haldex Haldex filter & oil change

[vborovic]

Received today - this is what I've purchased, and it should be the correct kit for the 4th Gen Haldex.

 

[vborovic]

Completed the Haldex oil and filter change today, no major issues ... apologies for not taking the photo of the new oil, in case you're wondering, it is transparent and yellowish (with a tiny bit of green ... maybe like a subtle transparent+lime color) ... after preparing everything, I went under the car (used two regular car jacks, some 35 cm ground clearance), and then I first checked whether or not I can remove the existing bolts ... the two Haldex filter ones came our without issues, but both the filler plug and drain plug bolts were heavily corroded, it was impossible to take them off by regular means ... for the filler plug, I've managed to use a swedish monkey/pipe wrench, just to grip the protruding part of the bolt and loosen it that way ... for the drain plug, I had to force in a slightly larger Allen key with a hammer, and then I've managed to get it to unfasten ... this is when I dropped the idea to re-use the bolts, and went to the dealer (10 minutes drive) to pick up the new drain and plug bolts ( 5.5 GBP both) - note to others, don't make shortcuts here, prepare new bolts, because there is very little chance that the existing bolts will be re-usable ... after returning to the car, I've unfastened the Haldex filter bolts, and removed the metal filter cap, but left it on the bolts, just in case ... in to the car, VCDS, engaged the Haldex, and after returning below the car, the white pre-filter element came out nicely half way (it was stopped by the metal cap) ... removed the cap and used the combination pliers to remove it ... the black filter was a challenge, managed to use regular tweezers to pull it out ... I don't know the situation on other cars, me having a 3.6 engine, I guess the exhaust pipes are somewhat larger and closer to the Haldex than on other cars (checked few other cars for reference), which made this slightly more difficult ... after removing the filter, I've cleaned the filter opening, removed the drain plug and let the oil go ... it was very slow (as expected) and then I've removed the drain plug to enable faster flow (the flow tripled) ... after that was done, I've attached the hose (a hand pump, but it didn't work as planned, so I've switched to a larger syringe - without the needle of course) ... I've first used a small amount of new oil to do a simple flush (at this point, the drain plug and the Haldex filter cap are still not in place), and after using some 10 ml of oil, I've put the new drain plug in place, and inserted the new Haldex filter in its housing (the black cylinder) ... now, the white filter element that comes on top is the trickiest bit, and will require some force ... I actually used a small hammer, and gave it a few bumps before it squeezed in place .. it is literally air-tight, whoever designed the thing) ... after putting the metal cap and tightening the bolts, I've proceeded with the oil transfer, until it was spilling out of the drain plug (and it is some 0,68 liters of oil) ... filler plug in place, cleaned the extra oil which was on the Haldex and rear differential, and took VCDS, activated the Haldex clutch - no issues, and it engaged (be prepared to hear some very weird noises first two or three times, until the bubbles in the oil - if any remained - settle down, or the filter gets filled with oil). It took me a bit longer to do, I wanted to take my time to inspect everything ... if you have everything at your disposal and had everything properly planned, you can literally complete the job within half an hour ... in my case, I don't know when was the last time the Haldex oil had been changed, and whether or not the filter had been replaced (which I highly doubt it had been), but the Haldex was fully functional, no errors or slippage (and I hope with this done, it will stay that way) ... photos will follow.

Edited 26 September, 2018 by vborovic

[TasMan]

Glad all went to plan.  I would consider having a go at this myself but don't have VCDS to activate the pump.  I imagine that provided everything was fitted correctly and oil levels correct then it would self bleed as you drove along ?  (just an assumption!)

Its amazing how may so called VAG specialists do not acknowledge the filter being there, let alone Skoda themselves.  I was at my local dealer the other day to get a price for a battery and while there asked about the Haldex pump, oil and filter.  They brought up the diagram on their parts system and there was no mention of the filter.  I had a print out from a website showing the filter location and a picture of the filter and they basically dismissed it was there as the chassis number on my car showed no filter was present.  I was also speaking to another indy VAG specialist yesterday and the only filter they recognised was the strainer on the end of the pump despite my elaboration on the subject and reference to websites already mentioned on these forums.  Seems they don't want to know......!  The emissions scandal tops the tree, but the 'Haldex filter farce' is slowly picking up pace.....!!!

[vborovic]

15 minutes ago, TasMan said:

I would consider having a go at this myself but don't have VCDS to activate the pump

 

It is optional, you could pull the white pre-filter element when it is in place (maybe a bit more difficult, but it will come out with a proper tool, no worries)

 

15 minutes ago, TasMan said:

I imagine that provided everything was fitted correctly and oil levels correct then it would self bleed as you drove along ?

 

It would, but it is better to check that while stationary and with the engine off, else you won't easily hear what the Haldex clutch is doing (or if it is actually doing anything at all)

Edited 26 September, 2018 by vborovic

[vborovic]

 

 

[TasMan]

1 hour ago, vborovic said:

 

It is optional, you could pull the white pre-filter element when it is in place (maybe a bit more difficult, but it will come out with a proper tool, no worries)

 

It would, but it is better to check that while stationary and with the engine off, else you won't easily hear what the Haldex clutch is doing (or if it is actually doing anything at all)

Thanks, yes I noticed someone using a heated up screwdriver to melt the plastic to then pull the white element out.  It was more the second point that concerns me about not having VCDS, as you say it would be better to test with the engine off in an ideal situation.

 

Pictures are great and illustrate the process well, quite a lot of debris in the oil but it will certainly be good for a few more miles now.  This is another good thread to point to people who don't know about the 'non-existent' filter....!

[vborovic]

9 hours ago, TasMan said:

quite a lot of debris in the oil

 

Some of it comes from the exterior housing, but a part of it definitely came from inside the filter.

 

9 hours ago, TasMan said:

This is another good thread to point to people who don't know about the 'non-existent' filter....!

 

Take a good look, it really isn't there ...

 

After further examining the photos and the old Haldex filter metal cover, I've concluded that it was never removed/changed, because the dirt and the silt that was under the entire differential is just too perfect on all the external exposed parts. On the following photo, the black something that is on the paper came out after banging the black filter housing on the floor, meaning, that whatever it is is also circulating within the Haldex system, or at least, within the filter, making more stress to the component.

 

 

What is worrying is that the bolts can be easily corroded and rendered unusable for the required tools (my car is now 10 years old). Shown below are the fill plug (left one, shorter) and the drain plug (right one, much much longer)

 

 

[imart143]

which thread size is on boths bolts?

on drain  plug i think is standard M8, but fill plug is different, can you measure it?

thanks.

 

edit, you highlighted in manual, thanks.

 

Edited 27 September, 2018 by imart143

[TasMan]

Purely for the benefit of anyone else seeking info on the subject, here is the conclusion to my Haldex experience (in case it isn't picked up in your search) which shows the likely state of your pump strainer and filter if Skoda are the only company carrying out your Haldex maintenance....!