How to check a cambelt & DSG oil has been changed?
Discussion
I got my Golf Edition 30 yesterday. Drives well, only motorway stuff so far but after 5 hours in it I'm pretty pleased. Pre-purchase I asked if the cam belt and DSG oil had been changed (it's done 50K) and was told that it hadn't but that it would be. When I collected the car I checked the service book and although there was a service detailed on the previous day, the 'changed DSG oil' item hadn't been checked, if fact it's a YES/NO tick box and NO had been ticked.
The dealer said that the garage must have just forgotten to tick that box and that he'd get it sorted straight away. So he walks no more than 10m across the road to the garage that had undertaken work, an independent, the boss of this place comes to the counter and after a short discussion opens the service book and ticks the relevant box, signs it and hands the book to me. They clearly have a very cosy relationship with this garage, nothing wrong with that of course but naughty dealers could get stuff done that really hadn't been done. I casually asked the garage (well as matter of factly as I could without seeming suspicious) if they needed any special tools to change the DSG oil and they said that yes they did, that they had had to borrow the tool from the local Volkswagen garage. Some minor alarm bells started ringing, would VW really lent out their tools? Has the cam belt and the DSG oil really been changed?
Does anyone know how easy it is to check this please?
The other thing, after about 20 mins in the car I thought I'd check the engine oil, the oil was at the level but wasn't fresh oil, not black but half way between 'fresh' and 'definetely needing a change' (not a technical definition you understand!) but I'd been told that the car had had a recent service.
The dealer said that the garage must have just forgotten to tick that box and that he'd get it sorted straight away. So he walks no more than 10m across the road to the garage that had undertaken work, an independent, the boss of this place comes to the counter and after a short discussion opens the service book and ticks the relevant box, signs it and hands the book to me. They clearly have a very cosy relationship with this garage, nothing wrong with that of course but naughty dealers could get stuff done that really hadn't been done. I casually asked the garage (well as matter of factly as I could without seeming suspicious) if they needed any special tools to change the DSG oil and they said that yes they did, that they had had to borrow the tool from the local Volkswagen garage. Some minor alarm bells started ringing, would VW really lent out their tools? Has the cam belt and the DSG oil really been changed?
Does anyone know how easy it is to check this please?
The other thing, after about 20 mins in the car I thought I'd check the engine oil, the oil was at the level but wasn't fresh oil, not black but half way between 'fresh' and 'definetely needing a change' (not a technical definition you understand!) but I'd been told that the car had had a recent service.
In a diesel with 50K the oil will turn quite black with not a lot of running, so not really easy to tell. The belt - just have a look at it, does it look pristine, no cracks, all the print on the outside looking fresh - apart from a visual inspection no way to tell.
As for the DSG oil I'd imagine there's no real way to tell without dropping the oil out....you'd have to challenge them that you're not happy it was done and get them to agree to it being changed again at their cost by a garage of your choice...they'll tell you to chase yourself, but be very firm that when the car was handed over the box was ticked NO and see what can be done, but I'd suggest if it bothers you you'll end up paying for it to be done elsewhere.
As for the DSG oil I'd imagine there's no real way to tell without dropping the oil out....you'd have to challenge them that you're not happy it was done and get them to agree to it being changed again at their cost by a garage of your choice...they'll tell you to chase yourself, but be very firm that when the car was handed over the box was ticked NO and see what can be done, but I'd suggest if it bothers you you'll end up paying for it to be done elsewhere.
The fact that they knew you need special tools to do the job suggests they might have done it. It's not an easy job mind you and has a special procedure on the refill and you need about 7 litres of oil if I remember right. It's not a cheap job either it's about £150 at a VW dealer to do.
If you want to check, look around the drain plug on the bottom of the gearbox and see if it looks like it's been opened and look for signs of oil spills. There's a filter housing somewhere as well they need to change so you could look there as well. You'll probably need to remove the tray underneath the engine mind which isn't easy without a lift or stands
If you want to check, look around the drain plug on the bottom of the gearbox and see if it looks like it's been opened and look for signs of oil spills. There's a filter housing somewhere as well they need to change so you could look there as well. You'll probably need to remove the tray underneath the engine mind which isn't easy without a lift or stands
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