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Haldex Oil and Filter - Filter for life?

8K views 106 replies 15 participants last post by  ScoTTS... 
#1 ·
Morning all,

Apologies in advance for not bumping an old thread, I'm in a bit of rush...and pickle. We all know the debacle with Audi claiming there is no need to change the Haldex filer on some of the newer cars. Long story short I booked my TTS in for various work including haldex oil and filter several weeks ago. I've spoken to several members of staff since and they have all stated that they can change the filter according to my registration. Anyway I have dropped the car off this morning and I bought up the haldex filter. Have a guess at what they said. It's a filter for life. Anyway I even spoke to one of the techs and they said they will have a look and call me and also send me the Audi cam footage. He stated if they can change they wiil. I will call Audi UK in the meantime although I have already spoken to them in between booking the car and today.

I suppose my question is where do I stand? If they are adamant it's a metal filter for life is it worth me taking the car somewhere else? Or will another garage tell me the same and cannot /will not change the filter? Car registered July 2009.

Many thanks in advance.

Scott
 
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#27 ·
ScoTTS... said:
Thanks all much appreciated. I know it's awkward to see but the below is the comparison. The second picture for the procedure for the G4 just has metal cover removed exposing the plastic bung. The AudiCam footage 'seems' to show some sort of filter housing next to the haldex.
Tough to tell from that angle but that looks more like the gen4 cover plate.
 
#28 ·
Thanks John. Similar thoughts also, especially considering the age of the vehicle and Audi's lack of enthusiasm to change the part. The indentations on the side of the cover look very similar to the G4 in my opinion. Mad thing is my car was up on the ramp a few days ago to get a better look at the rear shocks. Being generally interested I was looking under the car for a good 10 mins nosing around the different parts. I even remember looking at the silver Haldex plate which I now know is the controller.

Question to all. Does anyone know of a company that will change the G4 filter within or around the Midlands area? I'm more than happy to purchase the parts, and I could even get the haldex oil change at Audi. I've called four different Vag specialists and all have stated they do not change the filters on the G4 units. Failing anyone local I'd be driving to Manchester to get the work done.

Cheers

Scott
 
#29 ·
ScoTTS... said:
Thanks John. Similar thoughts also, especially considering the age of the vehicle and Audi's lack of enthusiasm to change the part. The indentations on the side of the cover look very similar to the G4 in my opinion. Mad thing is my car was up on the ramp a few days ago to get a better look at the rear shocks. Being generally interested I was looking under the car for a good 10 mins nosing around the different parts. I even remember looking at the silver Haldex plate which I now know is the controller.

Question to all. Does anyone know of a company that will change the G4 filter within or around the Midlands area? I'm more than happy to purchase the parts, and I could even get the haldex oil change at Audi. I've called four different Vag specialists and all have stated they do not change the filters on the G4 units. Failing anyone local I'd be driving to Manchester to get the work done.

Cheers

Scott
Have a look at the ttshop
 
#32 ·
Asking the indy was the second option. I was going to get the filter replaced and then possibly take to Audi for the oil change. I spoke to one of the VAG specialists today, only 6 miles away. They originally told me they only change the Gen2 filters. However had a chat with one of their guys today and I mentioned it's 'looks' pretty much the same procedure but just a different filter plate. I'm happy to be corrected on that though. They've asked to take a look before I order the new filter kit so I will try to pop it in to them next week. I'm sure fairly certain they would increase sales a little if they offered the Gen4 filter replacement. Update hopefully coming soon.
 
#33 · (Edited by Moderator)
Many thanks to all who have posted so far. Apologies in advance for sounding like a broken record on loop. I've just had a phone convo with the senior service manager at the Audi dealer I use. Just for the record this chap is incredibly helpful and has really gone above and beyond in the past. Anyway I thought I'd test the water by suggesting that I would purchase the Gen4 filter if Audi would fit and carry out Haldex oil change at same time. He called me back after speaking with the servicing department and they are adamant there is no filter. I mentioned I could send him comparison of pics from under my car with the picture from the Gen4 procedure JohnLZ7W kindly sent on page 2. Service manager stated he watched the AudiCam footage and said he could not see the filter and that there is none on the later haldex models so no real point in sending the info over to him.

My question is, can any of the eagle eyed see if the area indicated by the red arrow in AudiCam footage beneath my car looks like the haldex filter housing plate. Appreciate it's difficult as quality is poor, it's a screen grab from the video. Second picture taken from the procedure.

AudiCam footage:
You_Doodle_2017-02-24T11_07_32Z.jpg


Gen4 Procedure on TT
You_Doodle_2017-02-24T11_10_16Z.jpg


I'll attemp to get the car on a ramp this week to take a look. I'm just trying to determine whether to steer clear from Audi at the moment.

Many thanks all.

Scott
 

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#35 ·
Cheers brittan. Looking at those parts in the pics it certainly does seem to reveal the 'newer' filter housing in the same positions. I'm still at a loss on why Audi are adament that there is no filter?? Any other opinions on the pictures welcome.
 
#36 ·
There is no debate on this subject mate, there is a filter, its "meant" to be one for life, yes you can buy replacement and yes its a pretty easy but can be fiddly job. I have had it done, Awesome told you and sell the filter, so did Matt from the very first website given in the thread. You have pictures of the actual filter and fitting kit its 2 bolts and filter slides in lol.

Anyone, and I mean anyone that calls themselves a VAG specialist/indy(inc AUDI) that refuses to do this or even acknowledge that the part exists would not be touching my car! I also wouldnt give them a penny of my money ever again.

Dont waste your time trying to get idiots to do it for you, just go to someone that knows what they are doing. When I spoke to Matt he said he has done hundreds of these, its a problem and better doing it than your pump going like mine did! FWD is no fun in a TTS :p
 
#37 ·
Cheers Danny. Just trying to get opinions on the pictures above so my mind isn't playing tricks :) I'm afraid Matt at Auto Fault Finder only looks at the mail order repairs now and does not focus on the workshop as he would have been my first choice as he is only 50 miles from me.
 
#38 ·
ScoTTS... said:
Cheers Danny. Just trying to get opinions on the pictures above so my mind isn't playing tricks :) I'm afraid Matt at Auto Fault Finder only looks at the mail order repairs now and does not focus on the workshop as he would have been my first choice as he is only 50 miles from me.
Yeah I know Matt isnt doing workshop work, but the guy is very helpful and if you want any info he will know more than anyone, ring and order the parts off him and have a chat about any questions you have.
 
#39 ·
I've just look at this post now, so sorry I couldn't help earlier.

Only last December I was in the same quandary as you. I sourced the Gen 4 filter from eBay, item number 311745050604 @ £55.00
Then got a really good indy to fit it (Just Audi Lincoln) they did the job no messing around & only charged me for the Haldex oil swap.
 
#40 ·
Hi BMTTS, thanks for the reply. That's awesome. Especially not charging you to fit the part. I'm hopefully popping the car into VAG specialists on Friday to see if they are happy with replacing the part before I order the filter. Just keeping my fingers crossed.
 
#44 ·
Hi bhoy78. I had a long chat with Matt last week. Really nice bloke who knows his beans. He just doesn't do the removal/fitting work anymore and only deals with mail order repairs. He only stopped recently as well. :? I'll see what happens Friday when I get to see the specialist who originally said they wouldn't change as it's a 'life long' filter.
 
#45 ·
I had the same trouble, I went to a mechanic I have used for years he said he had never touched a haldex unit before and he mentioned a place up here that does haldex work on landrovers.

Gave them a call, can only assume that the units on landrovers are totally different and complex because the guy was making out it would take 6 hours to remove it and then refurbing the unit etc. Said he had never done an audi before, maybe that's the case or maybe he was just at it.

Thought screw that, drove down, matt had it done in no time and the misses got a days shopping at Cheshire oaks so she was a happy bunny :lol:

Anyway I don't know how far awesome gti or the other main audi indy is from you but why not just go there, someone who knows what their doing and get it sorted, job done. Audi are never going to do it for you mate.
 
#46 ·
But is it not the case that Audi won't do it because it doesn't need doing? I had mine done by audi and they didn't change the filter. I even phoned a filter supplier when it was being done and they said they didn't have the part listed, so it begs the following questions:

1. Why would audi not want to charge you for changing it?

2. Why are they not readily available to buy?

3. Why does a plastic tiny filter cost approx £50

Are businesses just not making money for old rope? Any indy will do the work especially when you turn up with the parts. I see both points of view but it just doesn't make sense, unless Audi are relying on income from haldex unit replacement. Which i doubt seen as the quattro has been there flag ship since the 80s
 
#47 ·
Awesome is a 150 mile round trip I'm afraid. The route is also via the one of the biggest car parks in the UK, otherwise known as the M6 :) The one I'm visiting is only 6 miles from me and as well as a good friend recommending them they seem to have really good reviews on this forum. Their apprehension has put me off somewhat but I'm grasping at straws at the moment. I'll let you know what they say. Surely other people are in a similar position so would also be boosting sales a little.
 
#48 ·
I can see your point exactly C005TT5. However when it comes to motoring I like to minimise risk. And after reading the pages of wisdom in this forum for the last 12 months I feel comfortable listening to the advice of others with similar quandaries, especially the seniors and mods. As well as this for the sake of £50 for a little plastic filter I would sleep a little easier at night knowing it has been replaced, even if Audi say it doesn't need it. Read this thread for example, Danny explained his haldex pump started playing up at 35k. I'm on 55k and doubt the filter has ever been changed. Am I gambling with time, may be. Will the Haldex survive another 55k miles, who knows...

Edit: Audi stated they will not change the filter because it has not got a filter!! So they state there is nothing to change. Yet in the next breath they state it's a life long filter. I've given up on Audi. Bit scary considering I've spoken to several people who sell and fit them albeit they are a little far to travel to - at the moment.
 
#49 ·
Audi like to work on the basis of just changing a full item rather than just the faulty component. For instance if your haldex board suffers from corrosion from water ingress, which is a less common fault than pump failure but does happen due to the location of the unit, then audi will say it needs a new haldex unit at £1200 rather than taking out and either using contact cleaner to take the corrosion off and reseal the unit or if the pcb board has had its day just replacing the board.

With pump failure, which someone earlier in this thread gave some great insight into why it happens due to the build up of sludge or whatever in the filter then at least audi sell the pump separately. This will still cost around £600/700.

Should it happen? no of course not. I actually spoke to the master tech at my local dealership about the haldex units. He confirmed that he is seeing the same issues more frequently now and that although he knows he can just change a component that they don't do that. Its a bolt on bolt on procedure that audi tend to do.

A majority of audi owners will just accept what they are told and pay whatever audi ask, they don't question the repair. We as car enthusiasts like to look into these things to find out why they happen and also what we can do to prevent any issues.

Remember the main thing with audi is, your buying a premium brand but you don't get premium service. How many times have you been in an audi dealership to look at a car and they make you feel like they are doing you a favour allowing you to give them your hard earned.

They aren't all that way but in the main over the years that has been my experience. I spoke to a car dealer I know recently and he told me that everyone he speaks to says the same, they aren't interested unless your a footballer or whatever.

Maybe unfair of me to tar all dealerships the same but up here they are all owned by the same company, prices are much higher than down south and they don't even entertain the fact that you can buy the same car or service several thousand pounds cheaper in England, if you dare to suggest it they look at you as if you have 2 heads.

Audi TT's great cars, Audi aftercare well I think you can see my views on that :p
 
#50 ·
Quick update. Spoke with another two VAG specialists today. One wouldn't touch the long-life filter as they don't know the procedure. Another are reluctant because they cannot locate the part with TPS even though I have offered to purchase the part. That's 3 out of 4 'specialists' that won't do the work. As far as I know they are not small businesses either. Bizarre. Must not be a call for this in the Midlands :? As stated the fourth originally said no but will look under car hopefully on Friday.
 
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