Banditbanger

OK, expensive, but I will survive if it comes to that. One more question: is it possible that thisis something else? I don't know much about transmissions, but since this only happens in 2 gear, does each gear have its own clutch?

I looked at the invoice and it only lists ATF change, no filter. Seems odd to me but I asked if there were any metallic particles on the magnets when I picked up the car, and they said there werent any (what is the chance of that happening on a car with almost 100.000 miles?). Will talk to the service today....

Banditbanger

I agree, I've been thinking about changing the control chip (or reprogram this one, I don't know the procedure). Anyone with first hand experience?

Banditbanger

OK, was just on the phone with the service - tehy told me THERE IS NO FILTER to change????? They also told me that the ATF was perfectly clear and fine.

No I'm puzzled.

JimR

Is it a 5 speed?

If so, I'm betting money it's a 5HP19A, the same as on a 2.8 petrol-engined car, here. Any way you could find that out? Ask on tyresmoke?

Many dealers are pretty clueless on transmission servicing, as Audi/ZF have this "lifetime system, never needs service" mindset.

The 5HP19A damn sure has a filter. Here's the ones from ours, new and used:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1018/a6_service_010.jpg">

Here's where it lives:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1018/a6_service_013.jpg">

Here's what the fluid looks like, after about 60k:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1018/a6_service_015.jpg">

Ready to dive in:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1018/a6_service_007.jpg">

Banditbanger

Hi,

yes it's a 5 speed, model 2001... I will check for the type of transmission. Any way to do that without crawling under the car?

Thank you very much for all the help....

JimR

Ask on tyresmoke. You do know about that forum, right?

Dig around on ZF's sites for a European application guide. There is a U.S. version that summarizes which cars use which ZF transmissions. Since it's a U.S. version, it doesn't address what transmissions are on cars with engines that didn't make it across the pond.

How close is the dealer? Go to the parts guy, ask to look at the transmission plate for your car in ETKA, the computer parts program. It'll show a filter (they may call it a "strainer"; you know what it looks like from my pic).

Knowing it's a 5-speed tip, I'd bet money it's a 5HP19A, and that there's a filter. I think your dealer is clueless.

Banditbanger

OK, my car is in the shop now... Spoke with the chief mechanic, he said naturally there's a filter (he calls it a "sifter" ). Anyway, they will plug it to their computer and look for any error codes, even though he told me that in case of mechanical error like burned clutch plates the codes won't be there.

He suggested we start wit some simple, less costly procedures, and see if they work (this is mainly changing the ATF and filter again). He didn't recommend tranny rebuild because of bad experiences with this procedure (I suspect they don't know how to do it ). Better to buy factory rebuilt tranny, but it costs around $ 5.000. Great. Better to sell the car and buy another one.

Will se what they will tell me when they take a look.

JimR

Here in the U.S. we can get a rebuilt 5HP24A for the A8, intalled, for around US$3500. I'd dig around at tyresmoke and see if anyone has ID'd a similar rebuilder over there.

Good luck!

00_AvantA6

Could you please share/ send the link for your VW ATF change write-up? thanks