Dear all,

 

Most of us folk with Haldex5 - know that (after reading postings here and elsewhere on the Internet) - that VW group garages are *only* doing HALDEX oil changes at around 40k miles instead of actually taking the pump out, cleaning or replacing the filter, fitting two new O-Rings and then refilling the HALDEX system.  In my quest to educate my local Skoda Garage, we eventually got to a point where I have now told the garage how to do this job - properly.  

 

In the usual madness that is VW group, they advocate that they will only change the oil - but not touch the pump and filter.  This is the equivalent process of changing your oil but not your filter.  The upshot is that you could have nice clean oil in your HALDEX, but the HALDEX system would fail to activate due to a blocked filter (and that all the crud that builds up on the filter will be deposited back into the HALDEX mechanism).  If the block filter continues, you will end up with a failed pump.

 

Therefore, as from today (03/12/20), West End Skoda in Edinburgh will performed a FULL Haldex service for £148.20 for any customers who want this service (you have to ask for it).  I have been the guinea pig and they are happy now to perform this work.  It is perceived wisdom that the first HALDEX service should be done as close to 20k miles as possible - not at 40k miles. 

 

I was satisfied to say that the oil colour and state of the filter was very poor (prior to change); I don't even do that much off-roading, so I would recommend customers who have a 4x4 Haldex system to get this done on or near the 2nd service (and every 20k miles afterwards).

 

You will also be satisfied that the work will also attract the standard Skoda 2 year warranty.  Result.

 

 

Whilst thats good news, thats nearly double what I paid for my Haldex oil change at my local Audi specialist  on my Octavia Scout 3 - They perform that exact service as standard (whilst appreciating your on a 19 plate car so would probably use main dealer till warranty expires).

Good to know I saved £100 by DIY at start of November. I might reward myself at Xmas! Definitely needed the Haldex system today: “ thunder snow” , all working very well. Need new tyres tho’

 

At the same time I posted the original posting, an interesting YouTube video came out showing the process of servicing the HALDEX system.

 

https://youtu.be/2pUXkDXt1cw

 

VW Group Dealerships were several years back doing Haldex Services correctly or in correctly at 40,000 miles.

 

VW changed that to @ 3 years, then eventually Skoda did as well.

 

The interval is not 40,000 unless that is what you have done at 3 years old.

Even 3 years and 30,000 miles can have a gummed up filter in the pump.

Under heavy use we've seen the filters blocked after as little as 15k miles. 

 

The change interval at audi on certain models was 3 years with no mileage mentioned. I saw an S1 grenade it's haldex unit at 50k. It smashed the housing to bits and actually caught fire 🤯