Joel928s4

Hello forum, I have read up on the Touareg and Cayenne fluid change procedure and watched the video on YouTube ( .) I didn't see much out there to verify the level as a maintenance check. I just learned Friday that the torque converter seal on my '04 Turbo has failed so I want to maintain the proper fluid level until I can get the seal replaced. I just bought the car (from a used car lot) so I don't have any maintenance history. I am starting from an unknown fluid level and the last time it was changed is unknown.

What I did to check the level was to drive the car until it was warm (stop and go traffic) then set it as close to level as I could get in my driveway while it was still warm. I opened the fill plug and fluid slowly ran out. I used a laser thermometer to measure the temperature of the fluid that came out which was 46 C. Does that mean it is full? Thanks in advance, Joel

95_993

You want to check at 40 degrees C while idling in neutral.

Joel928s4

Ah, I will have to do it again then. Thank you for the clarification 95_993! Joel

Dilberto

Ten-minute idle in Park is 38c-40c.... if you don't have the tool.

oldskewel

40C is really not very hot at all.

I just did a quick google check, and today in Palm Desert (Dilberto's listed location), it was 40+C between about 2PM and 7PM today. So stone cold is 40+C. I know Palm Desert is a pretty hot place, but that is close to true for most places in the US in the summer time.

My X5 has similar requirements, so what I've done on that is to purposely overfill it slightly (I can do that by raising the rear end higher than the front), and let it sit overnight to cool down. Then the next morning, when it is stone cold, I *very quickly* run it through the gears (basically keeping it as cool as I can, which is barely under 40C), and remove the fill plug to let excess ATF drain.

Joel928s4

Okay, I was able to get the fluid to 40C while idling in neutral but if I leave the plug out and shut off the engine, I get a load of fluid coming out. I guess the trick is to never remove the fill plug unless the car is running? Joel

Dilberto

You finish capping it up with car running. What you just saw dump out was the fluid circulating inside the gearbox and Torque Converter. The fluid level when car turned OFF is well above the level of the ATF filter. Go back and do it again....

slavie

When the engine is running the transmission pump is pushing the fluid around. When you shut off the engine, the fluid comes back down. Same as with engine oil dipstick - check it while the engine is running, and there will not be enough oil as all the oil is "at work".

Joel928s4

Joel928s4

Done and done! I had already ordered the transmission service kit from Suncoast before I learned about the failed torque converter seal. I was planning on installing it myself but now I will save it for the shop that puts the seal in.

The fluid level ended up being about 1 liter over (the lot I bought it from topped it off because the drain plug was loose and dripping) so I will give it a month before having an independent transmission shop do the seal. I know I am not this lucky but on the very unlikely chance that the fluid was leaking because it was too full, I will see it in the next month. If the leak from the bottom of the bell housing continues I will have the shop install the transmission service kit when they do the seal. At least I know how to check the level now. Thanks again!! Joel