Gearbox fault!
 

Hi Guys,

I have a 2008 Quattro Sport 3.0 tdi A8, and recently the gearbox has entered limp mode... four times in total! the first time was a surprise and then the second time it happened again and I found it extremely strange that despite living some 260 miles away and only going here ever five or so week, the second time the car went in to limp mode was eight feet from the last time on the same piece of road, despite doing almost 1,500 miles a month. :Confused:

The road is the long incline road out of Bath back to Cornwall and both times was at half five in slow moving traffic, probably about 30-40 mph so assume that the roads layout of it's long gradual incline cause my gearbox issues traveling at a slow speed. It's done it twice since and both times was going up hill.

I have read about the various fluid in the gearbox and as far as I'm aware mine has not been opened. The car has been serviced recently but not the gearbox as it wasn't suggested to be done by Audi. I have taken the car to a Specialist in Cornwall that come recommended by a few car clubs with VAG motors. They claim that the gear box needs a complete rebuild due to two faults... the first being 1) Transmission Friction Element / Clutch C and the 2nd) Transmission Friction Element / Clutch E. The gear changes are not as smooth as they were and this was noticed slightly before the first fault so assumed the fluid levels were down.

I've checked for leaks on the gearbox and there are none... so now I'm stuck and not sure which way to go, so looking on hear to you guys for support and options.

Here is the print out I had from the Audi Specialist.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Regards

Mark

Hi Mark,

The attachment isn't showing....

How many miles on the car ?

It is quit unusual for the D3 gearbox to go. Not unheard of, but quite rare....

Might be worth considering a 2nd hand box as a cost effective alternative...

Hi Buddy,

I've just noticed the attachment not showing, but yeah I've read many stories of people saying they've had issues, opened the gear box and done an oil change and everything was fine again, but these specialist seem to think a rebuild cost between the quotes I've received so for £2,200 -£3,500 which with mine being the age it is, might not be cost effective. the mileage on the car is 91,000

Regards,

Mark

How many miles? I have the same model but 2 years older and 250,000 miles and the gearbox is not worn out yet. It's as smooth as butter.
I just changed the fluid for the 3rd time 2 weeks ago, so 2 changes over 249,000 miles but only one of those included the filter and sump removal. I would be tempted to get a scond opinion, usually other stuff goes before the clutches.
What are the fault codes?

Hi mate,

I did post up the image of the report but for some reason it doesn't want to display.

anyway...

009986 - Transmission Friction Element / Clutch C
P2702 - 000 - Apply Time Implausible - Intermittent
Freeze Frame
Fault Status: 00110000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset Counter: 255
Mileage: 14847 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.06.01
Time: 16:49:04

Freeze Frame
RPM: 1824 /Min
RPM: 1792 /min
RPM: 2272 /min
(no units): 70.0
(no units) 104.0
Temperature: 85.0 oc
T.B. Angle: 40.8 o

009988 - Transmissions Friction Element / Clutch E
P2704 - 000 - Apply Time Implausible - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00110000
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset Counter: 255
Mileage: 149213
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.06.07
Time: 16:02:56

Regards

Mark.

Hi,

Can anyone make any sense of the fault codes that I've posted? Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Mark.

I would check the gearbox fluid level and also has the fluid ever been changed and possibly the wrong type of fluid been put in? (ie change to later fluid without the accompanying software update)

Hi,

Wow, thanks for that! So there are different types of fluid for my car, and there are also gearbox software updates also??? :Confused: But your suggesting get the different fluid to what will be in mine now... and not do the accompanying update :Confused: Have I got that right or have I misread it?

Do you have a link for the software update and also the exact name of the gearbox fluid required to change it to. What is the difference between the fluids and where can I get it? I'm expecting it to be special as I've already had people telling me it can't just be bought at Halfords or Motor factors. I don't really care about the effort needed to get it, I just want my A8 back up and being used again as at the moment I'm using the daily driver and although it's a top of the range model of the MPV of the year 2015&2016, ut's no A8 and I miss it being in my life

NO! totally incorrect!!
I'm suggesting that if the gearbox fluid was ever updated either by you/your garage or other owner previously then they may have used the wrong fluid and/or not updated the software if an update was required (which for change to a later type of fluid is required I believe).

If not then I would get the oil changed properly (the current issue may be caused by cavitation due to low fluid) and inspect the old oil for any sign of bits of clutch media in the old fluid. I'd be tempted to use someone knowledgeable like chester transmissions too

Hello not lordhefner I have looked on the internet about your faults to no avail. The clutches in the errors don't seem related so would also be thinking about fluid change to be sure.