Hello all,

 

Just had a catastrophic failure of the rear diff on my 2008 Octavia 1.9 Tdi 4x4 with 44k miles.

 

Some background...

 

Been having an intermittent starting issue which has been getting progressively worse. AA previously called after non starting and identified issues with camshaft sensor and glow plugs, which was confirmed by the VW specialist who I took it to. While these were getting replaced I also requested a haldex oil change as this hadn't previously been done before (recommended at 40k). 

 

Picked the the car up on Thursday to take home (6 miles from home) and everything fine.  Didn't use on Friday. On Saturday started fine, but at about 100 miles into a journey heard a crunching noise and loss of power. Pulled over at the first opportunity and saw the heat shield at the rear hanging down and oil leaking out.  Called the AA who stated that the rear diff had cracked. 

 

After recovery back to local garage, got home and noticed an oil stain on the drive where the car was parked. 

 

To me this would suggest 'something' hasn't been done right during the haldex oil change e.g. Filler cap not replaced correctly, but where do I go from here? 

 

Have had had the car recovered to a local garage and not the garage who carried out the haldex oil change for an independent assessment, but does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this?

I'm no mechanic, but a blown diff after an oil change is not good sign. Until you get an answer from the garage that's looking at the car, think it's just a wait and see. 

2 hours ago, jockywilson said:

Hello all,

 

Just had a catastrophic failure of the rear diff on my 2008 Octavia 1.9 Tdi 4x4 with 44k miles.

 

Some background...

 

Been having an intermittent starting issue which has been getting progressively worse. AA previously called after non starting and identified issues with camshaft sensor and glow plugs, which was confirmed by the VW specialist who I took it to. While these were getting replaced I also requested a haldex oil change as this hadn't previously been done before (recommended at 40k). 

 

Picked the the car up on Thursday to take home (6 miles from home) and everything fine.  Didn't use on Friday. On Saturday started fine, but at about 100 miles into a journey heard a crunching noise and loss of power. Pulled over at the first opportunity and saw the heat shield at the rear hanging down and oil leaking out.  Called the AA who stated that the rear diff had cracked. 

 

After recovery back to local garage, got home and noticed an oil stain on the drive where the car was parked. 

 

To me this would suggest 'something' hasn't been done right during the haldex oil change e.g. Filler cap not replaced correctly, but where do I go from here? 

 

Have had had the car recovered to a local garage and not the garage who carried out the haldex oil change for an independent assessment, but does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this?

Makesure the indy garage where your vehicle is now makes a full detailed written report, also get them to take some photos's of any damage as well prefebly before any and during stripdown of components, it does sound as though the first garage has left something loose or not replaced the filter (if the heldex unit has a filter)properly. Make copys of all evidance and then speak to the first garage about getting back costs of repair or some kind of compensation. If uou don't get anywhere from this then threaten/take them to small claims court, if you win the case and they don't pay then the high court can step in for a fee of £65 to get whats due. Trading standards may help with any kind of court action aswell.

 

Any court action should be the very last resort though, always better to speak to the garage about any work that's gone wrong first.

Edited 8 April, 20179 yr by Ju1ian1001

My 2010 Octavia II 1.8TSI 4X4 suffered rear diff failure not long after a Haldex oil chamge but the 2 were unrelated.  I understand that the diff has an air breather hole on top and its oil vented through that hole resulting in the diff seizing some 120 miles into a holiday trip to Arran.  The extended warranty I had taken out paid for the replacement of the complete rear transmission, ie diff, Haldex drive and Haldex ECU.

Many thanks for the replies. Will get the local garage to complete a written report etc and take it from there. 

I have read reports of diffs being drained mistakenly during haldex oil services, and the haldex just topped up, probably not the case as the oil was on the ground. Mine is going in for a haldex pump this week which failed not long after the haldex service. 

It is easy to empty the diff rather than the Haldex unit. Could be they emptied the diff then filled it with the Haldex oil by mistake.  Not sure what the difference in volume is between the two, but it could have ended up with too much or too little oil.

the rear diff holds .925ltr of 75W-85 gear oil    the Haldex from memory is like hydraulic oil also called Haldex coupling oil which as far as I am aware is only from VAG sources  

Easy to mix up the 2 drain and refil plugs...........keep us informed of the outcome