Hello all, first time posting here.

 

My 2014 1.4tsi DSG octavia (DQ200) threw up a gearbox warning, with p17bf and p189c codes being pulled. Driving fine, but I haven't driven it since the codes popping up as a precaution. Looking in the engine bay, I can see mechatronics fluid on the plastic engine under-tray.

 

I bought the kinergo repair kit, and I'm wondering if this can be repaired DIY in-situ without removing the mechatronics unit (and preferably through the top, without needing to jack or lift the car). Is there adequate space in the Octavia 3 engine bay to pull this off? Just need to be able to get the mechatronics cover off and remove the old accumulator really.

 

I initially had someone lined up to do the work for me, but I'm not sure whether that'll work out now, and in Ireland the go-to solution seems to be to replace the mechatronics unit entirely. Need to get the car back on the road, so considering going DIY.

 

Alternatively, if there are any Irish users that have had someone fit this repair kit for them, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Please help 😭🙏

Yes it can be done in the car but it’s fiddly to get the main cover off.

 

The point of these kits is no need to remove the mech unit.

 

I believe there are quite a few videos on YouTube to demonstrate how it’s done 

Thanks for confirming. Yeah I've seen lots of videos of kit installation, but they all seem to show the mechatronics unit out of the car - none are Octavia 3 specific.

 

Any idea if I have to do it from under the car, or is it possible to move whatever pipes are in the way and do it from the top? Can't quite tell from a cursory glance not having done any work on this car before.

23 hours ago, i384 said:

Thanks for confirming. Yeah I've seen lots of videos of kit installation, but they all seem to show the mechatronics unit out of the car - none are Octavia 3 specific.

 

Any idea if I have to do it from under the car, or is it possible to move whatever pipes are in the way and do it from the top? Can't quite tell from a cursory glance not having done any work on this car before.

You’ll have to go under the car also. The fluid needs draining from the bottom also.

For anyone reading this and looking at doing the same job, coolant needs draining as part of this job as there's a coolant line in the way of the mechatronics sump being removed. Also the starter motor needs to come off to refill the mechatronics with oil.

 

Otherwise, car running fine since the kit was fitted - touch wood!

11 hours ago, i384 said:

For anyone reading this and looking at doing the same job, coolant needs draining as part of this job as there's a coolant line in the way of the mechatronics sump being removed. Also the starter motor needs to come off to refill the mechatronics with oil.

 

Otherwise, car running fine since the kit was fitted - touch wood!

Did you do it yourself in the end? If so, got any photos of the work?

No pics I'm afraid, I didn't have access to a lift so my mechanic did the work for me.

On 20/09/2023 at 07:47, i384 said:

No pics I'm afraid, I didn't have access to a lift so my mechanic did the work for me.

Hi,

I got the similar issue I guess. Could you kindly share with me what did you do to fix this problem and how much did it cost?

Lots of threads in the Mk2 Fabia section from those with vRS needing their DQ200,s done.

Someone posted £1,200 last week done in Glasgow.

 

It is pick a price any price, location location location and if you are treated like the Goose that lays the Golden Egg.

New / Refurbished MCU are a common discussion and plenty threads in the Fabia mk2 Section.  Some showing the invoice. 

 

So ask where you are getting the work done because what others paid in different locations means noting.   I know someone good and fair priced, but he is booked out for months.

The official fix is a new mechatronics unit which was about €1500-1800 fitted - what I did instead is order a kinergo 7.03 kit off eBay, with a new mechatronics sump, gasket and 1L of oil, and that was about €300 delivered, and then labour from my mechanic to fit it.  

 

I guess make sure first that the Kinergo kit would fix your issue - if it's just those 2 error codes, chances are it would.  

 

The reason I went for the kit is that new mechatronics units still have this issue that's pretty much unresolved (weak housing castings around the accumulator) - and the kit pretty much bypasses the weak part of the housing with the reinforced mounting plate you get, and supposedly provides a more robust accumulator.

 

Like toot above notes though, you're pretty much at the mercy of gearbox places if you need a new mechatronics. Apparently there's a backlog on getting them in too, so some people have had to wait to get their car fixed.

Edited 9 October, 20232 yr by i384

25 minutes ago, i384 said:

The official fix is a new mechatronics unit which was about €1500-1800 fitted - what I did instead is order a kinergo 7.03 kit off eBay, with a new mechatronics sump, gasket and 1L of oil, and that was about €300 delivered, and then labour from my mechanic to fit it.  

 

I guess make sure first that the Kinergo kit would fix your issue - if it's just those 2 error codes, chances are it would.  

 

The reason I went for the kit is that new mechatronics units still have this issue that's pretty much unresolved (weak housing castings around the accumulator) - and the kit pretty much bypasses the weak part of the housing with the reinforced mounting plate you get, and supposedly provides a more robust accumulator.

 

Like toot above notes though, you're pretty much at the mercy of gearbox places if you need a new mechatronics. Apparently there's a backlog on getting them in too, so some people have had to wait to get their car fixed.

I came to a garage and guy said seal is broken and he can re-seal it just for £120.. there is no engine light on or any problem of driving the car..So, I am guessing if he re-seals it, would the problem be sorted or I should ask him to take the gearbox down and look for metal part (accumulator) broken.

Edited 9 October, 20232 yr by automass

There isn't always a visible broken metal part, sometimes the housing has a hairline crack that will leak mechatronics fluid. How do you know that there's a problem if you have no lights? Is there a visible leak?

 

New gaskets + new oil could solve the issue, could be worth trying first I guess.

 

Just to clarify, usually with this issue it's the mechatronics housing around the accumulator that cracks due to the poor quality of the metal and the pressure in the unit - not the accumulator itself. Lots of videos on YouTube showing the issue if you search the error codes I noted originally.

Edited 9 October, 20232 yr by i384

40 minutes ago, automass said:

I came to a garage and guy said seal is broken and he can re-seal it just for £120.. there is no engine light on or any problem of driving the car..So, I am guessing if he re-seals it, would the problem be sorted or I should ask him to take the gearbox down and look for metal part (accumulator) broken.

You said in your other post you heard a clicking noise in reverse.

3 minutes ago, ords said:

You said in your other post you heard a clicking noise in reverse.

I thought it was coming from gear, but they said it is not related to gear. it could be driver shfat or brake, bearnign or something.

Edited 9 October, 20232 yr by automass

I've two options now..found a mobile guy in ebay who is expert on VAG,he can repair it with genuine parts and will charge me £650 including oil changing (1.7l) and if I want transmission oil changing then £160 extra (Do I need transmission oil changed for my car, opinion needed plz). 

Another option is just to seal it from my local garage for £120.. it's same garage who fixed my Engine oil leaking a year and half ago. 

 

This ebay guy said (after inspecting the pictures) that as it was leaking from the top, it needs proper seal and repair inside.

What kind of repair is the eBay guy offering? Just FYI the mechatronics unit in the dq200 takes 1L of oil, not 1.7

Mechatronic DSG DQ200 0CW 0AM 7 Speed Auto   Mobile repair service I come to you and carry out all repairs same day (booked prior)   Customer complaints and error codes:   *The gear shift indicator (“PRNDS”) on the dashboard will flash *The gearbox does not shift or looses drive completely *The car slips into neutral while driving and over revs *The car does not drive on initial start up and must wait for a few minutes *Fluid leakage from the Mechatronics and / or pressure loss *The car lost all drive while driving *Shaking / juddering in 1st gear and when changing into higher gears *Current gear / spanner flashes on dashboard *Flashing engine management light or PRNDS on dashboard *Clutch slip or banging on engagement   (Please note, you may experience some, but not all of the listed faults depending on the level of damage internally)   Fault codes:   * P17BF - Hydraulic pump system overload protection * P189C - Function restriction, due to insufficient pressure build up * P1895 - Function restriction due to pressure drop * P0841 - Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch “A” circuit range performance * 06079 - Hydraulic pump, play protection * 06300 - Function restriction, due to insufficient pressure build up * 06293 - Function restriction due to pressure drop * 17225 - Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch 1   Mechatronic Part Numbers affected: 0AM 927 769 D - 0AM927769D 0AM 927 769 K - 0AM927769K 0AM 927 769 G - 0AM927769G 0AM 325 025 D - 0AM325025D 0AM 325 025 H - 0AM325025H 0AM 325 065 N - 0AM325065N 0AM 325 025 J - 0AM325025J 0AM 325 065 L - 0AM325065L 0AM 325 065 S - 0AM325065S   Mechatronic and how they work:   The Mechatronic is attached to the gearbox and has its own oil circuit, independent of that of the actual gearbox. This means that the hydraulic part of the DSG 7 DQ200 has its own oil pump, valves and cylinders. These cylinders are directly connected to the shift forks and the clutch levers. The electro-hydraulic control unit incorporates an electrically driven hydraulic pump and an oil pressured accumulator, which together ensure that the system pressure in the control unit remains adequate for seamless gear shift and clutch operation. In order to provide the Mechatronic with the necessary information, the TCM receives information from a number of sensors. Almost all of these sensors are built into the TCM. However, on first generation Mechatronic the speed sensor is located outside.   Total cost from £650 includes: * Diagnostic * Parts and labour * Mechatronics repair using new parts * Mechatronic service using genuine oil * Relearn clutch points & adaptations etc   Maintenance service or diagnostic: * Mechatronics maintenance service £150 * Diagnostic £100   Vehicles covered: * Volkswagen * Audi * Skoda * Seat   Please note: engine size 2.0 litre and above are NOT fitted with this mechatronics.   Engine sizes that are fitted with this mechatronics are: 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 1.9   (This includes both petrol and diesel)   Please note: London, Essex, Kent and within M25 is included in the price listed, outside of these areas is an additional £100 charge to cover travel cost and time. All repairs comes with 12 months warranty parts and labour)

Edited 9 October, 20232 yr by automass

2 hours ago, i384 said:

What kind of repair is the eBay guy offering? Just FYI the mechatronics unit in the dq200 takes 1L of oil, not 1.7

Are you sure? I checked on-line and everywhere it says 1.7ltrs. anyway, I'll go back to the owners manual to be sure.

 

N.B: check the above for the service that mobile guy (ebay) offers.

Edited 10 October, 20232 yr by automass

I believe the gearbox takes 1.7L of oil, the mechatronics unit takes 1L  

 

The mechatronic oil seems to come in 1L packs.

Edited 10 October, 20232 yr by ords

I posted a reply yesterday but it seems to be hidden and requires approval for whatever reason, so I'm going to drop it in here for further info. @automass, it's hard to know what the issue might be if you are not getting any very clear issues or error codes. The fixes being proposed by the eBay seller seem like a bit of a catch all? For example issues selecting the reverse gear can be to do with a completely different part to the one I swapped in my case. Just fyi.

 

Quote

There isn't always a visible broken metal part, sometimes the housing has a hairline crack that will leak mechatronics fluid. How do you know that there's a problem if you have no lights? Is there a visible leak?

 

New gaskets + new oil could solve the issue, could be worth trying first I guess.

 

Just to clarify, usually with this issue it's the mechatronics housing around the accumulator that cracks due to the poor quality of the metal and the pressure in the unit - not the accumulator itself. Lots of videos on YouTube showing the issue if you search the error codes I noted originally.

 

1 minute ago, i384 said:

I posted a reply yesterday but it seems to be hidden and requires approval for whatever reason, so I'm going to drop it in here for further info. @automass, it's hard to know what the issue might be if you are not getting any very clear issues or error codes. The fixes being proposed by the eBay seller seem like a bit of a catch all? For example issues selecting the reverse gear can be to do with a completely different part to the one I swapped in my case. Just fyi.

 

 

Mea culpa.

 

just noticed one our spam / bad bot checks is being a little over sensitive. It’s picking up airline in hairline

 

we’re in need of some extra help as we’re down a few folk, so moderation checks, things like this, slip and take a little longer.

 

apologies for the delay. 

6 minutes ago, i384 said:

I posted a reply yesterday but it seems to be hidden and requires approval for whatever reason, so I'm going to drop it in here for further info. @automass, it's hard to know what the issue might be if you are not getting any very clear issues or error codes. The fixes being proposed by the eBay seller seem like a bit of a catch all? For example issues selecting the reverse gear can be to do with a completely different part to the one I swapped in my case. Just fyi.

 

 

 

I was really expecting your reply. I am totally confused myself with zero knowledge of mechatronics. Intially ebay guy said it will cost me £260 to re-seal (with new oil) and once i sent him the pictures and video he said, as it is leaking from the top, it needs repair or probably changing some componenets inside which will cost me £650 all together (cash), but interesting thing is he is not gonna take the mechatron out. he will work from under the car. I really need honest opinion.. and I can not trust the local guy who will charge £120. Last time he fixed my engine oilsump for £160 and he said he changed the sump but he couldn't provide me the parts. I don't know what he really did. Well, oil sump was fixed and no problem at all.

2 hours ago, automass said:

 

I was really expecting your reply. I am totally confused myself with zero knowledge of mechatronics. Intially ebay guy said it will cost me £260 to re-seal (with new oil) and once i sent him the pictures and video he said, as it is leaking from the top, it needs repair or probably changing some componenets inside which will cost me £650 all together (cash), but interesting thing is he is not gonna take the mechatron out. he will work from under the car. I really need honest opinion.. and I can not trust the local guy who will charge £120. Last time he fixed my engine oilsump for £160 and he said he changed the sump but he couldn't provide me the parts. I don't know what he really did. Well, oil sump was fixed and no problem at all.

If he fixed the sump for what you must have thought a fair price and its been problem free, why don't you trust him? Could be many reasons why he couldn't show you the old parts. Did you say beforehand you want to see the old parts? Did he say how he would fix the sump?

 

As you're not experiencing any problems with the gearbox or getting any fault codes, I'd go with the £120 repair.

 

 

No stress at all @ColinD 👍

 

+1 on the above, I'd try cheapest repair first before sinking 650 quid into a fix you don't know much about, especially if there are no warning lights. I'd ask your mechanic to read the codes while he's at it to see if there's anything stored? Working under the car and not removing the mechatronics may well be the fix I had done though, in relation to the eBay guy.

 

I'm based in Dublin but coincidentally I came across two guys on YouTube in my research - one by Heathrow and another in Harrow that fit these accumulator kits. 

 

Again it's completely up to you, but maybe it's best to try diagnose the issue first before going with a fix, or even get the mobile repair guy to do a diagnostic first. Leaking out the top of the unit suggests it might be coming out of the breather, which could be a cracked mechatronics housing - but then you'd get a gearbox error and codes to go with it.

Edited 10 October, 20232 yr by i384