HACK THS

I have a 1998 A8. I have a high pitched whine coming from under the car. My tech knows it is coming from the transmission. Once the car warms up it goes away, but does return. This first happened the other night when the temp dropped from 60* on day to 20* the next. The tranny fluid is not low- confirmed by my mechanic.

I have does searches and found that the most likely culprit is the tranny fluid and filter. I also saw the website about the parts needed etc. My question is if my problem sounds like that common tranny problem? Also if there is any advice that could be passed on- do I have to replace the fluid several times? The car has been driven for a week now with the noise. I want to know what my chances are that something more serious might have happened driving it without knowing what the problem was.

Also for those that have had this and/or fixed it, what are the costs involved. I do not have the time nor the equipment to do the work myself, but I would like to know what my shop "should" be charging ;-)

Any advice, tips, assistance would be greatly appreciated!
THANKS AGAIN!

skiracer

Changing the fluid and filter is by far the best first step. If you buy the filter kit yourself and take it to a GOOD mechanic, the charge should be for around 2-2.5 hours of labor and 7-8 liters of Audi (only use the correct Audi fluid, no substitutions!) synthetic mineral based transmission fluid. Also, print out the directions from Audipages and take them to the mechanic- it seems that very few mechanics understand the correct procedure for refilling the fluid. Also, get this done as soon as possible, because every time you start the car and hear this niose it could be damaging the pump.

wws03

see my post below... I had the cavitating sound briefly too, and audipages.com was very informative. I printed that out and gave it to my mechanic to follow.

PaulW

They are a tranny shop and this is a common procedure for them, or so I would think. They even advertise tranny fluid changes on TV.

You would just have to make sure they use Audi fluid and bring the filter to them from Wendy.

pw

JimR

I just wouldn't trust them. And they probably wouldn't be able to check ATF temperature to fill properly, not having a VAG-Tool or VAG-COM

PaulW

....we've determined dealers don't some or more of the time....I guess you are right.

skiracer

Not to mention the fill port!

snolvr8

Reminds me of when I worked for a VW dealer in the early 90's:
A lady took her new 5 speed Jetta to Jiffy Lube for a 3000 mile oil change, when she left the clutch started slipping. She drove down the street to us. Our tech openned the inspection plug in the bell housing, and Surprise! The bell housing was topped off with ATF!