MArk 4 Golf 1.8T servicing questions

[bracken78]

Hi all,

My 2003 Golf 1.8T is due a service in a couple of months. There are a couple of points I’m not to sure on and am hoping someone might be able to help with a couple of pointers as the car is now 7 years old and I plan to keep it for a long time.

1) Should I change the oil in the gear box as this has never been done?
2) Should the radiator coolant be changed, it is still clean and clear other than being pink which I guess is the colour it should be?

The cam belt has been changed at 4 years so another one is due next year and as that will be expensive I’m just trying to spread the costs.

Thank you in advance.

[Dr G]

According to VW the gearbox is 'sealed for life' but it's good practice to change it once the car has done some miles. Purely as a bit of preventative maintenance.

Coolant I don't know if there is a set interval. Part of a service is to check the condition and concentration anyway.

[bracken78]

Thank you for your reply Dr G. I'll have the garage check the coolant once they have the car and make a call after this. Still not sure on the Gearbox though. I used to change it in my old Land rovers and just can't see how could be sealed for life. Think I'll get it changed anyway.

[Dr G]

I would

[MonkeyHanger]

Assuming it's the proper VAG Longlife (Pink) Anti-freeze, i believe they suggest 5 years between changes. Personally, i'd do it a bit more frequently.

[tylerama]

I had the gearbox oil in my 1.8T box changed about 18 months ago on the advice of a close mate who runs a gearbox workshop (French gearboxes are very bad apparently ), the difference it makes is amazing. A mate of mine does his every 12 months, £15 is the price of a take away pizza, eh ! It flushes it through, including if the gears have ever been crunched and any machining swarf from new.

Also, deffo do coolant and oil regularly, I do oil every six months mileage dependant - have a fumoto drain valve (Google it) which makes it ten times easier and coolant every year, dead easy too. I'm a relative car diy numpty and I can manage it, so everyone can.

[tylerama]

I think they say it's sealed for life becausethere is no combustion in the grearbox so it shouldn't get that dirty and really need changing, but as I said above for the sake of £15 and 45 mins, it's worth it.

[tylerama]

FYI - had my cambelt done last week and all in came to about £320 - but that was with a parts discount via a mate who works for TPS - the VW parts network and I used a local independent VW specialists, too.