I just checked the drawings. In 2011 the box had two filters, 8K0317823 "oil pressure line & filter" and 0B5325060 "filter", whereas in 2012 (and on) it only has the 0B5325060 "filter". This initially seems contrary to the evidence, that the earlier boxes with 2 filters don't have any service recommendation to change one of them, whilst the later boxes with only one filter do. However if you think about it, Audi engineers decided to redesign the s-tronic oil system and decided that they could delete the filter in the pressure line. Possibly they decided that if they did this, and effectively filtration is reduced (the other filter did not change), then the remaining filter would need to be periodically changed. I don't know if this is the answer you are looking for but it makes sense to me.

Notwithstanding that, your concern is still valid. Many of us do decide to change parts outside Audi's service recommendation in the interests of the health and reliability of our cars. However getting a franchise Audi dealer to service early is easy, but getting them to change an officially non-changeable part can be difficult. Indeed it can be difficult to get a franchise Audi dealer to provide a part that does not officially exist for a certain model - such as a dipstick! If necessary you might need to go to an independent Audi service company. They are usually happy and even eager to provide a level of servicing which is sensible for an enthusiast to request, and to which a franchise Audi dealer has replied "computer says no".

 

Thank you so much for this answer and effort you have made to it. I would like to take car to independent garage but I always had bad experience with them. Is any of you recommend one in Lincolnshire? In terms or gearbox: you mentioned 2011 and onwards, is there any info on 2010 or early gearboxes and filters or no filter in them?


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Don't know any independents in Lincolnshire, but I use an excellent one in Nottinghamshire, if you want to travel a little. They are Audi approved (so can upload service work to the Audi online electronic service record and only use OEM parts), are ex Audi trained, and I have used them for five years and trust them more than dealer service. They have a first class reputation. If you want to try them, PM me and I'll send you their contact info.

 

My understanding with 2010 cars is that some have no replaceable filter, but at some point late 2010 or into 2011 this changed to them having a cartridge filter which needed changing at every gearbox oil service.

It was a running change during production, but any car getting a replacement gearbox from Audi will always get one with the later filter setup.

The attached provides some background info

 

Thank you guys


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The filter shown on the first page of the first pdf is the 8K0317823 "oil pressure line & filter", and as it states, it is only replaced if the gearbox is as well. The other filter shown is on all engines including 2010 and before, so as I suggested, it was not non-replaceable, just that replacement was not recommended.

 

Thanks


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@Dippy

Etka makes it a bit confusing, so I genuinely don't know which is correct

The attached Etka page suggests that item 9 was dropped in 2010 and that item 21 only applies from 2011?

Cheers

Adrian

 

You could be right Adrian. However I'd have thought that in that case they would just have two drawings, one showing only the in-line filter and the other showing only the cartridge filter. It seems strange to have a drawing which shows both.

 

I think it might be because it's a running change in production, but without a definite VIN cutoff.

There's different parts for the oil pressure lines (parts 1, 2 and 16) that probably just replace based on which gearbox is in a particular car as presented.

They may not have wanted to differentiate since any cars with a replacement box should have the later filter arrangement?

It doesn't help that Audi dealers will often do the s-tronic change on fixed price and don't list the filter on the invoice, even if they changed it! Mine does, but only because I complained at them for not stating it as a 'gearbox oil and filter change' originally! It seems some dealer systems can't cope with the fixed price system so they have to fiddle the labour element, or miss parts off the invoice to make it tally to the fixed price....

 

Update after service: so they said oil and filter when however doing it they called me saying that there is filter but in this gearbox it would be additional £200 to replace it and that they don't keep this filter in stock. Wonder now should I chalange uk costumer service. Also they found leak between gearbox and engine any idea what it can be? Gearbox was taken off recently when do some insurance works by independent garage . I requested independent assessment of car repairs tomorrow as there are other issues as well so I will
mention this leak.


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Hey everyone,

Reading the above - it looks like only the cylindrical external filter is changed with the S-tronic service.

Some kits online also include the inner filter (located within the oil pan) as well (Part number: 0B5-325-429-E). Does that have to be changed too? You'd have to open the transmission though to change it. I'd put up a link but new poster restrictions don't allow me to post up links/images....

 

Good grief!! As usual Audi confuse us with these gearbox issues, stating that they are sealed for life and all this rubbish. Anyone with a brain will always want to change fluids at some stage. With my Vito van the Merc dealer wanted to change the auto gearbox fluid at 60k kms!!!! I told them to bugger off and I had it changed recently at about 100k kms. Audi goes the other way and I recently had my tranny oil changed on my Multitronic at about 150k kms, the Audi box is very critical on the amount of oil, mine was snatchy when only about 200cc was missing. Good luck!!!!

 

My mate, a tech for audi, told me on my 2010 sportback only the oil needs changing. There is a filter if I WANT it changed for an extra £200 but they normally only change the oil. Oil from audi roughly £110 but that's staff/cost price not retail

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I have absolutely zero experience with servicing DSG gearboxes (although that’s about to change!), so the question of whether filters should be changed when the oil is changed is one I’d like a definitive answer to.
However, common sense tells me the filters are there for a reason. Given just how critical cleanliness and the right quantity of the right oil is to the health of our (enormously expensive to repair) gearboxes, and absent any compelling reasons NOT to change the filters, I’ll be changing both when I do the oil change.

 

The official Audi answer is that they only have to drain and fill the gearbox with a replacement out filter which explains why I was so confused when so many shops didn't quote me two filters on their invoice.

There's a secondary filter within the DSG box which isn't meant to be changed (there's some argument that it's not actually a filter but more of a strainer). To change that, the oil pan has to be dropped so you'd need a new gasket for the pan as well as the actual additional filter.

I'm just stuck on if I should do the recommended external filter change only or the internal one too!

 

Refer here to arguments against changing it: 75K DSG Service Question / Poll

Refer here to why you should change it: DSG DIY ? - Page 2

I'm a tad confused! Haha

 

I'm a tad confused! Haha

Not really surprising considering the complete contrast in information in those threads. I tend to trust my eyes and that internal filter definitely looks like a filter to me and I'd argue that Audi tech is talking out of his arse. Or towing the company line, whichever you prefer!

I have this service coming up at some point this year and will be changing the internal filter (mine's a December 2013 car). I'm yet undecided on whether I'll be do it (and all of the servicing) myself though.

This is the cheapest I could find the filter for.
And this the gearbox sump gasket.


Paul

 

Okay, so later models just had the shell of the filter but no internals. So, it ought to be simply a matter of determining which category the box falls into. How hard can it be...? Oh, wait, this Audi we’re talking about. Damn.

 

The first version of the DL501 had two filters, and neither was a service item (i.e. officially). But even when Audi launched this version they planned to delete one. They did so in the next version in 2011-ish, and at that time decided that the remaining filter would now be a service item.

It is well know that most Audi franchise dealers will follow the "is it an official service item" rule and so it can be difficult to impossible to persuade them to change a non-service item. This is where the independents come in.

Remember that there are many factors why Audi will declare an item to be non-service or lifetime, and reliability is only one. Best make your own decision if you think any component should be renewed, but as I stated you might need to go to an independent to get it done.

Also worth noting that a tuned car automatically breaks the rules on which the service advice was based. So that means reducing the time between services, and removing some items from the non-service/lifetime list. So for example the DL501 s-tronic 'box has two oil systems. The ATF oil is a service "item" but the hypoid oil is not. A tuned car should have the AFT oil changed more frequently than the official schedule, but also the hypoid oil should be added (but exactly when is moot).

 

Good point about the hypoid oil, Dippy. God, this service is going cost a bomb!

 

The local dealer quoted me $85AUD a litre for the transmission fluid today!

 

Faarck! That’s just outrageous!

 

Wait, so should we change the hypoid oil too? My understanding is that with the DL501, its failure isn't commonly from debris but rather heat? Is that true?

 

I think you'll struggle to find a single preferred failure mode for the DL501, however it would appear that there have been reports of problems from owners who have either admitted missing the scheduled (ATF) oil service or had bought a used car which has missed it.

On the B8 S5 there is no requirement by Audi for the hypoid/gear oil to be changed, ever. But it does seem strange that the requirement for the B8 RS5 is for it to be changed every 19K miles. Similarly why does the sports diff need both ATF and hypoid/gear oil changed every 38K miles on an RS5, but not on an S5 (where in fact those oils never need to be changed).

This is why we enthusiasts should make our own decision on what needs to be serviced and when. My car is coming up to 3 years old - it has only done about 12K miles but has been stage 2 for the last 4K of those. I'm currently deciding what needs doing at its next service, and it will definitely include the DL501 ATF oil & filter. I doubt that I will get the gear oil done this time, but it will be done at some point in the future. Since I do so few miles I'll be basing it on years and so I'll probably choose either 5 or 6 years old to have both oils changed on both my DL501 and sports diff (assuming that I will be keeping the car).

 

Hey guys,

Looking at the photos, the internal filter doesn't seem to filter anything: DSG DIY ? - Page 2

The external filter is clearly black/filtering but the internal filter has stayed the same colour. Do you think it's just a strainer as described by its part description vs. an actual filter?

 

Ended up changing the internal filter too. I think it cost about $120 AUD more than the usual price for the service. I thought why not, dropping the pan would let out a smidgen more DSG fluid anyway and they could also clean debris from the bottom of the pan/magnets. Here's some pictures for those interested:

The first image is of the external DSG filter, second is of the internal (third is of the engine air filter) at 35,000 miles/55,000km. The mechanic said (and I quote) that the gearboxes are "bulletproof" although I'm still a bit sceptical.... He said not to worry as it's a wet type DSG gearbox and they've never had to repair a mechatronics unit on these unlike the 7-speed dry VW applications. Here's hoping that he's right!

 

You could be right Adrian. However I'd have thought that in that case they would just have two drawings, one showing only the in-line filter and the other showing only the cartridge filter. It seems strange to have a drawing which shows both.