08 MkV Golf GTI DSG - Candy White

[AC]

After the Impreza went to it's new home over the border, it didn't take too long to find a replacement. Driving in and out to work in the Impreza started to feel like a chore and after the Merc, I wanted something easy to drive in and out to Belfast. I spotted this down in Dublin back in April so took it a drive then took it home.

It took a while to sort the import papaerwork (ended up needing an IVA due to being under 10 years old - nightmare) but got there in the end.

2008 Golf GTI
DSG - with paddles
Candy White
72,000 miles
Full VW stamped service history
Heated leather
Electric lumbar support
Auto lights
Auto wipers
18" Monzas on Michelin Pilot Sport 3's

Water marks^^

Unfortunately, shortly after driving it, the DSG started to play up a little. No codes present in VCDS but in first and reverse after the box warmed up, it was a bit notchy and would kangeroo a bit in reverse. All other gears with smooth as it should. One of the things I checked when buying was the DSG services and it had been serviced at 35K and 68K which was a good sign - opps.

I did a basic DSG reset on the box and completed the adaptive drive but unfortunately was no better. I had a fair idea what was playing up (mechatronics - uhoh) but booked it into Agnews for a diagnostic. Yup - came back with a quote for a new mechatronics unit at just shy of £2,400. No chance, so took it home.

Booked the car in with Dessie (ND Motors) and asked him to drop the mechatronics unit out for me, gear oil was perfect, not a good sign as was hoping it was dirty! Brought it home and set about testing it. As there were no codes present on scan, I didn't touch the ECU, must be something with the valve body (dirt or sticky solenoid/partially blocked channel).

Stripped it down, removed all control solenoids, tested with a 9V battery, all passed ok and tested within manufacturers resistence. So far so good.

Stripped down the valve body, removed the teflon gasket, removed all seals and oil filters (12 or 13 iirc) and cleaned the valve body with carb cleaner and a few cloths.

Waited for all solvents to dry then blew the channels out with an airline, reseated all filters/seals and built the unit back up. Gave it to Dessie with new gear oil / filter, he put it back in, basic reset on the box and it has been perfect. All changes are silky smooth, taking off from first and reverse are also perfect and has been driving really well ever since. Happy days!

Done so far:
New cam follower
PCV delete kit
New thermostat
LED interior kit
Revision G Diverter Valve (it had a rev G but it was split)

Future plans:
Lower it 30mm - H&R's have been ordered
Revo intake
Revo stage 1
RNS upgrade
Drive it

 

[StevenMc29]

That was some DIY job to get DSG going right again! Fair play! Lovely car!

 

[Jet9]

Good work - very nice.

 

[Burt2000]

Lovely car, had one very similar myself a few years ago, the revo on it is great. Big balls dismantling the mechatronics unit, well done mate Just shows how it can be fixed but most dealers will just say nah new part at £2400!

 

[Ruairi83]

Car looks great lad and fair play on the Mechatronics unit fix.

 

[O.C.D]

Not a big fan of white cars but i would make an exception in this case ..HTD

 

[AC]

Lovely car, had one very similar myself a few years ago, the revo on it is great. Big balls dismantling the mechatronics unit, well done mate Just shows how it can be fixed but most dealers will just say nah new part at £2400!

The unit itself isn't hard to strip, it was stripped and rebuilt in the space of 2 hours. VW said that they don't repair, only replace. Serious money though. If you've a faulty solenoid (would generally have an error code present), you can buy the replacements handy enough: http://www.jpat.co.uk/43aAisinWarnerAWTF60SN.pdf

If you fancy an interesting read on the 6speed wet clutch box, a chap wrote a very detailed paper on it: http://vwts.ru/vw_doc2/trans/02e/direct-shift_gearbox_02e_eng.pdf

 

[Boydie]

Very impressive

 

[VintyGti]

Love them in white, fair play to you sorting the mechatronics. Will have a read at them links now as this is my biggest worry, hopefully picking up an Edition30 this week.

 

[Carson]

That looks a very clean example. Fair play on the DIY DSG work, saved yourself a scary bill

 

[richiemucker]

Fair play mate for undertaking that DSG work yourself. The satisfaction you must of felt when you got it sorted and saved 2.5k must of been a good buzz.

 

[Broomy]

The worry of that going was what put me off the dsg I test drove before I bought my manual. Fair play on sorting yourself. Looks awesome in white HTD

 

[big_pete]

Some balls on you taking that apart lol! Great looking car, love the 18" Monza's, lowered a little and that would be perfect

 

[Lyons]

Lovely looking GTi .

I'm very impressed at you tackling the mechatronics unit yourself, top work.

I hate how the Southern GTi's don't have climate as standard though.

 

[AC]

That's my only gripe @Lyons , I did have a look at the retro fit option but swiftly decided not to!

That and xenons would have been a nice extra.

I'll need to get it over to you at some stage @big_pete for some TLC. Will also need to give @Graham a bell and booked in after the Revo intake.

 

[CharlySkunkWeed]

Never mind taking that thing apart , I don't even know what the **** it is !

lovely looking car.

 

[Crimson]

Lovely example mate

and fair play to you telling Volkswagen where to stick their £2,400 odd quid replacement quote for the mechatronics box and tackling it yourself - just shows you their general approach to fault finding - identify the faulty part without any further diagnostics and hit the customer with nice beefy quote for a straight replacement part(s) and labour - god knows what they charge per hour!

 

[AC]

I did call TPS @Crimson to price up a unit to get a better understanding of the cost breakdown and the unit was coming in at £1,900 including VAT which would mean £500 would be labour. I doubt they would have changed the oil/filter during that either.

In VW's defence, the chap's that I dealt with in Agnew's were decent and the fella that specialises in DSG boxes there told me that they aren't allowed to touch the mechatronics units, only to send them back to VW and fit replacements.

Understandably a big risk point when buying one out of warranty. However regardless of having a bash yourself or having someone else look at it, they can be repaired at a fraction of the cost of a replacement so would urge anyone not to let that put you off. Although a faulty clutch pack can be easily misdiagnosed as the mechatronics unit so you can run the risk of racking up the bills - albeit seems very rare.

 

[Crimson]

Hmmm...still quite a hefty bill even when broken down and buying the part yourself

Aye to be fair the guys on the ground in most of the VAG dealerships are fairly decent, I would have thought the basic diagnostic and straight part swapout approach is not an approach coming from the mechanic teams but rather a directive that has been sent down to the dealerships from VAG HQ

I would be honest and say I would stick to a VAG manual box after seeing the bill you posted up for a duff mechatronics unit. I dont think all of the faults with them could be definitely sorted with the fix you had a bash at which would then leave you £2,400 out of pocket if you're outside the VAG/dealer warranty

 

[Boydie]

Hence why I am back in a manual lol

 

[AC]

@Crimson there are plenty of places on the mainland you can send the unit to for repair that offer a years warranty on their repair for a fraction of the cost. If it's ECU related, around £250 for a repair. If it's valve body, around £700. But can understand why some wouldn't chance it.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no one on this side of the water does it.

 

[VintyGti]

Good business opportunity for you

 

[Crimson]

@Crimson there are plenty of places on the mainland you can send the unit to for repair that offer a years warranty on their repair for a fraction of the cost. If it's ECU related, around £250 for a repair. If it's valve body, around £700. But can understand why some wouldn't chance it.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no one on this side of the water does it.

No surprise there, this place is years behind in many things!

Good business opportunity for you

This man has speaks the truth, most people in NI wouldn't even know what a mechatronics unit is! As Pete said it takes balls to consider stripping something like this and rebuild it - I take it you didn't find any guides online and just took a note of everything as you removed it?

 

[AC]

I couldn't find any guides as such no, just those papers I posted above. I took my time and recorded everything that came off in turn.

In hindsight, I should have taken more detailed pictures and made a guide!

It's ok gambling with my own money but not sure I'd be happy to gamble someone else's. Happy to assist anyone with issues mind.

 

[VintyGti]

Well just picked up my DSG edition 30 tonight getting a service booked in for it asap but if I have any bother I know who to ask .