Geal Oil Change - Manual Trans - 2000 VW Beetle

[geohunt]

Has anyone done this as a do-it-yourself in the driveway? I have the 2.0L engine.

Questions:
1-Where did you get the oil?
2-How much oil?
3-Cost of oil?
3-Procedure? About all I know so far is there is a drain plug & fill plug.
4-Is if hard to get the new fluid in due to limited room to tilt bottle?
5- Do you need a special device to squirt fluid in?
6- Any do's and don'ts?

I mean if it's just a matter of pulling the drain and fill plugs, why pay the shop big bucks (unless I'm missing something).

Thank you so much - George

[IndyTom]

Hi George,

I changed my manual transmission fluid a couple of times. The first time I did it I used Mobil One Full Synthetic 75W90 GL5 Gear oil which was Horrible. The transmission shifted like it was stuck in mud. Since then I read that GL5 isn't any good for our transmissions. They require a GL4 rated Lube.
That said I did some more research and found that a lot of people were using Penzoil Snychromesh manual transmission fluid. It was only $7 dollars at my local Autozone and I opted to give it a try. WOW, what a difference! Transmission shifts like Butter now and no hanging in any gear.
Some will tell you only to use the VW recommended G70 Gear Lube which is fine as well. You will need to get it at your local VW dealer and it will run about 16 to 18 bucks a quart. You will need 2 Quarts. Well the capacity is just a tad over 2 quarts but you will never be able to get all of the transmission fluid out of the transmission so I was only able to squeeze in just under 2 quarts before it was leaking out of the fill hole. Some may suggest Redline or Royal Purple. I have used both in my Audi TT's and didn't care for them. They didn't shift much better than the Mobil One GL5 fluid. So far from all the different fluids that I have tried the Penzoil Synchromesh works the best. If you feel only the best will do then by all means get the VW OEM stuff. Again you will only need 2 Liters/ VW stuff comes in Liter bottles. And call ahead your dealer may not have it in stock and may need to order the fluid or you can go to ECS tuning and order it there for about the same price or a bit cheaper.

As far as replacing the fluid. I used a pump that screws right into the gear fluid bottle. It comes with a clear plastic hose that you feed through the fill hole and then I just pumped it in by hand. It takes a few minutes to empty the bottle but it is the least messy method that I found that works for me. Others just a funnel and a long hose and fill it from above but then you really need two people to make sure the hose stays in and to yell stop when it starts leaking out of the fill hole. Either way works.

Good Luck!

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...luid/ES257578/

This is the type of pump I was talking about. You can get it at most Autoparts stores for less than 10 bucks:
http://synthetic-motor-oil-air-filte...-hand-pump.htm

[Smileybug]

I used Redline MT90 for my trans. Works great. Its a GL4 fluid. Don't remember how much it was but bought it online. Also used the pump method.

Its incredibly easy to change out the gear oil. I'd say easier than a regular oil change really...no messy filter to deal with!

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

I used Redline MT90 for my trans. Works great. Its a GL4 fluid. Don't remember how much it was but bought it online. Also used the pump method.

Its incredibly easy to change out the gear oil. I'd say easier than a regular oil change really...no messy filter to deal with!

I need to do this...I change my own oil, so you're making this sound easy. Where do you insert the pump? Any photos perhaps?
Thanks.

[Smileybug]

There is a drain plug and a fill hole. Pump goes into the fill hole. Pump fluid until it starts to drain out. It really is easy, though I've done it on a lift and never with a jack and jackstands, but I've done plenty of oil changes. I will say, gear oil smells awful so I'd wear gloves and do your best to not get any on you. But it really is easy. I'm sure there is a DIY out there somewhere with pics.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

There is a drain plug and a fill hole. Pump goes into the fill hole. Pump fluid until it starts to drain out. It really is easy, though I've done it on a lift and never with a jack and jackstands, but I've done plenty of oil changes. I will say, gear oil smells awful so I'd wear gloves and do your best to not get any on you. But it really is easy. I'm sure there is a DIY out there somewhere with pics.

Ah, I don't have a lift...I guess that might be a problem.

[IndyTom]

Manual transmission fluid change how-to with pics - TDIClub Forums

How to change the manual transmission gear oil change on VW TDI Jetta Golf GL4 75w

These are both from TDI forums but the tranny is the same.

They use the funnel method to put the fluid back in. I prefer the pump. Either one works.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by miffmole

Ah, I don't have a lift...I guess that might be a problem.

I don't have a lift and it was no problem at all. I have done it even without jacking up the car. It's realllllllllyyyyy EASY!!

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

I don't have a lift and it was no problem at all. I have done it even without jacking up the car. It's realllllllllyyyyy EASY!!

Thanks, Tom. I'll give it a try...

[geohunt]

Originally Posted by geohunt

Has anyone done this as a do-it-yourself in the driveway? I have the 2.0L engine.

Questions:
1-Where did you get the oil?
2-How much oil?
3-Cost of oil?
3-Procedure? About all I know so far is there is a drain plug & fill plug.
4-Is if hard to get the new fluid in due to limited room to tilt bottle?
5- Do you need a special device to squirt fluid in?
6- Any do's and don'ts?

I mean if it's just a matter of pulling the drain and fill plugs, why pay the shop big bucks (unless I'm missing something).

Thank you so much - George

Does anyone have a pic of the pump thingy? And where did you get the pump? Thank you again!

[Smileybug]

I certainly wasn't saying that a lift is required. Just that it was made pretty dang easy for me on one! I wouldn't hesitate to do the gear oil with a jack and jackstands...again done plenty of regular oil changes that way and its a much messier job.

[Smileybug]

Originally Posted by geohunt

Does anyone have a pic of the pump thingy? And where did you get the pump? Thank you again!

Indy linked it earlier: Amsoil gear oil pump

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Indy linked it earlier: Amsoil gear oil pump

I bought mine at Autozone for about 8 bucks and change.

[D2Beetle]

This Thread (O2J Gear Oil Change DIY) might be of some assistance ...

[geohunt]

Originally Posted by D2Beetle

This Thread (O2J Gear Oil Change DIY) might be of some assistance ...

Very helpful! Thank you. I guess it comes down to either rigging up a funnel & hoses to fill from up top OR getting one of those pump devices that files on the container of the gear oil and filling from underneath the car huh.

George

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by geohunt

Very helpful! Thank you. I guess it comes down to either rigging up a funnel & hoses to fill from up top OR getting one of those pump devices that files on the container of the gear oil and filling from underneath the car huh.

George

I picked up both from Autozone. The large flex tube was actually part of a funnel and I took the flex tube off of it.