ZF 6HP19A tiptronic gearbox (A6 3.0 TDI Quattro)

**apole** · 16-03-2013,06:51 PM

Hey Gup,

Thanks for the info.

Didn't get to watch mine being done - pretty sure it was just the fluid and no sump off/new filter etc which is a shame. Also with all the info you have found, also not sure what of the two oil types was used so danger like you I've got a mix. It took them a while and for some of it the engine was running and ramp went up and down so assuming they did it the phased way to ensure level is correct.

Saying that box works very well.

Funnily enough I saw a wheeler dealer episode the other night where they did an oil and filter change in a tiptronic boxter s. Again a multi stage refill, initial pump in oil until it seeps out fill hole, then run engine to get oil up to a temp range, put thro gears, and fill again until it seeps out. Reckon that can't be a million miles away from what the audi one needs.

A while back I had concerns over auto box on another motor. Specialist told me to take a sampe of oil and put on a clean white kitchen tissue, it then spreads out and you can see if particles in it and what residue/colour is left.

Thinking if I can work out what oil type mine needs based on above info, may change oil, filter and gasket etc myself using friends ramp later this year to be sure job done properly with correct oil. Also be able to see oil colour and if anything horrid lurking on magnets etc. Depends on time and how brave I'm feeling !

**apole** · 16-03-2013,06:59 PM

Hey Gup,

Just read the guide in your link, very clear guide, thanks for finding that. Exactly what they did on TV other night bar temp was much higher on other car and they used laser thermometer.

Thanks again, doesn't look too bad a job, bar the smell of the oil

**gupsterg** · 16-03-2013,07:40 PM

That guide is on an A6 4F

... they do show the oil sump for A6 & A4...

So much better than the service guide

, seeing the process in technicolour makes me also very tempted to do it when needed again on mine myself using the ramp@my friendly indi workshop...

I'll fish out the P/N for all relevant parts/seals,etc...

**_Tazman_** · 19-03-2013,01:29 PM

Having done this job myself on my A6, it's a piece of cake, same as my Merc.

Don't bother with the updated fluids ( which is lifeguard 8, unless you REALLY get all of the old fluid out, the software update is a bodge, as it kind of tells the g/box to slip the tranny / brake bands more / less ).

All the A6s were filled with ZF lifeguard 6, stick to this & ONLY ZF fluid & you will be fine.

Mine was the original fill, yellow lifeguard 6, and it's readily available ( I think I used a well know retailer up north ), I did the pan, sump filter & flushed the torque converter & full refill, then top up at the correct temp.

My box just turned 48k, so the fluid that came out was definitely a bit worn & WELL worth doing. No real sludge, but certainly signs of wear / grey slime on the filter body.

When the weather is better, i'll do the direct shift box & the other bit.

It can be a bit messy & you MUST have the car level, but it's certainly do-able ( oddly enough the BM 5 series use the same box, but they use a throwaway pan assembly which has an intergrated filter ).

I would suggest that there is NO SUCH thing as oil 4 life..... this will certainly require a new AT in the future.

cheers

**gupsterg** · 19-03-2013,02:43 PM

WOW great info & share on experience

I bow to your DIYNESS

...

IIRC recently I was going through the ZF website and they have an online catalogue with info about tranny/oil...

I've also seen that some of the parts like the magnets are available directly from them but not Audi dealer...

**_Tazman_** · 19-03-2013,05:36 PM

I've even got the full ZF part list for the 6HP19 box, can e-mail you as a pdf if you want ?

Only use Lifeguard 6 fluid & you won't go wrong.

**gupsterg** · 19-03-2013,06:08 PM

I'll just PM you my external email

...

Thanks

...

**gianton** · 20-03-2013,05:45 AM

Originally Posted by _Tazman_

I've even got the full ZF part list for the 6HP19 box, can e-mail you as a pdf if you want ?

Only use Lifeguard 6 fluid & you won't go wrong.

Hi,

Could you please PM me the list with ZF parts and the site where can I buy them?

**techfreak** · 25-04-2013,09:47 PM

Originally Posted by _Tazman_

Having done this job myself on my A6, it's a piece of cake, same as my Merc.

Don't bother with the updated fluids ( which is lifeguard 8, unless you REALLY get all of the old fluid out, the software update is a bodge, as it kind of tells the g/box to slip the tranny / brake bands more / less ).

All the A6s were filled with ZF lifeguard 6, stick to this & ONLY ZF fluid & you will be fine.

Mine was the original fill, yellow lifeguard 6, and it's readily available ( I think I used a well know retailer up north ), I did the pan, sump filter & flushed the torque converter & full refill, then top up at the correct temp.

My box just turned 48k, so the fluid that came out was definitely a bit worn & WELL worth doing. No real sludge, but certainly signs of wear / grey slime on the filter body.

When the weather is better, i'll do the direct shift box & the other bit.

It can be a bit messy & you MUST have the car level, but it's certainly do-able ( oddly enough the BM 5 series use the same box, but they use a throwaway pan assembly which has an intergrated filter ).

I would suggest that there is NO SUCH thing as oil 4 life..... this will certainly require a new AT in the future.

cheers

Hi Tazman,

Can you confirm where you/how you came to this conclusion?

The TSB confirms the update is needed and I've read threads on this from forums all over the world - everyone who's had the issues and done the upgrade both software and oil have stated noticeable improvements.

I'm not doubting if your solution works, as it obviously has for you, but you're the only person to say this and I'm thinking wouldn't just changing the old oil for the same version old oil only delay the inevitable?

**MarkTM** · 26-04-2013,12:02 AM

Tech
Mt tuppence worth.

I think what Taz is saying is unless you get all of the lifeguard6 out, then flush with lifeguard 8, then refill with lieguard 8 it's pointless doing the software upgrade.

So unless the specialist has the facilities to pump all of the lifeguard 6 out...or at least 90% of it then it's best to stick to Lifeguard 6 as it will be cheaper.

Which is what the ZF specialist that's doing mine said, there's nothing actually wrong with lifeguard6 or the box. I think that ZF recommend the new fluid with the new software....appreciate that we live in changing times!

The 6 is for sale on special here, where coincidentally are a ZF specialist and are doing my transmission fluid and filter:

ZF Lifeguard 6, Shell M 1375.4,Transmission Fluid, ATF,

They recommended NOT having the upgrade and that I continue to use Lifeguard 6, if I have the upgrade I'll be stuck using expensive 8:

Incidentally Audi's new 8 speed box is made by whom

Then 'Hey! Why don't we modify our 6 speed box to use the higher priced 8 speed box fluid...there aren't many alternatives out there and we'll have a captive market once they upgrade...all we need to do is make some mods to the 6 speed box and we've guaranteed greater future profits!'

This made a good read!

Who has changed Transmission fluid on 6Automatic Quattro? [Archive] - Audizine Forums