrong.

I'm at a point where i'm not sure what to do - I have the gearbox out so i'm thinking I should get a clutch done anyway? I can't see when it was last done and its on 220k miles.

I'm waiting to hear back from another mechanic who may change the seal and check for any other wear that could cause a leak.

 

[DXX]

His rational was that the clutch being worn could cause it to leak around the shaft.. I've said this to a few other mechanics and they thought it sounds wrong.

If the bearing is worn the seal can’t support the load.

 

[farmerseb]

A seal renewal is a cheap and easy fix but if the shaft has worn on the seal journal or the shaft bearing is failing it’s a bigger repair.
You could put a DTI on the shaft and check for radial movement.
Extracting the seal will reveal if there is any shaft wear but take precautions to prevent ingress of dirt.
Or you could go down the reconditioned exchange route with a reputable gearbox specialist, probably better not to make any disassembly if you choose this method.

Edit: I assume there is a gearbox breather to allow for thermal expansion, have you checked that this is free and not causing over pressure in the gearbox?

Im assuming this is the breather you are talking about?

Its hard to tell if its clear without removing it, which im wary of doing before deciding what to do next. Unless its easy to remove?