How To: Changing the oil in an Audi Q7 Torsen Transfer Case
May 9, 2019 16:39:01 GMT
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Post by BigE on May 9, 2019 16:39:01 GMT
Recently my Audi has started making a slight rumbling when maneuvering at very slow speed, almost as if it's dragging it's rear end about. Then when taking up drive it there was a noticeable clonk. The rumbling and clonk could be felt under the drivers seat.
Researching on the internet suggested that this was most likly the Borgwarner Central Transfer Case Oil past it's best. Audi state in their workshop manuals that this is a 0AQ unit and is sealed for life. As with most sealed for life differentials they need new oil at some point. The internet seems to suggest this is as little as every 40K miles which indicates to me on my car the oil should be changed as it's now 185K miles. There is very little information on the internet about the oil change procedure or even what oil to use. More research pointed to Raveol Synthetic Transfer Fluid TF-0870. Depending on what you read the box takes 850ml or 1.1L, either way you should fill it up to the fill plug and let it overflow, then put the plug in.
The benefit of the Audi is it's long range of travel air suspension. I site this to maximum height on it's "Lift" setting, this means I didn't need to jack up and level the car, simply slide underneath it as it sat on the driveway.
Here are some step my step photo's - probably the easiest oil change ever:
1. Take the car for a modest drive to warm up the old oil so it will flow out nicely.
2. Once back, make sure the car is level, on it's max height setting and slide under it watching for the hot exhaust pipes.
3. Loosen the Fill plug first, if you can't fill the box back up with oil you have a problem on your hands. Once the Fill plug is free open the Drain plug. Use a simple 3/8th ratchet with a small extension bar, it slots right in perfectly.

4. with the Fill plug loose, undo the Drain plug and let the old oil poor out completely.

5. Tidy up any oil and open up the Fill plug.

6. Here is the old oil, orange, burnt, nasty:

7. Get your new oil ready:

8. This oil comes with a convenient pipe which allows you to squirt the oil in so no need for the big syringe.

9. I fount that it took exactly 1L of oil to fill the box, I tried quieting in a little extra to make sure it was completely full. It just dribbled out the Fill hole. Put the Fill plug back in quickly.

10. Job done, tidy up and take the car for a drive. No nasty clonks or rumbling noises now.
Researching on the internet suggested that this was most likly the Borgwarner Central Transfer Case Oil past it's best. Audi state in their workshop manuals that this is a 0AQ unit and is sealed for life. As with most sealed for life differentials they need new oil at some point. The internet seems to suggest this is as little as every 40K miles which indicates to me on my car the oil should be changed as it's now 185K miles. There is very little information on the internet about the oil change procedure or even what oil to use. More research pointed to Raveol Synthetic Transfer Fluid TF-0870. Depending on what you read the box takes 850ml or 1.1L, either way you should fill it up to the fill plug and let it overflow, then put the plug in.
The benefit of the Audi is it's long range of travel air suspension. I site this to maximum height on it's "Lift" setting, this means I didn't need to jack up and level the car, simply slide underneath it as it sat on the driveway.

Here are some step my step photo's - probably the easiest oil change ever:
1. Take the car for a modest drive to warm up the old oil so it will flow out nicely.
2. Once back, make sure the car is level, on it's max height setting and slide under it watching for the hot exhaust pipes.
3. Loosen the Fill plug first, if you can't fill the box back up with oil you have a problem on your hands. Once the Fill plug is free open the Drain plug. Use a simple 3/8th ratchet with a small extension bar, it slots right in perfectly.

4. with the Fill plug loose, undo the Drain plug and let the old oil poor out completely.

5. Tidy up any oil and open up the Fill plug.

6. Here is the old oil, orange, burnt, nasty:

7. Get your new oil ready:

8. This oil comes with a convenient pipe which allows you to squirt the oil in so no need for the big syringe.

9. I fount that it took exactly 1L of oil to fill the box, I tried quieting in a little extra to make sure it was completely full. It just dribbled out the Fill hole. Put the Fill plug back in quickly.

10. Job done, tidy up and take the car for a drive. No nasty clonks or rumbling noises now.