Wrong gearbox oil

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 14:52

So I went to my dealers to have major service done. I had them change oil and fuel filter, as well as oil, brake fluid and gearbox oil. All was fine.

Next day however, once the engine and gearbox were cold, I noticed that changing gears (particularly 2nd) was more difficult than before hand. Gear changes are notchy and stiff, but ease up considerably once warm. The car was perfectly fine before the change - I simply did it due to the car have 66k on the clock.

EDIT: to keep others happy.. I did not go trouncing in like 'know it all' saying they've used the wrong stuff. I told them what the issue was, asked what oil they used and was told it was a generic 75W90 "and was the right stuff" despite VAG oil having a specific part number rather than a grade.

I've spoken to them numerous times, and long story short, they're refusing to admit they've used the wrong oil. My car is registered as a DSG (Auto) despite being a 6 speed manual so I reckon the books will have recommended the wrong grade oil. They told me they just put in my reg plate into their part supplier database so they won't have used the wrong stuff and "know what they're doing", but they still can't/won't give me a part number. For the sake of £50, I'm not prepared to go further, but I am a bit ****ed off.

My car is a 59 plate 2L TSI Skoda Octavia VRS.

Now, will having the wrong oil in my box cause harm if I leave it in for a few weeks whilst I source the correct stuff and find the time to change it myself?

Howard · 28 Oct 2015 at 15:19

Amraam said:
, once the engine and gearbox were cold, I noticed that changing gears (particularly 2nd) was more difficult than before hand. Gear changes are notchy and stiff, but ease up considerably once warm. The car was perfectly fine before the change

This is the only relevant information really. You need to take it back to the garage, tell them this, and firmly request that they sort it. If that means draining and refilling with the correct oil (or putting in the correct amount, or whatever) then so be it.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 15:29

Howard said:
This is the only relevant information really. You need to take it back to the garage, tell them this, and firmly request that they sort it. If that means draining and refilling with the correct oil (or putting in the correct amount, or whatever) then so be it.

That was the first thing I told them and their answer was that it must be my clutch gone. They ain't budging.

rodenal · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:00

Escalate it up the chain of command - calmly but firmly

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:07

rodenal said:
Escalate it up the chain of command - calmly but firmly

Done that too. They're a small independent garage that I've always used. They're not interested.

Rilot · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:11

For peace of mind I'd be inclined just to buy the correct oil, take the car somewhere else, and have them drain it and fill it up.
If you're not getting anywhere with your current garage then you might as well cut your losses and get it done elsewhere. Better that than still driving it while you're arguing the point.
If it's the wrong oil by the way it could damage the box.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:33

Rilot said:
For peace of mind I'd be inclined just to buy the correct oil, take the car somewhere else, and have them drain it and fill it up.
If you're not getting anywhere with your current garage then you might as well cut your losses and get it done elsewhere. Better that than still driving it while you're arguing the point.
If it's the wrong oil by the way it could damage the box.

Yup that's my plan. Gave up when I realised they simply weren't going to do the right thing, and when I also can't technically prove it.

I should have just source it myself in the first place...

rodenal · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:42

Amraam said:
Done that too. They're a small independent garage that I've always used. They're not interested.

Ah I had assumed dealer

ADT · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:45

If they don't play ball, a nice review online should do the trick.

pepsilol · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:13

I super doubt it. If they ordered DSG oil they'd end up with 6 litres. Filling up a manual box is also completely different to a DSG box, saying that anything can happen.

BigglesPiP · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:23

They have not used the wrong oil.

No garage (except maybe Kwik-Fit) would put ATF in a manual gearbox. Most likely they used a generic cheap gearbox oil.

Stop diagnosing the fault yourself, you are wrong and you are putting yourself in a bad position as a consumer.

Tell them the symptoms and tell them to fix it.

If you take it to them and say "Put this oil in the gearbox." That is excactly what they will do for you, and if it doesn't solve the problem there is nothing you can do but pay them for the work you asked them to do.

Is the problem very significant, you could just be feeling the difference between used oil on a warm day and new oil on a cold day...

pepsilol · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:33

Indeed, OP is coming off as a problem customer. By telling them you have put wrong oil in my car, it just comes off as I think you're stupid. Hence why they probably won't budge as they think you're a moron and if push comes to shove they have the evidence to show you they didn't.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 18:20

pepsilol said:
I super doubt it. If they ordered DSG oil they'd end up with 6 litres. Filling up a manual box is also completely different to a DSG box, saying that anything can happen.

Oh no, I'm not saying they don't know the difference between manual and DSG, just that I think they've used either DSG or some generic 75W90 oil rather than the VAG specific stuff. It definitely seems thicker than what it should be, simply because of the way it acts when cold.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 18:24

BigglesPiP said:
They have not used the wrong oil.

No garage (except maybe Kwik-Fit) would put ATF in a manual gearbox. Most likely they used a generic cheap gearbox oil.

Stop diagnosing the fault yourself, you are wrong and you are putting yourself in a bad position as a consumer.

Tell them the symptoms and tell them to fix it.

If you take it to them and say "Put this oil in the gearbox." That is excactly what they will do for you, and if it doesn't solve the problem there is nothing you can do but pay them for the work you asked them to do.

Is the problem very significant, you could just be feeling the difference between used oil on a warm day and new oil on a cold day...

pepsilol said:
Indeed, OP is coming off as a problem customer. By telling them you have put wrong oil in my car, it just comes off as I think you're stupid. Hence why they probably won't budge as they think you're a moron and if push comes to shove they have the evidence to show you they didn't.

As always, this place does it again. Doesn't take long for the personal attacks to start. I didn't go to them straight away saying "you put the wrong oil in". I told them the symptoms, they weren't convinced, and fobbed me off saying it was more likely a fault with the clutch, which clearly it isn't.

What's wrong with a little self troubleshooting and diagnosing? Do you expect me to take everything mechanics say as gospel??

iamtheoneneo · 28 Oct 2015 at 18:27

Why dont you buy the correct oil and do it yourself?
Changing oil is a very basic job and then you know it is exactly as you expected.

I would agree though that any garage that claimed a clutch fault based on your description should not be used again.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 18:33

iamtheoneneo said:
Why dont you buy the correct oil and do it yourself?
Changing oil is a very basic job and then you know it is exactly as you expected.

I would agree though that any garage that claimed a clutch fault based on your description should not be used again.

I had planned to, and I plan on servicing the car entirely myself, but due to work and other commitments, as well as the MOT being due, it was easier to just get them to do it all in one go so I could get the car back quickly. I had also planned to source the parts/consumables myself in advance, but again I was unable to in time for various reasons. Next time I will, and for peace of mind, I think I will simply order 2L of the correct oil and change it myself soon.

The main reason for this thread was not the bash the garage etc., but more to ask if having the wrong oil in the box would cause any damage if I left it in for a week or two.

[TW]Fox · 28 Oct 2015 at 18:51

Why on earth would you randomly change the gearbox oil on a manual car with only 60k on it?!

LiE · 28 Oct 2015 at 18:55

[TW]Fox;28741290 said:
Why on earth would you randomly change the gearbox oil on a manual car with only 60k on it?!

Does strike me as odd.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 19:03

[TW]Fox;28741290 said:
Why on earth would you randomly change the gearbox oil on a manual car with only 60k on it?!

Recommened on the skoda/VW forums and for peace of mind. I don't need to explain myself.

Firestar_3x · 28 Oct 2015 at 19:18

BigglesPiP said:
They have not used the wrong oil.

How can you say this?

BigglesPiP said:
Stop diagnosing the fault yourself, you are wrong and you are putting yourself in a bad position as a consumer.

Or this.

Unless you work at the garage you have as little idea as the OP.

If the OP wants to prove his point drain the oil and send the stuff off for analysis.