How do I know whether my 4x4 / Haldex is working properly?

[sandspider]

Cheers.

 

Just been quoted £190 just to clean the filter! Might have a go myself at that money.

[Twrecks]

Do it yourself. following that thread, I drained the oil, cleaned the filter and refilled with oil. took about an hour once I had the car on stands. Used VCDS to clear the fault code. Done over 30K Km since without an issue. If you have the tools and an oil pump its pretty straight forward.

[sandspider]

Just spoken to another independent Skoda specialist garage, and they're convinced that my car doesn't have a filter!

 

Think I have most of the tools, just a bit lacking in time!

[Twrecks]

There is no replacement filter available from VAG. But the filter that's in the Haldex unit can removed and cleaned.

I suspect VAG did away with the replaceable filter as a way to increase business by forcing you to buy a new and expensive part when the internal filter becomes blocked.

[sandspider]

A bit confusing, this - some people say Gen 4 haldex has no (accessible) filter. Some say it has one that can be cleaned but not replaced, as here:

 

And some say it has a filter than can be replaced, e.g. https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/shop/filters/generation-gen-4-filter-kit-vw-audi-seat-skoda/

 

I've found an independent who say they can clean it, but it took quite a lot of toing and froing and them getting in touch with Skoda, so I'm not sure it's something he's done before. Doesn't inspire confidence, though a cost of around £50 is a lot better than £190! If I had a ramp I'd be tempted to have a go myself, but axle stands on the drive doesn't sound like much fun.

[mikey vrs]

I did mine,its a easy job to do,im sure any decent mechanic can do it no problem,its just undo fill plug & remove then undo drain plug & drain off old oil,undo 2 bolts securing pump & release the clip holding the loom in place & wiggle pump out & rest on exhaust,remove filter from end of pump & clean then re fit & refit pump & clip loom back into position,re fit drain plug & fill up with oil until it runs out of fill hole then road test car then re check & top up oil level & thats it.Just make sure the mechanic doesnt touch the drain or re fill plugs on the rear diff as the haldex drain plug isnt as obvious as the rear diff drain plug. Mine maybe slightly different though as mine is the later haldex but i doubt there is much difference. This is the reference i used for the drain & re fill points (not 100% sure if same as your but may help).

Edited 27 March, 2018 by mikey vrs

[sandspider]

Thanks Mikey

 

Doesn't sound too bad if you can get under the car. Wonder if I could hire a ramp... I slightly fear making a start on it then finding out that my Haldex version matches the version on the haldexrepairs website and I need VCDS (which I don't have) to eject the filter, and can't go any further.

[mark999]

Haldex 4 Filter from my 2010 140pd Scout. 8 years old, 33k miles. Fluid changed by dealer at 4 years old.

unfortunately they managed damage a seal so il have to wait till Monday to pick it up.

[sandspider]

That doesn't look good!

 

I thought that as you have a 2010 scout you'd have the filter that can't be removed, just cleaned... Mine's going back to the garage on Tuesday for them to have a go at cleaning the filter.

[mark999]

I think we need a skicky on the Haldex issues.

The Gen 4 Haldex has a filter (not listed by Skoda) that can be replaced.

The Gen 5 Haldex has a non removable filter, which that can be cleaned

Dealers and indeed some specialists do not routinely change or clean these filters.

[sandspider]

Agreed on the sticky, but it doesn't seem to be that clear cut. Tmg's post I linked earlier has a filter that can be cleaned, and his car is 2012 (gen 4). Mine is 2011 (gen 4), and I think it has the cleanable filter, not the replaceable one...

 

It doesn't help that Skoda themselves don't know, so when anyone asks them they say no filter to either gen 4 or gen 5.

[sandspider]

Right. Mine is gen 4, and can't be cleaned - it does require a replacement filter, and apparently a garage with VCDS even to get the filter out. Bugger.

 

Can anyone recommend a garage in the Bristol area that is familiar with these cars and can do a proper gen 4 filter change? I'll start a new topic as this one is going a bit off course!