2007 Audi A6 3.0TDI quattro 6 spd manual transmission & rear differential oil change

[aw911]

Hi

I'm a newbie to the forum so please forgive my first proper post for being a request for info.

There is a lot of info in relation to the automatic transmission fluid + filter change but nothing in relation to the manual transmission on these vehicles.

The car in question is a 2007 model A6 AVANT S-Line Le Mans Quattro 3.0 TDI

From what I understand the correct spec of gearbox oil is fully synthetic 75w90 grade meeting GL5 spec.

Totals seem to be 3.2 litres for gearbox and 1.0 litres for the rear diff - and that the manual g/box is not fill to spill rather should sit 2mm +/-1mm below fill point.

I also understand that Audi say that these are sealed for life gearboxes and that you will never need to change the oil - however, whilst I am aware of this I don't think that a gearbox which has covered nearly 160k miles would not benefit from an oil change - particularly as I have seen other 'sealed for life' gearboxes that when drained had pretty grubby oil.

Has anyone carried this job out as a DIY and could they provide any further guidance/pointers please? I have conducted numerous searches on the tech forum and A6/C6 model forum of the Audizine website but so far haven't been able to come up with anything.

All help and advice are appreciated.

Many thanks and of course Merry Christmas to you all.

[Treedancer72]

Merry xmas and welcome. As my tdi is a tiptronic i cant really help you but my gearbox is also supposed to have lifetime oil but the manufactor, zf says it should be 60000 km between changes so thats what i did to mine.
Best
/ Marcus

[SinCityA6]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new car. Unfortunately, this forum is dominated by Yanks and your spec of A6 was never offered up here in the states so the information you seek my be hard to find in this forum. However, the 6MT is a popular tranny in the A4 forums here on Audizine so you may search those forums for info that may help you.

[aw911]

I did wonder about the fact that being predominantly USA their would be a huge proportion of automatic users and also petrol engines - as the 'stick' is not so popular and regular petrol is so ridiculously cheap in the states (by comparison to the UK) - but figured that there must be some other manual transmission users on the forum.

Thanks for the swift replies to my first post - do you happen to know if the Audi A4 Quattro uses the identical 6 speed manual transmission as the A6 Quattro? If so then I'll do some searching on the A4 subforum.

Cheers

[KAL]

What I wouldn't give for a 6spd 4.2 A6 or the 3.0 T for that matter!!!

[somedude]

I did wonder about the fact that being predominantly USA their would be a huge proportion of automatic users and also petrol engines - as the 'stick' is not so popular and regular petrol is so ridiculously cheap in the states (by comparison to the UK) - but figured that there must be some other manual transmission users on the forum.

Thanks for the swift replies to my first post - do you happen to know if the Audi A4 Quattro uses the identical 6 speed manual transmission as the A6 Quattro? If so then I'll do some searching on the A4 subforum.

Cheers

there would be if audi was not so bone headed and would bring a a6 with a manual and or a diesel to the USA. 2013 was the first time a diesel a6 and a8 have come to the US. It is my understanding that the A4 and A6 use the same gearbox. The gearing is different for the TDI but that should not effect what you are doing. pull the drian plug and let the fluid drain. Replace drian plug. fill new fluid in through the fill plug to spec.

edit:L I have been doing a ton of research to bring in a 4.2 TDI A8 to replce my W12. I absolutely LOVE my A8 but the fuel economy is what you would expect it to be for having 12 cylinders. I love the car but want good economy, and the TDI is the only answer to that problem. The 4.2 gas engine gets about the same mpg as my W12 around town so it would make no sense to downgrade in power for similar fuel cost.

[Bopster6]

Great model and year motor you have there.
As mentioned you won't find many tdi members here but very helpful friendly place all the same.
I'm also over on vwaf which is where you'll find loads more of us 3.0tdi boys

330-350bhp/450-500lbsft
3.0tdi hybrid turbo, decat, improved intercooling

[D's Avant]

there would be if audi was not so bone headed and would bring a a6 with a manual and or a diesel to the USA. 2013 was the first time a diesel a6 and a8 have come to the US. It is my understanding that the A4 and A6 use the same gearbox. The gearing is different for the TDI but that should not effect what you are doing. pull the drian plug and let the fluid drain. Replace drian plug. fill new fluid in through the fill plug to spec.

Only thing I would add is to make sure you can get the fill plug removed first before draining the fluid. On my B5 Avant, all I did was remove the fill plug first, then the drain plug and the fluid. Replaced the drain plug and filled until fluid came out of the fill plug. You can kind of see in the fill plug hole and see that the fluid level is even with the threads to just coming out. Pretty simple really and helped the shifting on mine back in the day.

Damn, I still miss that car and the manual trans...

[mrmule]

Hi

I'm a newbie to the forum so please forgive my first proper post for being a request for info.

There is a lot of info in relation to the automatic transmission fluid + filter change but nothing in relation to the manual transmission on these vehicles.

The car in question is a 2007 model A6 AVANT S-Line Le Mans Quattro 3.0 TDI

From what I understand the correct spec of gearbox oil is fully synthetic 75w90 grade meeting GL5 spec.

Totals seem to be 3.2 litres for gearbox and 1.0 litres for the rear diff - and that the manual g/box is not fill to spill rather should sit 2mm +/-1mm below fill point.

I also understand that Audi say that these are sealed for life gearboxes and that you will never need to change the oil - however, whilst I am aware of this I don't think that a gearbox which has covered nearly 160k miles would not benefit from an oil change - particularly as I have seen other 'sealed for life' gearboxes that when drained had pretty grubby oil.

Has anyone carried this job out as a DIY and could they provide any further guidance/pointers please? I have conducted numerous searches on the tech forum and A6/C6 model forum of the Audizine website but so far haven't been able to come up with anything.

All help and advice are appreciated.

Many thanks and of course Merry Christmas to you all.

Hi! I'm not far from you - in Kent in fact. I've just got back from picking up my manual 2006 3.0tdi quattro also, and want to do a gear oil change. I just did one on my manual B5 A4 about 3 weeks ago and was super easy, but having also had an auto and CVT in my time, I am not sure if on this latest beast, there are computers involved in filling them up with fresh stuff. Have you got any further on your search yet aw911? I strongly suspect its as simple as has already been mentioned - open filler bung, drain out old, top up with new, nip up both bungs - done.

[aw911]

Hi everyone - thanks for the friendly welcome and advice/comments in relation to my enquiry.

The advice to look at the A4 forums was really helpful - loads of people have done manual transmission gearbox and diff oil changes on the A4 and there are some good write-ups on the internet forums in relation to this.

I have the technical manual for the A6 and there is the info in relation to the fluid spec and quantities for the manual transmission and the diff; I am just going to jack the vehicle up onto 4 axle stands and then get myself underneath, verify where the fill and drain points are and then get to work on changing the fluids. Fill point first and then drain and measure oil quantity drained just for additional comfort that the quantities are correct (although can't see the manual being incorrect).

Have already ordered 5 litres of the correct spec transmission oil and I have oil suction/priming pump to fill them. Will probably take some pics and then post up some info to help anyone else looking for this info in the future. As far as I'm aware there is no need to involve computers for a refill of the manual transmission - but I am definitely going to invest in the Ross-tech diagnostic kit.

Great cars - nice to see a few UK owners also on the forum; really loving the car and have completed a full service (oil change, oil, air, fuel and pollen filters) and upgraded the standard lightbulbs with some nightbreakers (may consider a HID upgrade in the future). Loving the driving experience - so much smooth power available and really capable cars.

Happy new year to you all.

[aw911]

Hi - just to update - completed the rear diff oil change and the manual transmission fluid change as the afternoon was not forecasting rain or 70mph winds!!

My rear Diff quantity was wrong in my 1st post - should read 1.5 litres in the rear diff (as it is the 01R ETS diff)

Jacked up all four corners and used spirit level to get pretty level.

Removed front and rear fill plugs (10mm hex/allen head socket)

Removed front and rear drains (10mm hex/allen socket) - drained off approx 1.3l from rear and 3.1 litres from g/box - pretty dark in colour.

Refitted drain plugs - torque to 40Nm

Filled rear diff with 1.5 l

Filled g/box with 3.2 l

Millers Fully synthetic 75w90 transmission oil

Refitted fill plugs + torque to 40Nm.

Been for a drive - all seems ok

[mrmule]

Thanks for the update aw. I am surprised to learn that the drain bung on the gearbox isn't a security splined/torx bolt. I had to buy one to do my '97 A4. Would have put money on Audi using the same one for a much newer A6.

Where did you get the Millers? OpieOils?

What do you think about tilting the car up at the front for filling the gearbox, and tilting up at the rear for the rear diff in order to squeeze a little extra oil in both??

(I also took advantage of this afternoon and did the ARB drop links) :)

[b8audis4]

Welcome!

[aw911]

Hi Mr Mule

The manual is really specific about the gearbox being level for filling... apparently it is really 'sensitive' to overfilling. Spec is to 2mm +/- 1mm below lip on main g/box.

Rear diff is fill to spill - again you want it to be level. I can't see putting in extra oil would be of any benefit unless you had a leak? Jacking the front and rear independently would mean you may not drain all the oil and real risk of overfilling.

I used a measuring jug to get the right amounts and the used a oil pump to put it into the gearbox as there is no other easy way to do it when you're on your back under the car!!

ARB links a fairly common failure on the A6 I understand - certainly wouldn't have wanted to do the work today you would have needed a snorkel.

Millers came from Opie - I've used the millers products before and Opie are pretty consistent on delivery and price.

[naughtydawg]

Hi there, i've just changed my Gearbox and rear diff oil in my b7 A4 3.0tdi quattro, I used fully synthetic 75w90 oil. 3.2L went in the gearbox and 1.5L went in the rear diff. The fill and drain plug both take a 10mm allen key. The fill plug on the gear box is on the left side of the gearbox (N/S if you're in the UK), just in front of the left drive shaft. The fill plug on the rear diff is on the right (O/S if you're in the UK), just behind the rear-right drive shaft. I took the exhaust/driveshaft heat shield off for easier access. Once raised I drained, I used a clean oil can with bundy tubing on the end (approx 10 inches) and "thumb-pumped" the oil up and into it. The oil was dark brown/black whereas the new stuff is pretty much transparent. My car was at 75'000 when I decided to do it and now gear changes are so much smoother!!