volvopentaman

I'm thinking of flushing the gearbox on my W12.

I've come across information that the W12 has a different oil specification than the rest of the cars with the ZF 6HP26A gearbox.

The part number would be: G055162A2

Tough, many oil manufacturers claim that their oils work for both W12 and the rest, but some oil manufacturers don't claim to comply with the W12.

Any ideas what to buy and where.

Of course i need a new filter and a gasket for the oilpan.

And any ideas on the oil qualities for the differentials?

Also engine oil ideas apprechiated, tough i'm going to use Castrol 5W30 Longlife 504.00/507.00 that i got in a 20L canister for 153euros. Has not at least yet broken my engine.

MP4.2+6.0

Yes, W12's use the different spec fluid per the part # you list. Known on the board as the "blue" fluid, a.k.a. "blue gold" with its price. You have the part #.

Here is the ZF fluid list. See p. 2 for the 6HP26 and then notice the exception specific to the W12:

http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u..._11_en0700.pdf

You can also see there the ZF alternative, Lifeguard 6+ and the part numbers, in case you can find it more easily in Europe. It eventually got spec'ed for the 4.2 per the Audi fluid capacity charts, and is used to cure the "hoot" issue found with the 4.2 tranmission per a TSB. Similar issues exist with other 6HP26 trannies, and the same fix is specified, for example on the Jaguar XJ8.

Here is the ZF spare parts catalog for the 6HP26A transmission, which also reviews the fluid change process: http://www.zf.com/na/content/media/u...61_Catalog.pdf

Watch out on the coolers if you get into the fluid changes as well as how the tranny diffs are tied together if you change that fluid (covered in the ZF spare parts catalog)

Here is some info on the final drives from the Audi fluid capacity chart (09E tranny for non-FSI motors)

Front F/Drive
New Fill:
1.1L (1.2qt)
Oil PN
G 052 145 A2

Transfer Case
(09E)
1.1L (1.2 qt.)
Oil PN
G 055 145 A2

Rear F/Drive (not sure if you have an OAR or O1R rear end from the Bentley specs):
(0AR)
0.9L (1.0qt)
Rear F/Drive
(01R)
1.5L (1.6qt)
Oil PN
G 052 145 S2


Finally, yes on your oil choice. The W12's were specified with the long life oils, formerly 503.01, now merged into 504/507. The Euro spec per the W12 SSP was 0W30, but in the US a 5W40 oil is typically put in by the dealers at service.

Let us know how this goes if you get into it. Thinking of doing the same about now on the W12. Tranny pan looks hard to get out though w/ the robust exhaust headers and quad cats, but perhaps why you are thinking of it per your exhaust flex joint post. I may start w/ the always easy rear diff.