D5 transmission fluid and timing chain.
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
D5 transmission fluid and timing chain.
Both of these have no service intervals as per Audi.
Are these really maintenance free items? That's shocking to me. I presume there is a center diff. As well? Really? No fluid changes?
Are these really maintenance free items? That's shocking to me. I presume there is a center diff. As well? Really? No fluid changes?
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Nothing really new there. They haven’t had any service interval on the ZF or the timing chain on any model since they switched back to them from belts. That doesn’t mean it does not have to be done. In Europe I saw there are ZF specific shops that do regular maintenance on them. I’m figuring at a minimum change the fluid and filter at 75-90k miles to be safe but I am sure there are many with 100k+ without any issues.
Changing the timing chain might be major surgery since it is betweeen the block and tranny now. I saw one video where they split the old chain and attach the new chain to feed it through from the top but I am not sure that works with all motors. I believe Audi drops the engine trans and separates them to do chain replacements.
Changing the timing chain might be major surgery since it is betweeen the block and tranny now. I saw one video where they split the old chain and attach the new chain to feed it through from the top but I am not sure that works with all motors. I believe Audi drops the engine trans and separates them to do chain replacements.
#3
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Nothing really new there. They haven’t had any service interval on the ZF or the timing chain on any model since they switched back to them from belts. That doesn’t mean it does not have to be done. In Europe I saw there are ZF specific shops that do regular maintenance on them. I’m figuring at a minimum change the fluid and filter at 75-90k miles to be safe but I am sure there are many with 100k+ without any issues.
Changing the timing chain might be major surgery since it is betweeen the block and tranny now. I saw one video where they split the old chain and attach the new chain to feed it through from the top but I am not sure that works with all motors. I believe Audi drops the engine trans and separates them to do chain replacements.
Changing the timing chain might be major surgery since it is betweeen the block and tranny now. I saw one video where they split the old chain and attach the new chain to feed it through from the top but I am not sure that works with all motors. I believe Audi drops the engine trans and separates them to do chain replacements.
"If you are fortunate enough to own an A8 that still manages to work to this point, either shell out a lot of money for a new A8 or a lot of money to keep it running. Either way, "good game" on making it thus far. Most folks don't"
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Thanks for this information. So to translate (and to make a small joke if I may)
"If you are fortunate enough to own an A8 that still manages to work to this point, either shell out a lot of money for a new A8 or a lot of money to keep it running. Either way, "good game" on making it thus far. Most folks don't"
"If you are fortunate enough to own an A8 that still manages to work to this point, either shell out a lot of money for a new A8 or a lot of money to keep it running. Either way, "good game" on making it thus far. Most folks don't"
Trans service is $1400 ($600 is fluid). I image the A8 will be along those same lines.
Timing chain upper tensioners only $4500 and they do that without removing the engine. I'm sure replacing the chain is over $10k
I guess that is why there is some truth in that you should "lease only", always under warranty and swap it out every 3-4 years.
Last edited by gk1; 11-24-2018 at 07:34 PM.
#5
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Unfortunately it is the same truth for ALL German luxury makes and even lower models. I am shelling out a bunch of dough on just my 2014 SQ5 since I (and more importantly my wife) do not like the new SQ5 and don't want to trade it.
Trans service is $1400 ($600 is fluid). I image the A8 will be along those same lines.
Timing chain upper tensioners only $4500 and they do that without removing the engine. I'm sure replacing the chain is over $10k
I guess that is why there is some truth in that you should "lease only", always under warranty and swap it out every 3-4 years.
Trans service is $1400 ($600 is fluid). I image the A8 will be along those same lines.
Timing chain upper tensioners only $4500 and they do that without removing the engine. I'm sure replacing the chain is over $10k
I guess that is why there is some truth in that you should "lease only", always under warranty and swap it out every 3-4 years.
My guess is that the A8 is probably one of the worst cars to work on, from a maintenance perspective, out of the German 3. It's a beautiful car, with a great ride and great interior, but I don't think the Ingolstadt boffins were seriously thinking about maintenance costs etc.If I were a high mileage driver, I would have bought a LS500, but since I'm not, I'm ok driving 10 years and 120,000km in an A8.
I guess based on this thread my intent is not to ever own the A8 once it gets to the point of needing a transmission fluid change or timing chain replacement. That said, neither are maintenance items so thus if something does go, my extended warranty will cover it :-) That I made sure of!
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