Steen2

2002 S6, 170k miles. Audi dealer serviced the transmission at 60k miles, when i asked for it to be done again at 120k, they said "if working okay, leave it alone."
Now at 1800-2000 rpm, primarily in 3rd gear, noticeable shudder.
Audi dealer checked it out, can feel the shudder, tested tranny as "okay, no problems they would see as a tranny going out, input power? rpm? same as output in each gear. They are baffled.
I'm due for 2nd timing belt, but don't want to spend the money if the tranny is going out.

anyone experience something similar? thanks.

4Driver4

Fluid level checked? Any codes? I can't help but LOL; trans hasn't been serviced in 110k miles and you sound surprised that it is having issues. Why not change the fluid and filter?

Steen2

i tried to service it. the audi dealer said, in their opinion, to leave it alone. NO Codes, fluid level is fine. Some dealers/techs believe in changing fluid and filters on tranny, some don't.

Kris Hansen

It can hurt to power flush the trans, but a simple drain, filter, gasket and fill shouldn't cause problems as long as it's filled correctly.

That rev range usually is in the area of TC lockup though, I wonder if it's having a problem?

What kind of driving style does it take to reproduce the problem? Heavy acceleration, casual, Drive, tip mode?

Steen2

Casual driving, like stop and go traffic, just motoring along at that 1800-2000 rpm range. Happens in Drive and Tip (in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear as long as revs are right). not in Sport, as sport by design just keeps the revs up - which is how i am driving it now all the time. i feel this will just hasten it's demise. for what its worth, i just spoke to 3 techs (audi dealers), and 2 service advisors, all agree that changing fluid now and moving the dirt around??, in their experience will finish the transmission off.

I know 170k miles is a lot, but it has had one fluid and filter change in tranny (tried to do the right thing...), doesn't burn a drop of motor oil, no squeaks, no rattles, drives perrfect in every other way. VERY well maintained by Audi dealer. hard to believe a $61k car (when new) is done at 170,000 miles. But $5500-7000 parts and labor for a new, rebuilt or even used) is too much.

4Driver4

ZF, the manufacturer, has a specified a maintenance interval. It's not a matter of "belief".

PPGOAL

It doesn't sound like the car is DONE....just maybe the transmission needs maintenance or repair. Cheap approach is to change fluid and see if that fixes it. If not, $5-7k sounds like a lot of money, but if everything else is cherry then it is a lot cheaper and less risky than a used, newer Audi. You could also check out a transmission shop instead of the dealer. It may be less costly.

JHKS6

My 2002 S6 with 30,000 miles had similar issues about 3 weeks ago.
The car has been in my garage since then while I have been talking with
the extended warranty company. Yesterday the Warranty company advised they were sending someone to look at the car, and I should bring it back to the repair shop. Half way through my 2 mile drive, it locked in 4th gear limp home mode.

4Driver4

Any codes? Fluid level checked? Changed fluid?
Not much info here.

Just Me

yep. listen to then man. ZF says do it. Just dont flush, and make sure the doer is knowledgeable abotu the incantations and weirdness - proper temp; run through gears, etc.