Surprisingly difficult decision..tow car replacement

[Gary71]

I’m about to get a Haldex service done on our 92k mile TT. That one definitely still works though!

[911hillclimber]

According to Haldex uk, the Gen 4 Haldex pump fails between 50 and 80k miles.
VW do not list the. Pump filter on their service schedule, so the crucial filter never gets changed, so the pump fails....

The bits for my Skoda are £250 from Haldex Uk so might just bite the ballet and get it done.
Very diy but not in this weather...

[Nine One One]

I would have thought as a 2014 you have a Generation 5 Haldex?

As no EML lights have come up, it is probably the pump not functioning to its full capacity.
There is an internal filter attached to the pump, which VW/Audi Group say is non serviceable (it is and needs to be done!)

Both Gen 4 and 5 have the same internal filter for the pump, just different designs.

Videos below show the state the internal pump filter/mesh gets in (it is easy to clean but VW?Audi would sooner you get billed for a new pump when this filter blocks and the pump overheats)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4mb-e-3R7M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqvRLbwT7yY

Also make sure the correct fluid is used - there are two separate ones for different Haldex units, also the correct drain plug is removed, I have known people drain the axel and fill it with Haldex fluid and vice versa!

If the main control unit is defective the traction control EMS light is permantely lit.

This company does exchange units, with improved internals apparently as well as pumps, at a much lower cost than a dealer.

https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk

[911hillclimber]

According to Haldex uk, the Gen 4 was on the Superb to 2014 inclusive.
Dealer changed the oil, not the filter at 30k miles, as per schedule.

When I started to doubt the function mid last year, found out about the filter and special oil.
Had those changed, parts from Haldex Uk, about £90 plus one hour to fit.

Still in doubt, decided to see how l got one. Specialist did the diagnostics and found the message.
The code is the common failure code...

Might just as well change the lot for £250 plus fitting. Two hours tops I think.
Will ask tomorrow.

It has been part of the reasoning to change the car!

[Barry]

Keep it: the most expensive thing you can ever do to a car is change it.

Isn't it funny: we'll change a car because we suspect it'll be due a £1000 collection of parts at some point in the next two years.

We'll ignore the £15,000, or whatever, extra we put into the deal and probably then spend the £1000 anyway on detachable tow-bar, a boot liner, set of flaps, some paint treatment and an insurance increase.

Environmentally there's no question: keep it and continue to maintain it well.

[Nine One One]

Why on earth would you want to spend another £25K on a similar car (although newer by just 5 years) to replace parts costing £250 on what is a relatively low mileage diesel 4 x 4 Skoda Superb. Haldex units are very reliable if the oil and ALL the filters are changed regularly, and the control unit has Waxoyl or Dinitrol to protect it from water ingress.

They fail because dealers do not carry out a full service of filters. Some even suggest the Haldex fluid does not need changing.

The fault code from last year was not dealt with correctly, and you now probably have a burnt out/seized pump. (it should have actually been listed as 00448 - Haldex Clutch pump (v181) 011 open circuit
It is not the FILTER that is ‘allegedly’ a lifetime unit on the end of the casing, it is the filter strainer fitted to the end of the pump, which needs the pump removing to get access to it to clean it. If your ‘Indy’ never cleaned that out the pump by now is probably knackered - unless of course he forgot to plug it back in??

This explains most of it.

https://www.haldexrepairs.co.uk/guide-g ... -shooting/

[911hillclimber]

Yes, take all the comments about the change, also should add the risk of failure when you least/don't expect it.
Bound to fail towing the racer, in the rain, down one of the many country roads that lead to hillclimbs or on the motorways.

However, the subject has gone quiet so far.

The AUDI specialist gave me a lot of concern over a bad diesel fume leak we had at the same time as this 4x4 job.
I finally fixed the fumes myself, and lost a lot of confidence in them.
All this work came together and was costly and concerning.
His final solution to the ingress of fumes was to wear a mask.

The Service sheet he added states just as 9-1-1 says.
His fix was if I got the parts he would fit them as as an AUDI man following their schedules, the filter was not on the schedule.
AUDI don't give a part number. Haldex state this on the site too.

That is why I got the parts from Haldex UK etc and after another £50 it was done. The pump or controller (and the 2 wire connection on top of the diff) were not disturbed, he said all it needed was the filter and oil.
I only go to garages to get the service 'stamp'!

I have not met many specialists who actually are, and the 4x4 aspect of these cars leaves a lot scratching their heads.
Even the Skoda dealer who I bought the car from said they were wary of the 4x4 aspect of the range...

Just back to replacing the thing, I hoped the new sports level Superb with more power than my Boxster would excite, but it really didn't.

You have to try these things to find that out.
I do not want an SUV, so 4x4 estates that can tow well are hard to find, and others are far more expensive.

If the garage I moved on to after the AUDI specialist is open tomorrow morning I'll chat it through with them.
If the weather was better I'd do it myself but on the drive.

[Nine One One]

Graham,

The Haldex has a default to front wheel drive only if the unit fails, It is not going to leave you stranded (it is how it works in normal use hence is a on/off system)

I had a control unit fail in an Audi A3 years ago, and did lots of research then, which threw up the internal mesh/filter issue on most units. The whole Haldex unit is fully serviceable, it is just that dealers do not want to touch them, as it is too time consuming, and they would sooner sell you a complete unit at over £2700 when it all starts to go wrong.
I have a friend who routinely changes the oil, external filter and cleans the internal one, his Skoda has done 250,000 miles and still works fine.

If you get the Quattro system fixed, you will notice the difference in driving the car for the better, especially whilst towing.

Your fumes last year were an easy fix, as your ‘indy’ put a cheap paper pollen filter in your car and not a charcoal one, as I explained then.

Do the Haldex yourself, get a new reconditioned pump, clean all the old oil out, blow it all through and replace the external filter. Then keep on top of it, every 35K miles or so. The unit is quite simplistic in its design and function, normally the electronic control unit packs up with water ingress.
Get it fixed and see how you like it then - it will make a difference!

[911hillclimber]

Yes, I've slept on it.
You can assess the pump by measuring the resistance across the two terminals on the lead from the pump. Access is the tricky bit, but if between 5 and 8 Ohms the pump is good.
I will never have the luck it is good, but a step worth taking...

If good, then it will be pump out to clean the 'nose' filter/strainer and new filter/oil.

If duff, then I'll get the Haldex parts and swop it out as the car will be on axle stands anyway. Can get the parts in a few days from Haldex.

I've seem too many FWD tow barges stuck at Prescott an Shelsley Walsh having to be towed by the local farmer for £20, and the tow out is not exactly gentle with the trailer and car atop of it all through the front tow eye.

£300 out of the New Car fund! It is the only feature not working (I think) on the whole car.

[911hillclimber]

Now the excitement has died, current position and close-out.

The car now has full 4x4.
Tested on a wet grassy field with slight incline. Brief flurry of FWD wheelspin for about 1/2 second, then the car just drove away.

The pump was open circuit, car loom has 12V supply, pump out of the diff and dead. "bitch of a job"
New pump in and runs.
New oil in.
Garage did not fit new filter. Finally persuaded him the car actually has a Haldex filter on Gen4 of the system, google helped. No VAG parts list shows one, so they never get changed. I think a lot of cars do not have 4x4 when the owners think they do.

I bought the filter and they fitted it today, tested this afternoon.

So, new pump, oil and filter finally, £540.
Leaves me £25,000 - £540.

[Barry]

Excellent news: you can have a lot of fun for £24K plus change.

[911hillclimber]

Indeed, that was a near miss.
Mrs HC also has gone quiet on the subject, and of course, the Superb is running as it's name suggests. Lovely car to drive/use esp after a good weekend of racing.