jmmillerfzr

Well decided to undertake the fluid/filter change on my 2001 a8l at 158k. Recently it seemed to shift a little strange and I decided it was just time. So far I have encountered a few hiccups. The drain plug will not budge and I don't want to strip it. The fill plug will not budge, used the 18v 1/2 drive dewalt impact and the air impact and no movement. Decided to jut drop the pan and take a swim, what a mess. One pan bolt was rusted and the tips for the torx bit would not engage, only on one. Ground a slot in it and used a screw driver. The fluid is black and there are some very little fines on the magnets. Just needed to take a brake. I'll post some pictures later.

jmmillerfzr

Got it put back together, just need to put fluid in tomorrow, got to get a pump to get new fluid in. Pics of the magnets.

jmmillerfzr

I got a gear lube pump this morning and went about filling the transmission. I was able to get about 4 liters in before starting the car. I got my wife in and got the car running and she was putting it through the gears with the break on. I got about another 3 liters in when it started pouring out. At this point the bottom of the pan was warm to the touch. I put the fill plug in and took it for a drive. It seemed to shift better, or might be psychological, or it shifts better warmed up. I'll drive it a few days and see if the feeling continues. I also topped off all the differentials, most needed about a 100ml. The one behind the transmission took almost 300ml. I need to replace the seal on the back of the transmission, but right now I'll live with a little drip. Change the oil today and should be good until next spring.

jmmillerfzr

Well gtot the oil changed wiithout any surprises. The output shaft leak was more then a drip and I found the seal in some part I ordered a whole back. The exhaust bolt were rusty and looking I figured I could change the seal without dropping the exhaust. Backed the car up some ramps and went to work, went great and very little lube spilled. Polished up the shaft and put it back together. Good day. Now I'm looking at my sagging headliner.

nossisnave

When you say the trans was shifting strange what exactly was it doing? I've got the identical cal w/ 172k and it acts like its in gear but you need to start slow or else it will drop into neutral. Once you're going it nearly never occurs unless you mat it and it has to drop several gears. I'm hoping maybe solenoid for 2nd is bad

jmmillerfzr

It seemed to clunk at times and would not down shift, like starting off in third. Seems much better now, only put twenty miles on it so far.