Transmission and Engine Temp questions

ATI400EFI · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 12:06 PM

Hi, new here. Couple of questions for the veterans.
I have a 2003 jetta 1.8t with auto. 124,000 miles. Car is SUPER clean, one owner, dealer maintained. Found out tranny was never serviced but everything else up to date (timing belt, water pump, oil changes etc).

1st question: Can the trans filter be changed and does tranny need to be removed to do it? Just took it in to local german car lot and told me they could only drain and fill. only did 4 quarts and told me to do it again in 10K miles. Wondering if they were weary of disturbing a working transmission. Not worried about cost of service, just want trans to live.

2nd question: My temperature would read 190 when warm but then would drop considerably once driving (to 9:00 position vs 12:00 (190 degrees on guage). Had the water temp sensor changed with "green top". Made a huge improvement, but it still drops but just 11:00 position when driving and comes back to 190 degrees once at a stop and running.

Any ideas on these two items?
Thanks for your time

desjetta · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 02:59 PM

The temp is your thermostat opening and closing it isn't anything to worry about really. VW tranny's scare a lot of techs from word of mouth from fellow enthusiasts. I have heard of cars never changing a tranny filter and lasting forever. Unless you have junk in your tranny fluid then I wouldn't worry about changing the filter.

ATI400EFI · #3 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 03:33 PM

Well that is some positive news, thanks. Considering that only about 4 quarts were drained and filled, how efficient will it be to just drain and fill it two or maybe three times within so many miles? The tech told me he prefers to do it this way to try and disturb the tranny the least amount. I am just used to getting as much out and filling it back up with a new filter in previous cars. Im want to make this nice car last as long as possible with maintainence. ( And I understand that you can never really drain the torque converter fully)
thanks again, anyone else have an opinion????

2001Jettagls · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 06:18 PM

The temp gauge should not fluctuate on that car. You most likely have the original thermostat still in there. It's getting weak and opening too soon. Before replacing the thermostat, be sure to have a new O-ring and a new plastic thermostat housing on hand. You'll need to remove the throttle body and the alternator to get at the thermostat on the 1.8 motor.

Matticusdav · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 10:26 PM

My thermostat did that EXACT thing.. it would open up too much on the highway and get too cool, then while i was at a stop light or fast food drive through it got a little too hot. replaced it and solved the problem. its a bitch though.. if you dont have a u-joint or whatever they call them for a ratchet, dont even try. gotta unbolt the alternator to get to the t-stat. costs about $20 at auto zone. make sure it says 190 or 195 on the brass part of the t-stat. either is fine.

ATI400EFI · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 06:02 PM

Thanks for your experience mattucday! I will replace thermostat as soon as I can. It isn't too bad yet, but I will still do it.
Anyone on their trans??? I had it drained and filled, it still shifts great. Think I may go ahead and have it changed again and do the filter at that point. Hoping the old fluid got diluted with the new and run trough converter so the next change should be a bit more effective at getting old fluid out of converter. Just will be really sore with myself if I try and add life to trans and end up screwing it up. What have others done to make them live??