SeanMul

Running a 2014 Audi Q7 3.0 TDi with 8 speed tiptronic box. Starting having issues around a week or so ago, car revving between gear changes, lurching forward when the gear bites, sticking in some gears (6th was especially fun trying to pull out from a junction...) and the start stop function not activating (stating a fault sometimes).

Audi franchise dealer done diagnostics (£60), stated that they were pretty sure there was a leak in one of the gearbox oil cooler pipes (located behind front bumper) but in order to fully diagnose which one - would need to do the following:

3 litres of gearbox oil (£105)
3 hours labour at £115 per hour (+VAT). This would involve putting the oil in, driving it up to temp so the oil coolers cut in and then identifying the leaking pipe for sure.

And then dropped the bombshell, that this is only to diagnose. So total bill would have been nearly £500 just to identify the fault - before any actual repair!!! When I challenged the hourly labour rate, they said could drop it to £85 plus vat (so still £400 just to diagnose - not to fix!)

Got a few questions:

1. Am I being ripped off? (absoloutely feels like it!)
2. Does the symptoms I am describing meet the initial diagnosis?
3. Gearbox oil - does that seem the right price for 3 litres of gearbox oil for a Q7?

Any help appreciated.

Edd W

What mileage has the car done?
The trans fluid is expensive so £105 is probably about right but diagnosing faults is expensive.

I think you need to know if there are any fault codes being reported before doing anything more.

SeanMul

50k miles - never told me what the fault codes are unfortunately

SamPer

Hi Sean,

Audi services are always expensive. Rip-offs! You can diagnose the fault codes using a code scanner/reader and understand the problem. Once you get the codes you can read about them and then take the plunge for repairs. Oil could be leaking from the hp inlet turbo ducting hose or turbo boot.

flynavy

ANY leak typically can be found by LOOKING for it without any other foolishness. If you have over 50K on your audi you should change the trans fluid anyway so that is a no brainier, but i might look for another Audi service center, as their diagnosis isn't really clear and makes little sense.

SeanMul

Took the charge of £60 for diagnostics, now put the car into an independent specialist who has identified its the oil cooler thats leaking and 2 pipes leading into it corroded. Advised replacement of all. £1250 total for all parts, oil and labour.

Just what I needed in January...

Edd W

Bear in mind if it's a fluid to coolant heat exchanger any lost fluid will end up in the coolant tank. This also means that coolant could end up in the transmission once the car is parked as a result of the pressure the coolant is under when hot.

I doubt it's a leak causing it but the first thing I would do is look for any visual signs of leaks. Check the coolant header tank for signs of trans fluid and then have the trans fluid drained and checked for signs of coolant.

Where in the UK are you?

SeanMul

Thanks folks. It's in at an Audi independent specialist now, and they have identified a leak in the oil coolant tank. 2 x pipes are corroded as well. Looking like a sore one financially to fix it

I'm based just outside Glasgow Edd.