PaulW

So all of these people have had problems doing the fluid and filter change. I got another email just last night.

<i><b>So when you have the fluid and filter changed, MAKE SURE THIS O-RING/GASKET IS IN PLACE!</b></i> It is part of the pressure boundary from the resevoir to the hydraulic pump. It would be easy to leave off if it comes off with the old filter (which I think it does). I would get a new one!

If left off, the hydraulic pump could suck air in instead of drawing oil in from the sump.

I need to post all the new pictures and modify the transmission fluid/filter procedure to be more specific. I will do it soon!

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/tranfilchange20.JPG">

D3AeighT

Paul, towards the very end on the write-up you describe adding 4 quarts but you indicated 8 quarts required at the beginning of the article. When my tranny service was just completed by the dealer it indicated they used just 4 quarts of fluid. Did I miss something in the read. I want to take exception with the dealer and say they messed up the service and that they should have used at least 8 quarts and perhaps that is why the tranny failed after the service and I had to have my tranny replace. I want to build a case to get some of my money back on the replaced transmission. I want to use your write-up as a starting point of my case........but want to make sure it reads the correct way, if you know what I mean. Thanks

QCRAZY

...you start the car and finish adding fluid (Y qts).

Finally, you make sure the tranny fluid has reached proper temp and make sure the fluid is still topped off. That's it.

4 qts is not enough. My A6 took about 3.5 qts to fill initally. Then it took another 1.5 qts after starting the car. The A8 takes more fluid than an A6.

D3AeighT

on the invoice then they definitely did NOT do the procedure correctly? Or will they / could they say they were just being nice and only charging me for 4 quarts. Of course they can and will say anything! I need to know how to approach the situation. They were good to me on the price of the tranny replacement costs but in my opinion there shouldn't have been any cost above the tranny filter/fluid change.

PaulW

Like I said, I have to change the procedure to make it so it will be hard to screw up. When I posted it, I used Barry's procedure because I had not done it myself.

The first time I had the dealer do it on my car, they charged me for 5 quarts, the second time 7.

I think we opened 7 quarts when I helped ScotD do his if it wasn't 8.

pw

my97A8

40c is what indicates as a temp for adding/checking output of trans fluid. This is not the full operating temp. I have gotten measuring block reads in the 80-85c range.

ryoung

"The ATF level is correct if, at an ATF temperature of 30-45C (86-113F), there is still a slight escape of fluid through the filler plug hole (the oil rises when it is heated)."

This is definitely less than normal operating temperature. If the engine has run too long, it's impossible to check fluid level correctly until until everything cools off. If the level is at the filler plug hole at normal operating temperature, there's not enough ATF in the tranny.

Besides this, you have to run the tranny thru the gears to be certain air is out of all the many passages after draining ATF.

Again quoting the Bentley, "With brake pedal pushed down and engine at idle, move selector lever through all positions (P, R, N, D, 4, 3, 2). Hold selector lever in each position for approx. 10 seconds."

I've no doubt that either or both of the above is the reason many dealers screw up the tranny fluid change.

my97A8

when changing the filter/filling ?
Just fill w/ approx 4 liters then start cold engine check measuring blocks till 40c then begin filling again and shifting through gears until fluid runs out???? I'm going to attempt this next weekend. I already have the audipages write up.

ryoung

once the car's been on the road, it takes forever for the tranny to cool off. If the car is at all warm, by the time you spend 10 sec in every gear, you're probably be above 40 oC.

This may be a two day job (or Saturday evening and Sunday morning). Fill to overflow with temp below 40 oC, reinstall the fill plug, run the tranny thru all the gears, let the car sit overnight, and then refill to overflow the next morning.

Definitely turn off the A/C compressor by putting the A/C in econ mode. It might also help to set the passenger compartment heater controls at max; this should slow the increase in coolant temp.

Paul, any other practical suggestions?

JimR

A new one of those came with both the A6 and A8 new filters.