--- In ev_update@..., "Ted Maloney" <freecycle@...> wrote:
I took my 2001 EV-GLS to AAMCO yeasterday and they changed the fluid,
...
Well, they charged me $247 plus tax, up from the original quoted
price of $155 due to the more expensive fluid. My actual bill is
something like this: $155 for fluid & flush, $150 for the labor, -
$50 discount. Of course, I was told of metal in the pan, but "not
too much, but you better keep an eye on it". It can go quick.
....
After driving around for awhile yesterday, the delay when switching
to reverse is better, but still there. I don't trust this guy,
really. I think he added more to my bill because of the special
fluid, but he added too much....a bait & switch kinda thing. Now my
questions:
How many quarts of ATF are required to flush & fill this
transmission?
...
OK, very simple - take the van in and have them physically show you
how they hooked up their hoses to do the flush and fill on your VW
tranny, how much fluid it took to complete the flush, and which of
their flush machines they keep full of synthetic fluid. This is a
trivial process on a tranny with external lines or pump ports (which
you don't have). I have never met a shop that could afford to have a
flush machine specifically for full synthetic flushes. Thus they will
recommend you use Dextron and do frequent changes, which will work
fine in applications NOT exceeding 230F. By using my tranny cooler
ports I found the flush was not complete in 6 qts, and fluid became
blended. Shops said it took copious amounts of fluid to get a complete
flush, and they would only do a pan 'drop and drain' on my
application. I didn't use a VW dealer tho they will gladly help you
out and you can count on them doing it correctly. ;-) My quotes for
'drop and drain' (no flush / pump) were from $200 to $380 as I
traveled from Dallas (where I picked up this used rig) to SF during a
few months leisurely trip. (they all wanted $30-$40 / L for Pentosin
and $80 - $100/ hr for 2 hrs labor (typical prices). I finally mailed
my $8./ L pentosin and a $30 filter change kit from my local VW
jobber, and found a shaded parking lot to change it myself; recycled
the oil at Walmart and was on my way in an hr.
Any metal 'particles' on the pan magnet is bad, I've only seen metal
'dust' in my VW and Chrysler tranny applications, you just get a dirty
rag from cleaning magnet, no discernible particles. There are some
great pics on-line of 'furry' particles on magnets from trashed
trannies, including VW. I would not expect a fluid change to improve
a mechanical ailment, tho it can improve smooth operation and pump noise.
If AAMCO actually performed a full flush, it is reasonable the
additional discarded synthetic oil cost the $100, over and above your
$155 quote, especially if they had to change out the reservoir and
filters in their pumping machine. Just go have a chat with them, no
accusations or defensiveness, just have them explain their process.
you will both walk away happy. (I hope)
