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How to change the oil on a Mk7 Golf MQ200 or MQ250, 5 speed or 6 speed, manual gearbox.

golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
Disclaimer:- This info is for community usage. I am NOT affiliated to, or sponsored by, any company/individual to promote them or their products. Companies/individuals may NOT use my name, photos, or threads/technical guides, for financial or personal gain (fraudulent misrepresentation).

Part 1 of 4
Vehicle used in this guide

UK spec, 2014yr model, Mk7 Golf Estate (GSW), GT (Highline) trim, 1.4lt TSI (140PS) CHPA petrol engine, MQ250 6speed manual gearbox, multilink rear suspension.

Vehicles that this guide is applicable to
Any VAG (Audi/Seat/Skoda/VW) cars with the MQ250 gearbox.

Special thanks to
Forum member “surfstar” for pointing out the ROWE oil, various oil company tech depts. & my local dealer’s parts dept.

Introduction
My car is 3yrs old & has less than 20,000miles on the clock. However this gearbox has from day one been one of the worst VAG gearboxes I have driven in terms of accuracy & feel. I have done all the other usual mods, including 42DD & dieselgeek bushes, Audi TT shorter lever & relay arms etc., etc.. Whilst these modifications have vastly improved the shift feel, there is still room for improvement, & an oil change is the only thing left to be done! Whilst researching the initial information on an oil change for my 6speed manual gearbox, I found lots of conflicting advice, so I decide to get information from various sources including the VW workshop manuals (ERWIN).
 
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golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
Part 2 of 4
Research


On MQ250 Gearboxes:-

This guide was carried out on an MQ250 6 speed manual gearbox. The 6 speed is a 5 speed with a longer "add on" casing section for the sixth gear. The MQ250 is actually an old "02S" gearbox which was first introduced in 2004. The 02S is based on the 5 speed version called the "0A4" from the same year. The reason for the change in name is also the reason why we have an unusable oil filler/level plug on the front of the case! When these gearboxes were designed the gearbox case was mated to an engine which was tilted differently in the car. On the MQB platform, ALL engines are now tilted towards the rear of the car by 12deg! Therefore, the gearbox cases are all now mated differently & the old fill/level plug is now pointing in the wrong direction, & after circa 1.3lts of oil have been poured in, the rest comes out, as I found out when doing the second oil change in October 2022.

Correct grade of gearbox oil:-
Previously the most common manual gearbox oil used by VAG was a 75w90 which was to an old VW standard of VW 501 50. Since 2013 VAG now uses a part number to designate the specification of the gear oil. I have contacted VWUK, who have NO specifications on the gear oil other than the VW part number & the bottle it comes in has nothing written on it either. So it’s a big secret! When I went onto various oil brand websites & used their selector apps, I was either recommended a 75w, or a 75w80. So I phoned up a couple of companies in the UK & both stated that I should only be using a 75w & the 75w80 is the wrong oil!

However when looking at my spec of Golf via VW ETKA parts catalogue it states my MQ250 QSZ gearbox as having "high performance gear oil" part No.:- G 052 527 A2!! Looking through all MK7 manual gearboxes there are two oils listed, a “basic grade” which is based on MQ number, i.e. an MQ250 basic grade oil is part No.:-G 052 512 A2 (A2 designates quantity of 1lt bottle), & a different part number to a MQ350 basic grade oil. However ALL gearboxes have a “high-performance transmission oil” option listed & all are the same part No.:- G 052 527 A2

So what do we do for our MQ250?? Easy, look at the gear oil “recommendations” & chose one that meets both the G 052 512 A2, & G 052 527 A2 standards.

Workshop manuals/self study guides state:-

MQ200 5-speed:-
0AH design type fitted to:-
Petrol 1.2lt, 63kW, 77kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:-NHW, PKH, SAN
Oil type required = G 052 512
Quantity of oil required = 2.2lt
12 point drain/fill plugs 25Nm, six point = 30Nm

0AF design type fitted to:-
Petrol 1.2lt, 63kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- MYH, PTB
Diesel 1.6lt, 81kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- PSU
Oil type required = G 052 527 oil = PSU, PTB
Quantity of oil required = 2.1lt
12 point drain/fill plugs 25Nm, six point = 30Nm

MQ200 6-speed:-
0AJ design type fitted to:-
Petrol 1.0lt, 81kW 85kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- QGG, REK, SEE
Petrol 1.2lt, 77kW 81kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- MYF, PRL, RGN, RKC, SEH, SEK
Petrol 1.4lt, 81kW 85kW, 90kW, 92kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- MYF, PRL, RGN, SEH, SEK
Petrol 1.5lt, 96kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- RLP, SEL,
Oil type required =
G 052 171 oil = MYF
G 052 527 oil = PRL, REK, RGN
Quantity of oil = 2.3lt
12 point drain/fill plugs 25Nm, six point = 30Nm

MQ250 5-speed:-
0A4 design type fitted to:-
Diesel 1.6lt, 66kW, 77kW 81kW, 85kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- MWW, PME, QYB, RSC, RTD
Diesel 2lt, 81kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- MWX, QVW,
Oil type required = G 052 512 oil or G 052 527 oil
Quantity of oil = 1.8lt for normal oil change. 2.0lt for gearbox dismantle & rebuild
Remove reverse switch drain plug to 35Nm

MQ250 6-speed:-
02S design type fitted to:-
Petrol 1.4lt, 103kW, 110kW = Codes stamped on casing:- NBJ, QSZ, QXH, RSW,
Petrol 1.5lt, 110kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- RMH
Diesel 1.6lt, 81kW = Codes stamped on gearbox casing:- PTW, QVX, RSD,
Oil type required =
G 052 512 oil = NBJ
G 052 527 oil = PTW, QSZ
Quantity of oil = 2.1lt for normal oil change. 2.3lt for gearbox dismantle & rebuild
Remove reverse switch drain plug to 35Nm


All of these oils meet the recommendations of the G 052 512 A2, & G 052 527 A2 standards. I used Fuchs Titan Sintofluid FE SAE 75w, as it was easier for me to get hold of.

Fuchs Titan Sintofluid FE SAE 75w:-
Density at 15°C (DIN 51757) = 0,873g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C (DIN 51562-1) = 40.8mm²/s
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C (DIN 51562-1) = 6.7mm²/s
Viscosity index (DIN ISO 2909) = 119
Flash point, CoC (DIN ISO 2592) = 221°C
Pour point (DIN ISO 3016) = -44°C

ROWE Hightec Topgear FE SAE 75w80 S:-
Density at 15°C (ASTM D-7042) = 0,854g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C (ASTM D-7042) = 37.8mm²/s
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C (ASTM D-7042) = 7.5mm²/s
Viscosity index (ASTM D-7042) = 173
Flash point (ASTM D-92 / DIN EN ISO 2592) = 180°C
Pour point (ASTM D-97 / DIN EN ISO 3016) = -44°C

Febi Bilstein Gear Oil SAE 75w (GL-4):-
Density at 15°C (DIN 51757) = 0,87g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C (DIN 51562-1) = 40.8mm²/s
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C (DIN 51562-1) = ??
Viscosity index (DIN ISO 2909) = ??
Flash point, CoC (DIN ISO 2592) = 221°C
Pour point (DIN ISO 3016) = ??

Millers Oils XF Premium MTF 75w:-
Density at 15°C = 0,847g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C = ??
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C = 6.1cSt
Viscosity index = ??
Flash point, CoC = >200°C
Pour point = ??

Mobil 75w Multi-Vehicle MTF 75w:-
Density at 20°C = 0,848g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C = 37cSt
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C = 6.9cSt
Viscosity index = ??
Flash point, CoC = ??
Pour point (DIN ISO 3016) = -39°C

Comma MV MFT Plus 75w Fully Synthetic MFT (rebranded Mobil oil):-
Density at 20°C = 0,848g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C = 37cSt
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C = 6.9cSt
Viscosity index = ??
Flash point, CoC = ??
Pour point = -39°C

Castrol Transmax Manual V 75w80:-
Density at 15°C (DIN ISO12185) = 0,860g/ml
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C (ASTAM D445) = 40mm²/s
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C (ASTAM D445) = 8.1mm²/s
Viscosity index (DIN ISO 2909) = 151
Flash point, CoC (DIN ISO 2592) = 220
Pour point (DIN ISO 3016) = -60°C

What is very strange is that the Fuchs 75w80 does not meet either of the two standards required for our gearboxes & yet the ROWE is a 75w80 & does meet both standards! :confused:

So DO NOT go by the “W” rating, only go by the “recommendations” list on the oil bottle!!

List of other VW oil specs:-

https://www.oilspecifications.org/volkswagen.php

Edit October 2022:-

I am currently using this oil:-
Millers Oils Motorsport CRX 75w NT+
This is a fixed 75w to API GL-4 with their "Nanodrive" ester technology. It has NOT been sent to VAG for approval, as they don't do this for their motorsport oils, so "use at your own risk" is the legal answer! However, it has similar characteristics to their "normal" Millers Oils XF Premium MTF 75w which is approved to the VW specs 052 512 A2, & G 052 527 A2.

Initial observations:-
  1. The car is even quieter, with less transmission noise generally, & especially under heavy acceleration in 3rd & 4th gears (when overtaking).
  2. The car freewheels more when you come off the accelerator. In fact on a flat straight at 60mph there is little initial difference when you come off the accelerator & have the clutch depressed or not!
  3. The gears slide in better. When moving from 2nd to 3rd or 4th to 5th, you would have to fully push the gearstick forwards into the higher gear from neutral. Now once the gearstick is out of the lower gear, across neutral & just edges into the higher gear…..it just drops straight in!
 
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golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
Part 3 of 4
Parts required

VAG ETKA illustration for Golf/2013/Gearbox/No.311-088

Parts list & approx. costs in UK £
Item No.8A:- N 90362001
, “O” ring £2.48 (x1) (only required for the MQ250 gearboxes)

Procedure for the MQ200 gearboxes
This is the old VAG gearbox drain. Basically there is one drain plug by the driveshaft to drain & onw high up on the same section to fill via. Undo the drain plug, drain oil, refit drain plug, drop car down to level ground. Then fill the oil via the upper plug until it come out of the plug. Basically the oil is level when it reaches the bottom of the fill plug hole & stop pouring out! If the drain/fill plug is a 12point TX star anti-tamper torque to 25Nm, if its a six side hex type, torque to 30Nm.


Procedure for the MQ250 gearboxes
FIRST & Highly Important!:-
You need to FIRST lock the selector mech with the little black lever handle, this is on the top side of gearbox case. Put selector in neutral & push down a small amount & feel with the other hand for the indent whilst turning the small black locking lever from 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock. If you do not do this you will lose the position of the gear selector mech in the gearbox & you are in for a tow job to the dealers!!

2. Using a 17mm hex undo the main rear drain plug & collect the oil in a suitable container.

3. After the above has fully drained remove the pivot pin plug (bolt requires T-Star T45). Allow the oil to fully drain from here. Once this has drained, fit new o-ring (VW part no. N90362001) to the plug shank. Lightly lube the plug & “O”-ring with new gearbox oil, & use a small amount of medium strength thread lock (blue Loctite) on the bolt. Replace the plug & torque bolt (25Nm/18lbft).

4. Clean threads, & replace the main drain plug & torque (35Nm/26lbft)

5. Now you can unlock (turn the black lever handle back to 9 o’clock) the selector mech & make certain it is in neutral to avoid damaging the reverse light switch.

6. Remove the reverse light switch (undo connector easy by squeezing top of tab into body), & then use a 22mm spanner or long socket.

7. Using a 10mm dia max (external) hose (18inch or 50cm) & funnel, insert hose into the hole for the reverse light switch & slowly pour in the new oil (this takes ages..so kneel on floor on cushion...)..(measure out the oil beforehand & pour no more than the stated amount for your gearbox)

8. Refit the reverse light switch & use some blue hymolar on it (flex gasket/sealant)...torque up (20Nm/15lbft). I used a 22mm diesel injector tall socket (also does Lambda sensors) & reconnect the reverse light switch.

EDIT October 2022:-
When changing the gearbox oil (every 5yrs) I now tried to fill via the "old" fill/level plug to see if this would work, if at all. The answer is NO!! Basically, after pouring in 1.3lts of oil via the "old" fill/level plug it started to come out of the fill/level hole! Therefore, the gearbox must be tilted forwards with the hole now facing downwards compared to when it was used previous to the MQB platform. This is different to the ERWIN/VAG workshop books which give the impression that the hole is pointing upwards!..Unless its "got lost in translation" from German!

I note that when used previously, the 02S gearbox had a refill of 1.9lts of oil. This tying in with the 1.9lts of oil that I drained out of the gearbox when I first changed it in 2017. However, ERWIN/VAG still state 2.3lts for a full strip down/rebuild & 2.1lts for a refill, & I got 2.1lts out this time!

I don't know why, but it requires more oil now, for some as of yet unknown reason!

temp-drain-pic-for-web.jpg
Oil-fill-temp.jpg
 
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golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
Part 4 of 4
Further considerations on procedure

For my 6 speed MQ250 it states 2.1lts for a standard drain & re-fill. However, I decided to drain mine overnight & part of the time the front was jacked up more, so the oil would run out the drain plug at the rear easier. The rest of the time the car was level. I carefully measured all the oil that came out, which was 1.9lt! So VW must have under filled the gearbox at the factory as there has never been any oil changes on the gearbox & no leaks either!

Results
I notice that the oil that came out of the rear main drain plug was darker than the new colour & acceptable. However the oil that came out of the pivot pin plug, was black!! It also had very fine metal particles in the oil, like very fine glitter. Nothing stuck to my magnet that I put in the oil, so all OK & within acceptable limits as a new gearbox & “bedding in”.

Conclusions
If you are having any problems with the gearbox I strongly recommend carrying out an oil change! Although the car was previously very quiet, now there is less noise from the transmission, less gearbox whine when you lift off the accelerator, & the gear shift feel is better also!!
 
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golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
Why do you have in the photo to not use the "old" fill plug?

From the first part of this thread:-

Research on MQ250 Gearboxes:-
This guide was carried out on an MQ250 6 speed manual gearbox. The 6 speed is a 5 speed with a longer "add on" casing section for the sixth gear. The MQ250 is actually an old "02S" gearbox which was first introduced in 2004. The 02S is based on the 5 speed version called the "0A4" from the same year. The reason for the change in name is also the reason why we have an unusable oil filler/level plug on the front of the case! When these gearboxes were designed the gearbox case was mated to an engine which was tilted towards the front of the car, now ALL engines are tilted towards the rear of the car by 12deg! Therefore the old fill/level plug is now pointing towards the bonnet & if you try to use this as the correct "level" you will overfill the gearbox with oil!!


This information is correct & from VW & the VW workshop manuals (ERWIN) which I have for this gearbox & the car.
 

russiankid

Drag Race Newbie
Location
PA
I missed that part, thanks for the info! I am guessing this does not apply to the 02Q which is used in the GTI?
 

golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
I missed that part, thanks for the info! I am guessing this does not apply to the 02Q which is used in the GTI?

CORRECT....

The MQ350...02Q, 0BB, 0FB are drain via drain plug & fill until the oil comes out the fill plug halfway up the gearbox case...so basically as it always was...just the plugs are different torques..

If you have the 6 point hex fitted = 35Nm

If you have the 12point anti tamper fitted = 45Nm
 

Navi

Autocross Champion
Location
BK/NYC/Hamptons
From the first part of this thread:-

Research on MQ250 Gearboxes:-
This guide was carried out on an MQ250 6 speed manual gearbox. The 6 speed is a 5 speed with a longer "add on" casing section for the sixth gear. The MQ250 is actually an old "02S" gearbox which was first introduced in 2004. The 02S is based on the 5 speed version called the "0A4" from the same year. The reason for the change in name is also the reason why we have an unusable oil filler/level plug on the front of the case! When these gearboxes were designed the gearbox case was mated to an engine which was tilted towards the front of the car, now ALL engines are tilted towards the rear of the car by 12deg! Therefore the old fill/level plug is now pointing towards the bonnet & if you try to use this as the correct "level" you will overfill the gearbox with oil!!


This information is correct & from VW & the VW workshop manuals (ERWIN) which I have for this gearbox & the car.

That's interesting bc awhile back I had watched the dap video about changing the gearbox oil and he uses the old fill/level plug. So his video is incorrect?
 

russiankid

Drag Race Newbie
Location
PA
CORRECT....

The MQ350...02Q, 0BB, 0FB are drain via drain plug & fill until the oil comes out the fill plug halfway up the gearbox case...so basically as it always was...just the plugs are different torques..

If you have the 6 point hex fitted = 35Nm

If you have the 12point anti tamper fitted = 45Nm

Thanks for the clarification.

That's interesting bc awhile back I had watched the dap video about changing the gearbox oil and he uses the old fill/level plug. So his video is incorrect?

DAP video is correct, GTI uses a different transmission. General concept remains the same.
 

golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
That's interesting bc awhile back I had watched the dap video about changing the gearbox oil and he uses the old fill/level plug. So his video is incorrect?

The car used in the video is a MK7 GTI, the title of the video states GTI, gearbox underside is completely different between the GTI & my pictures on MQ250....for starters there are no pivot pin plugs shown on the GTI in the video...your powers of observation are lacking I find....:cool:

Thanks for the clarification.

DAP video is correct, GTI uses a different transmission. General concept remains the same.

No problems & thanks for answering "navindralr" before I could..

Lol whoops.

yep..brain fart on your part...;)

The thread is called "How to change the oil on a MQ250..."

MK7 Golf....GTI/GTD/R/CCS use MQ350 manuals.
 

golfdave

Autocross Champion
Location
Scotland (U.K.)
Car(s)
Mk7 Golf GT Estate
You said applicable to all mk7 and 7.5. Thought that means gti included.

My statements are correct:- the MQ250 gearbox is fitted to various MK7 & MK7.5 Golf hatch & Golf estates..

There is no point in listing by "trim" spec, not even VW do this in the workshop manuals...

I just list by the Gearbox "type", not the actual gearbox code which is something completely different as the code varies depending on what engine & car model the gearbox is fitted to...

The official VW ERWIN workshop manual I have for the MQ250 gearbox in the MK7 Golf lists as follows:- VW CC 2012<, Golf Hatch 2013<, Golf Estate 2014<, Golf Cabriolet 2012<.

& lists the actual gearbox "codes" written on the gearboxes as:- KWB, NBJ, QWP, QXF, RSE, RSU, MUJ, PPJ, QWR, QWQ, RSF, RSG, NBJ, PTW, QSZ, QVX, QXH, RSD, RSW.

This gearbox is used in other VAG brands so it will have different codes there also.

However alarm bells should have started ringing in your head when I state the car used is a 1.4lt...the DAP video states a 2.0lt GTI...also there are no pivot point plugs on the underside of the GTI in the DAP video...where as my pictures show two of these...

Like I say my statements are correct you didn't bother reading correctly...."don't shoot the messenger" as they say...:cool:
 

afropelican

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
Scotland
Thanks for the guide.
I have a few questions, and was hoping you could help:

I have a mk7 golf 2013 (63 Plate) 1.2tsi 105ps 6 speed UK - would this have the same gearbox as the guide?

If I fill 2.1 litres through the 'old fill hole' on the side - would that also do the same job and save the hassle of removing the reverse light switch etc?

Finally do you have any images or further clarification on the procedure in locking the selector mech - I have changed the gear oil in other vehicles before (namely toyotas) and not had to do this. Is this procedure absolutely neccessary?
Also by placing the selector in neutral - do you mean the gear stick, or the selector linkage at the gear box itself?
 
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