VW Golf mk4 02J transmission fluid change

In this video, I show how to change the transmission fluid in my 2001 Volkswagen Golf TDI. This vehicle is equipped with the 5-speed manual (02J) transmission, which according to VW, has a lifetime fill. I don't believe that transmission fluid lasts forever, so I have been changing the fluid every 50,000 miles with the OEM gear oil (G050). You can use other types if you prefer, but I choose to stick with the G050. Both the drain and fill plugs are supposed to be torqued to 30Nm or about 22ft-lbs. Please be safe while working under the vehicle!
Hand transfer pump:
amzn.to/3F1OtcG
Funnels:
amzn.to/39sE2Dk
17mm hex bit socket:
amzn.to/3ONgCso
Hex bit socket set:
amzn.to/3kusDoK

[@He8MyHand]

Tip to anyone watching, always loosen the fill plug first. Because if it doesn’t loosen and you’ve already drained the oil, you’re in trouble

[@Corysdiyauto]

Good tip

[@integrationofmanandmachine4714]

damn dats a real menage right there

[@KingAdrock420]

I came to the comments to say the same thing. If you realize the fill plug won’t come out before you drain, you can drive the car wherever you need to get that fixed. But if you drain the tranny and THEN realize the fill plug is seized, stripped or for whatever reason won’t come out; the car is undriveable.

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

Just did my mk4 build for the first time watching this video 🤙🏽 thanks for showing step by step. I actually am doing a manual swap to 02j on my daily mk4 so I’ll have to do it again before I fire it up so it will be fresh! Cheers 🤘🏽

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thanks man! Glad you liked the video.

[@23hublock1]

Best video about this topic out there. A lot don't even say what size hex to use or mm bolt from power steering line etc. Great fill technique! Thanks man, cool video. Liked. Best regards, Matt from UK.

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you very much!

[@vampir335]

Hi Cory love your work, I have the same TDI but AHF engine, I also see your splash guard for a car that is 200 000 miles is super clean and neat, and all the bolts are there wow.

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you very much! I try to keep the car maintained properly. When I bought the car years ago, the splash shield wasn't there. Someone had removed it, so I bought one because it's important to have in place.

[@vampir335]

@@Corysdiyauto do u have a video of how to flush and replace your coolant? I really wanna know that one.

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@vampir335 - No, I don't have a video on that unfortunately. That would be a good one though!

[@jolen268]

Very good video, straight to the point!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you!

[@captainfartolini4335]

you can do this without the jack. its safer but a little more cramped. Also wud b good to know how much fluid u used, the cap on the tranny is over 2L, but you seemed to only use less than 2 liters of new fluid

[@randallmunson9909]

ALWAYS open fill plug first ! What if you get it drained and for some odd reason you can't get it open ?

[@Corysdiyauto]

Right on! I thought of that after I did it.

[@randallmunson9909]

@@Corysdiyauto some will have a vent also.

[@Corysdiyauto]

Does the 02J have a vent?

[@randallmunson9909]

@@Corysdiyauto I recently p/u an '03 Jetta wgn 5sp gas. I haven't got past 17mm hex plug socket yet, though it's on the list. Enjoyed your efforts sir.

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@randallmunson9909 - Good luck with the Jetta!

[@TonyKuehler]

That used oil looked pretty clean. Is that normal or do you change frequently?

[@Corysdiyauto]

I change it every 50,000 miles.

[@farginicehole513]

I'm doing my 2000 golf TDI today. Weird, my power steering line was not in the way of my fill plug at all. And yes, of course I broke it free before even touching the drain plug. I'll be refilling with Liqui Moly GL4+ 75W90. Another tip I've heard that I am going to do is to rotate one of the front wheels (you would have to elevate it off your ramp) by hand to distribute the oil around and see if you can get any more in before you replace the fill plug. Update -- Was able to get the full 2 liters in by rotating a wheel with transmission in neutral.

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thanks for sharing!

[@farginicehole513]

Thank you for making the video! I updated my original comment. By the way, that Liqui Moly comes with a really convenient telescopic pouring tube. I was going to use my hand pump that screws into a standard gear oil bottle neck, but didn't even need to.

[@Corysdiyauto]

I'm glad that you liked it. That's good to know about Liqui Moly. I will have to give that a try next time. Good job!

[@jerrycai3317]

Lol when I drained mine, the oil was grey. Pretty sure it has never been changed by the previous owner. How often do you change yours?

[@Corysdiyauto]

Gray? That's not good. I change mine every 50,000 miles. How many miles are on yours?

[@jerrycai3317]

@@Corysdiyauto 220k before it was changed lol

[@Corysdiyauto]

Whoa! Lol

[@louvendran7273]

Sweet. I did mine last year. I have a 4MOTION. The rear is a pain though, not enough space.

[@Corysdiyauto]

That's good that you did yours. I've never worked on a 4MOTION, but I'm sure that it's tight back there.

[@devonboyd]

Would this fluid work okay with my 2000 Vw 2.0 with a 5 speed believe the transmission is o2j. Just want to use the right fluid

[@Corysdiyauto]

Yes, you have the 02J transmission and the correct fluid is exactly what I used in the video.

[@devonboyd]

@@Corysdiyauto okay perfect just nervous as I’ve read a lot about the different fluids and just wanted to be 100% thank you so much man I really appreciate it.

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@devonboyd - You're welcome! Good luck with it.

[@randallturner]

Excuse me sir but would this also be the case in a 2002 automatic golf aren't these cars I have We call a sealed transmission

[@Corysdiyauto]

You can change the fluid in the automatic transmission. It's a different type of fluid though. I believe that you have the 01M transmission. There are service kits out there for it.

[@nikolaykolev738]

What about the filter, wonder...

[@emilcjr2482]

Nice work! Threre is a catch with all vw group manual gear boxes. No mater how fresh you keep the oil inside the gearbox, in the end of the two shafts there are two ball berings that fail all the time. I have this problem now on a skoda, those berings have their own grease and they are not lubricatet with the oil inside the gearbox. So, like any bearings will fail over time. This is defective design.

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you. These bearings must be of high quality because I have 221,000 miles on the original transmission and haven't had any issues with it. The clutch is still original!

[@Ifixitagain]

Sadly lots of be models have design defects

[@danrubison]

Which Race Ramps are those? Looking for my own set.

[@Corysdiyauto]

They are the 67" XT Race Ramps (2 piece model). They are very nice to have.

[@nandorzsigmond2654]

Is the same for golf 4 1.6 74kw engine apf? 2 l is enough to refill?

[@Corysdiyauto]

It depends on what transmission you have.

[@nandorzsigmond2654]

@@Corysdiyauto 5 speed manual

[@Corysdiyauto]

I'm not familiar with that engine code(apf?) Is this a gas model or diesel?

[@nandorzsigmond2654]

@@Corysdiyauto gasoline Petrol

[@Corysdiyauto]

@nandorzsigmond2654 - I believe that you have the 02K gearbox and the capacity is 2L.

[@delta34golf]

Nice. Thanks for the video!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Welcome! Thanks

[@rafaelmedina7981]

How much gear oil were you able to add?

[@Corysdiyauto]

I believe it was close to 2 liters.

[@riposonomiya4678]

Good job bro 💪👍

[@Corysdiyauto]

Thank you

[@cambellreeders7901]

With my golf i just bought it sounds like there is no oil in there

[@Corysdiyauto]

That's not good. Better check it and if not then get some fluid in there ASAP!

[@fierrocompany7809]

Is that a 1999 Volkswagen?

[@Corysdiyauto]

It's a 2001.

[@MichaelGreen-p2h]

Loosen fill plug first ✅….becouse if you have problems removing the fill plug after you have drained the oil…your…FUXXED!!!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Good tip! I wonder how often that happens with this transmission? That fill plug seems very robust.