Advice needed on tranny issues
#11
AudiWorld Super User
Okay, just got back from the shop. Since it was pretty chilly this morning, sure enough, they couldn't really get it to act up like it did in warmer weather. They said once it may have felt a bit of a jerk when downshifting from 2nd to 1st, but very minor. They also said that the reverse still seemed very strong and solid, which was good.
So, they pretty much told me to leave it as is. To change the filter and fluid would've been like $700 - $800, which I'm thinking I could probably do myself if it's that much.
Anyway, they seemed to be of the opinion that the transmission was bound to fail eventually, and that paying to have the fluid and filter changed would only be a waste of money. They mentioned something about wear from clutch packs getting into the fluid, and how if I changed to clean fluid which would be thinner, it might actually accelerate the problem.
I know ZF specifies changing the fluid, but Audi doesn't. What I'm wondering is: does the mechanic's story make sense? I mean, I don't want to be some **** retentive guy who changes the fluid just because it looks "icky." Bottom line, I just want to do whatever prolongs the need to get the transmission rebuilt/replaced for as long as possible. If, for some reason, it will last longer with thicker, nasty fluid in there, then I've got no problem leaving it in.
So, they pretty much told me to leave it as is. To change the filter and fluid would've been like $700 - $800, which I'm thinking I could probably do myself if it's that much.
Anyway, they seemed to be of the opinion that the transmission was bound to fail eventually, and that paying to have the fluid and filter changed would only be a waste of money. They mentioned something about wear from clutch packs getting into the fluid, and how if I changed to clean fluid which would be thinner, it might actually accelerate the problem.
I know ZF specifies changing the fluid, but Audi doesn't. What I'm wondering is: does the mechanic's story make sense? I mean, I don't want to be some **** retentive guy who changes the fluid just because it looks "icky." Bottom line, I just want to do whatever prolongs the need to get the transmission rebuilt/replaced for as long as possible. If, for some reason, it will last longer with thicker, nasty fluid in there, then I've got no problem leaving it in.
If I had it do over, I would have pumped the old ATF back in and gone with the new filter only (always a good idea), but had 8 liters of new stuff on hand already...old ATF still had good color, smell and no shavings on the magnets...BUT the filter was apparently a bit constricted, since the hard downshift went away mostly (only once in a blue moon now).
IMHO, if you find burnt fluid and lotsa shavings on the magnets, yes your trans is probably shot anyway and on borrowed time. I believe, by simple logic, new ATF at that time will simply speed up the transmission's eventual demise. For much the same reason that a simple drain and refill (without changing the filter) is a stupid move...new detergents in the new ATF will clean up more deposits and send straight to an already partially restricted old filter...bad move. By the same logic, new ATF detergents can clean off beneficial deposits acting as friction aids on otherwise worn (near failure?) clutches in the trans. This makes sense to me and many others who have reported total failure shortly after service on trans's with burnt fluid and lotsa shavings....coincidence? ...I'm prone not to think so...failures of anything shortly after service point me to believe "bad idea" or incorrectly performed service.
Cheers
Last edited by silverd2; 10-29-2014 at 12:34 PM.
#12
This makes sense to me and many others who have reported total failure shortly after service on trans's with burnt fluid and lotsa shavings....coincidence? ...I'm prone not to think so...failures of anything shortly after service point me to believe "bad idea" or incorrectly performed service.
#13
And now that I read more carefully I see Silver already mentioned that. Whoops. Sorry for the duplicate post.
#14
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Well, I took it to a different shop today and had the filter and fluid changed (for much less than the $700 mentioned by the other shop). He said there wasn't any metal shavings in the pan, but the fluid smelled burnt.
On the drive home, the symptoms persisted, and maybe got a little bit worse. I guess all that's left at this point is to drive it till it dies...
On the drive home, the symptoms persisted, and maybe got a little bit worse. I guess all that's left at this point is to drive it till it dies...
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