Hippo
Lord Hippo
- Posts
- 53,856
DIY VCU service
- Thread starter jedi
- Start date
This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Alibro
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 7,183
- Location
- Northern Ireland
Wow, looks like your fluid was a heck of a lot thinner than mine, that's confirmation that my VCU was totally f*$%ed.
Your VCU might have been a little stiffer than normal but it probably had a fair few miles left in it.
Interesting that it came out under pressure. That may indicate I will never get the air/fluid ratio correct, mind you I suspect the recon guys probably don't get it perfect either so what the heck, I'll give it a go, keep testing with the one wheel up test and see what happens.
Your VCU might have been a little stiffer than normal but it probably had a fair few miles left in it.
Interesting that it came out under pressure. That may indicate I will never get the air/fluid ratio correct, mind you I suspect the recon guys probably don't get it perfect either so what the heck, I'll give it a go, keep testing with the one wheel up test and see what happens.
Last edited:
Hippo
Lord Hippo
- Posts
- 53,856
I was testing regular for some time and spotted it change. I took it oft to compare against previous figures on the bench and it took longer. Rear wheels spin ok etc in the air. Had the vid for a while but forgot to upload.
guineafowl21
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 3,349
- Location
- Inverness
Alibro and Diesel Do, could you indulge me and try everything in your sheds to see what best dissolves the old fluid? I'm thinking petrol, diesel, brake cleaner, paraffin, etc.
The man who sells the new fluid suggested 'panel wipe'. Not sure what this is...
The man who sells the new fluid suggested 'panel wipe'. Not sure what this is...
Alibro
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 7,183
- Location
- Northern Ireland
Anybody got a spare pair of VCU end bolts or can tell me the spec of them? I had to hammer mine so hard to get the prop-shaft off they are both bent. Don't fancy paying £20 for two bolts.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVE...237?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ab4b0b03d
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVE...237?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ab4b0b03d
Alibro
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 7,183
- Location
- Northern Ireland
I'm reluctant to mess about with it if I don't have to as I want to know the exact weight that comes out, but I guess I could try pulling some out and weighing it before testing.
I was thinking of trying acetone but on reflection it would probably cause all sorts of harm to any paint or coating on the inside of the VCU.
guineafowl21
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 3,349
- Location
- Inverness
Yes, perhaps after you've weighed it.
That youtube vid that htr posted showing some softly chuckling Germans reconning a VW VCU was interesting. There's no coating inside, but you wouldn't want to degrease any bearings in there, or ruin O-rings. I think they used brake clean to clean the plates but not sure. Anyone speak German?
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 26,398
- Location
- Christchurch, New Zealand
I'm not so sure weighing it will be of any benefit even if you manage to get 100% of it into a container.
Going by the doc that HTR posted, the plates in the VCU wear - they mentioned alternate plate pairs wearing. That being the case, the steel will be suspended in the fluid and as/if its a different density will give misleading results. I'm not sure how much they will wear - if its only a tiny bit, I suppose it won't matter.
I haven't read the whole doc, but maybe that suspended steel helps them to go stiff?
Going by the doc that HTR posted, the plates in the VCU wear - they mentioned alternate plate pairs wearing. That being the case, the steel will be suspended in the fluid and as/if its a different density will give misleading results. I'm not sure how much they will wear - if its only a tiny bit, I suppose it won't matter.
I haven't read the whole doc, but maybe that suspended steel helps them to go stiff?
Alibro
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 7,183
- Location
- Northern Ireland
This whole thing is one compromise after another, If I can weigh what comes out then how much to put back in is an educated guess. If I don't then it is just a guess.
- Posts
- 83,282
- Location
- Embasinga stocæ
Interesting to watch op2:
So many unknowns stillop2:
op2:So many unknowns still
op2:
Diesel Do
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,213
- Location
- Nottingham
jonaf
Active Member
- Posts
- 113
- Location
- Sarpsborg, Norway
I think you're right about the wear debris suspended in the fluid. When you leave the old dark fluid in a container for some time it will become clear and the crud will drop to the bottom.
Diesel Do
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,213
- Location
- Nottingham
Don't think you're getting how thick the stuff is! In 24hrs it hasn't run at all. Nothing seems to dissolve it. It's soaking in red diesel at the mo! See what happens
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 26,398
- Location
- Christchurch, New Zealand
I think there's an earner here Rodney!
Draining tight VCUs, letting the fluid settle, putting the clear fluid back into 'reconditioned' VCUs what we can sell down the market for £200 and selling the sediment back to LR to bung in their magnetised suspension struts for $$$.
This time next year we could be miwyonaires!
Diesel Do
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,213
- Location
- Nottingham
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 26,398
- Location
- Christchurch, New Zealand
Last edited:
Alibro
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 7,183
- Location
- Northern Ireland
Your not kidding, 24 hours and only a small amount has come out. At this rate it might take six months to drain.
I was wondering if it is possible to fit a hydrolastic valve to the top hole so I could use my pump to try and force the fluid out. Probably wouldn't work even with the sort of pressure it can put in though.
Might still end up cutting the end off.
Diesel Do
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 5,213
- Location
- Nottingham
Your not kidding, 24 hours and only a small amount has come out. At this rate it might take six months to drain.
I was wondering if it is possible to fit a hydrolastic valve to the top hole so I could use my pump to try and force the fluid out. Probably wouldn't work even with the sort of pressure it can put in though.
Might still end up cutting the end off.
That won't shift the grease between the plates! They're pretty much glued together
Hippo
Lord Hippo
- Posts
- 53,856
The reason for reconners cutting them open is due to most peeps letting them go too far before they realise they have a vcu problem. I noticed mine change due to regular testing. Hence why mine seems happy to flow out. Cutting open is the only way to clean proper if it's near solidified inside.
