S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

It was a 2000 Passat, front wheel drive only, 5HP19FL ZF tip tranny (very close to the S4 tip tranny) and the exact same tranny as an A4 or A6 without quattro. It had 63k miles on it and it was worth the effort and $.

The fluid was quite blackened and the filter and magnets in the pan were thick with metal "gel". There were no big needles of metal like in some of the pictures I have seen, but magnets had about 1/4 inch of this metal gel on them (the stuff had to be scrapped off; it would not come off with a solvent spray so it had to be metallic in composition). The new fluid is a nice golden color and the old fluid was dark like used oil (not quite that black, but close) and it had black particles in it.

I got the filter and gasket from ECS and the Pentosin fluid (G 052 162 A2) from Autobahnfluids.com (best overall price I could find, including shipping - Impex may be very close for final price). It took just under 6 litres of new fluid. You can download a pdf file that gives step-by-step instructions from the ZF website just to give you that final bit of reassurance - I used it!

Sorry, no pics but it's been posted before and I didn't have any trouble. On the Passat there was no interference with any of the pan bolts; they were T-27 torx (got a bit at Grainger for $1.27), the fill plug is 17 mm Hex (expensive wrench there) and the drain plug is 8 mm Hex.

I would strongly suggest doing this on your tip tranny even before 60k miles. This is definitely NOT a lifetime fluid unless you are in the business of selling and installing new trannys. This fluid needs to be changed. I was not having any driveability issues with the tranny; it was just preventative maint. as I plan on keeping the car a long time. [Overall it's been the most bulletproof vehicle I've ever owned! Nothing but regular/normal maint. for the entire 63k miles! Absolutely no repairs at all. The CEL came on at 37k miles and I changed the plugs and it went out and that is the only "issue" I've had with this car. This was the last high quality year for VAG, IMO!] ;-P

BiturboBoy_V2.0_S3--

wondering if I (not much experience) can do this DIY or should just bring it to a shop.

all i found on ZF site was "literature"

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

Go to the ZF literature page, go down to the 5-speed auto tranny header and click on the link for your tranny - each "spare parts catalogue" has the application information and fluid change procedure within the first several pages of each document. I can't remember what exact model the S4 uses, but there are only 5 or 6 possibilities...<ul><li><a href="http://www.zf-group.com/am/pc/pt/ampcpt07.phtml">ZF Tranny Literature Page</a></li></ul>

BiturboBoy_V2.0_S3--

thanks.

OCA::DIY Motorsports

Most suggest it be changed @30K intervals.

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

was just as clean as new fluid. So who knows, but if you plan on keeping your car for a long time, it can't hurt and I will change more often from now on! Didn't know as much back when the car had only 30k on it.

OCA::DIY Motorsports

that "if" you've neglected one long enough (lets say 150K or so), then you DO NOT want to change it. The new fluid will dislodge all sorts of crap and clog the valve bodies and a new tranny will soon be in your future. Drive it till it blows as your chances of it lasting are better just leaving the old stuff in there. Not sure how true this is, but it sounds right.

BTW Mercs now come with sealed trannies.

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

of surprised when I told them they were wrong and it actually had a drain plug and a fill plug.

Mortt

lucked out and got it on the first try

ExpStang

I got all my fluids and filters from www.autohausaz.com