Automatic transition

I own a 2004/54 Audi TT 3.2 litre DSG, now at 40,000 miles. For some weeks I have noticed the water in the header tank is more like light brown soup with a touch of foam for good measure. A local dealer (not Audi but one who is really helpful) suggested flushing out first. This resulted in a return of foam within half an hour. They have suggested changing the oil cooler and perhaps the radiator (I understand the gearbox oil is cooled by the radiator water) before looking at the cylinder heads and a huge bill. Engine oil is not being consumed and is the right colour. What do you suggest I do before spending a fortune at Audi to fix it please?

Asked on 4 April 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

I’ve had two reports of this on DSGs in two days. It reads like the Mercedes Valeo heat exchanger disaster. Because automatic transmission fluid needs to be brought up to engine temperature quickly and then kept at close to engine temperature, it's common to feed a heat exchanger containing the ATF through the header tank of the radiator. The problem arises if any of the joints fail and engine
coolant starts getting into the transmission.

Tags: automatics technical issues gearboxes dsg owning

Similar questions

DSG : good or bad?

Having been around for some years now, what is HJ's general opinion of DSG transmissions: for or against?

My Skoda with DSG doesn't pull away on hills?

I have owned a Sept 2010 1.6TDI Skoda Octavia with the dry 7 speed DSG gearbox from new. Currently it has about 44,000 miles on. I like the car "it does what it says on the tin" However there is a recurring...

Six life?

Do you have any feedback on the durability of Volkswagen's six speed DSG gearboxes as fitted to the current Passat? Do you have any advice to help reliability other than the standard 40,000mile/4 yearly...