dj_lex

With great disappointment i tell you that today while i was chasing a BMW 520 D, my crankshaft o-ring (seal) gave up, and all the engine oil, went right on the extremly hot exhaust (i was doing 160 kmh 2nd gear shift at 6000 rpm, 3rd gear shift at 5000 rpm and.....blown out). Smoke allover....

Now, anyone had this issue before?
And, anyone has a step by step procedure to safely remove the transmission and put it back up?

'96 A8, 3.7 V8, FWD.

P.S. i'm talking about the seal between the engine and transmission...(stupid note, but, however ).
THX

JimR

<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/transremovereplace.html">It's for the AWD trans, but better than nothing. I expect yours is similar.</a></li></ul>

dj_lex

Hmm, today my mechanic told me that it's not the engine seal, but the converter clutch seal and that the tc bushing is broken and also oil pump blown...and the oil smoking was actually...ATF. I have some doubts, as the gearbox didn't go to Limp Home Mode....therefore, if all the oil from the tranny had been blown out, shouldn't it go to limp?

What's your opinion?
THX

JimR

Sure seems like it should have gone to limp.

dj_lex

Then you think the mechanic is just trying to rip me off some extra money? And it's only the engine seal? I can t verify him, when he removes the tranny, he can purge the oil, and then show me that there is no oil in the gearbox .. (

JimR

From what I think I know of the TCU on the 5HP24FLA trans, I'm pretty sure it would have gone into limp on such an event. I've seen the dreaded reverse-text display on multiple occasions, before my rebuild.

Not sure on the FWD trans / TCU.

There aren't many mechanics, dealership or indy, who are really all that knowledgeable about transmissions. We're really lucky to have Tozo on the forum. Too bad you're an ocean and half a continent away from Chicago, or I'd say you might haul it to his shop.

tozoM8

There is no way to tell if the TC shaft is broken without removing the tranny. You could put some fluid in the tranny and take the cooler lines off, start the car for a moment to see if it pour fluid out on the cooler line. If yes, then the pump is still OK, but since the TC seal is out, you need to remove the tranny anyway. When you remove the TC, you can look into the tranny to inspect the pump tabs. I've never seen a broken TC shaft. It is a strong pipe and it only drives the pump, not much load on it. The tranny could run out of fluid until it doesn't move anymore then it goes into limp mode. Low level doesn't trigger limp mode right away.

dj_lex

I'm thinking of that too. TC seal is the most plausible cause. I very much doubt the oil pump also. I'll change the seal, and see what's up.
The mechanic said that there was a whining noise when starting the engine, and that's why he said the pump was bad. But the car only drove 1 mile, while oil was blowing out. So i guess the whining is normal if low oil level... Plus, the gears shifted ok...