Removing and installing ATF pre-heater — VW

Removing and installing ATF pre-heater on VW: 17 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

On the VW Touareg II (7P, 2010–2018) the ATF pre-heater is bolted to the side of the automatic gearbox and fed by coolant, and reaching it means taking the transfer box out first. After that the heat shield over the coolant lines is removed, the vacuum hose to the brake booster is pulled off, and coolant hoses on both sides of the gearbox are clamped and disconnected. The coolant pipes come off the gearbox, then the two ATF pipe bolts are removed and the pipes pulled out, which lets gearbox oil escape. The pre-heater is then unbolted and lifted out together with its coolant pipes once the change-over valve connector is unplugged. Keeping the ATF circuit clean and sealed while it is open is what matters most.

17 steps

🧭 Before you start

Remove the transfer box, the heat shield and the brake booster vacuum hose. Clamp and disconnect the coolant hoses on both sides, remove the coolant pipes, then unbolt and pull the ATF pipes and plug them immediately. Unbolt the pre-heater, unplug the change-over valve and remove it with its coolant pipes. Refit in reverse, push the ATF lines in to their stop, then top up coolant.

Fits: VW Touareg II (7P, 2010–2018)

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Plug the ATF pipes straight away to keep dirt out of the gearbox circuit.
Catch the ATF that runs out when the pipes are released.
Push the ATF lines fully into the gearbox to their stop before fitting bolts (1) and (2).
Clamp off coolant hoses before releasing them to limit coolant loss.
Top up coolant afterwards and check the ATF level (general practice).

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

Remove transfer box Transfer box and final drives34Removing and installing transfer box.
Remove heat shield (1) for coolant lines from gearbox, if present. Remove bolts (arrows A) to do this.
Pull vacuum hose (1) from vacuum pipe (2) (leads to brake booster).
Place drip tray for workshop hoistVAS 6208 under engine/gearbox.
Disconnect coolant hoses on left side of gearbox by unfastening hose clamps up to 25 mm3094.

VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →

Then remove hose clips, from coolant pipes (A), e.g. using hose clip pliersV.A.G 1921. Pull coolant hoses off coolant pipes.
Remove coolant hoses on right side of gearbox by unfastening hose clamps up to 40 mm3093 and remove coolant hoses from coolant pipes (A).
Pull bleed hose (B) off retaining clip on coolant pipe.
Remove coolant pipes (A) from gearbox (arrows).
Remove bolts (1) and (2) and pull ATF pipes off gearbox. Catch oil which runs out.
Use suitable plugs from engine bung setVAS 6122 to seal ATF pipes (to prevent dirt getting in).
Unbolt ATF pre-heater from gearbox (arrows).
Pull connector (1) off change-over valveN 471(2) and remove ATF pre-heater together with coolant pipes from gearbox.
Bolt ATF pre-heater (arrows) onto gearbox, connect coolant pipes to gearbox and connect to coolant hoses.
Remove plugs and push ATF lines into gearbox to stop.
Install bolts (1) and (2).
Top up coolant 19Cooling system.

Other VW procedures

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.