So, I have decides to go with eth URO cast aluminum transmission pan for a couple reasons.
1) The aluminum pan should cools the fluid a bit.
2) The replaceable filter will lower the cost of full fluid/filer changes (so they can happen more often)
Sine some suspect that magnetic particles are part of the reason for the distance sensor failures, would it make sense to add additional magnets in the pan to catch more metal 'dust'?
There are a number of "Transmission Pan Magnet" solutions, aimed mostly at the heavy truck market, but with very little creativity they should be applicable to the
PDK
pan.
Thoughts?
Hey there N jay.....glad that you're being proactive with the maintenance.
I havent seen the URO pan before but the stock original transmission filter pan has a magnet built into it. Does the URO one have it too?
when I last changed my
PDK
filter, the pan and magnet seemed relatively clean but I replaced the fluid every 40k km's and the filter at 100k kms.
Dont think the fluids can prevent a sensor failure but would be good for the rest of the more mechanical components.
The short answer is no. The fluid in the clutch side (where the pan/filter is located) does not come into contact with the distance sensors. They are housed in a separate chamber with a different type of fluid.
Ahhhh, Hadn't dug into it well enough.
I am very sure there is a magnet in the URO pan as they are just about standard in every automatic pan, certainly all from ZF.
Hmmm, since the distance sensor is in the "Gearbox/Differential" fluid (and is magnetic itself) I guess we need to replace the fill and drain plugs with magnetic plugs to trap any metal particles.
I believe there are two drains and one fill.
Does anyone have the size and threads so I can shop for them?
Just change the gear oil more often. It’s pretty easy to do.
If the distance sensor is magnetic, change the fluid will have minimal effect.
You need to capture the magnetic particles (hopefully) before the distance sensor does.
Totally get it. But most of the metal was from initial wear. Changing the fluid more often the fluid should have less metal particles in it.
Both help.
The car already had 70K on it when I got it.
At 100K how often do you think I should change the gar fluid?
Given the likelihood of metal particles and the fact that the transmission used magnetic sensors, I am surprised ZF didn't already have a magnet filter somewhere.
Back to the question. Does ANYONE has the plug thread sizes?
There is a large magnet in the bottom of the gearbox chamber (where the distance and speed senors live). This sits in a cavity formed by the main and rear case halves. It does require the rear case to be removed to inspect/clean.
I plan on doing a drain and fill every 25-30k. Is so easy. Probably do the clutch every 20k.
interesting find on the uro pan and separate filter.
does the clutch use different fluid than the where you refill the pan?
TO learn more about the
PDK
and repair/service please see the new
PDK
Pirates website.
www.pdkpirates.com
Clutches and servo valves use
PDK
Fluid (like an Auto) and Gears and Diff use "Gear Oil" like a standard transaxle.
URO Pan in the Clutch/Servo side
Gear oil side would require splitting the case.
