Kickdown issue and a few other questions

[plankton]

Originally Posted by sarg

Be very very careful, my advice is if it ain't broke don't fix it, I am one of those who ended up with a broken gearbox within 2 days of a box fluid change, as it seems to dislodge gunge that is actually holding stuff together.

All the advice I've heard so far is to get the change done, but that makes me a little apprehensive

Was that the first time your gearbox oil was changed? What mileage was that at?

What's the consensus on changing the gearbox oil? As I mentioned earlier, mine was done at 60,000 miles.

[ainarssems]

I would think you are safe to change. The problems could occur if the car has 100k+ and oil have not been changed. Since your had oil changed at 60k this would be good time to change again. But bring it to ZF gearbox specialist instead instead of Audi independent.

[plankton]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

I would think you are safe to change. The problems could occur if the car has 100k+ and oil have not been changed. Since your had oil changed at 60k this would be good time to change again. But bring it to ZF gearbox specialist instead instead of Audi independent.

Thanks for that

Any recommendations for a ZF specialist in the Midlands? (I'm at LE10)

[PsYcHe]

My D2 was done at 90 and 130k, both times made it better.

[briang9]

Originally Posted by plankton

How much should I budget for a "major" service on my A8 at an independent? Last owner did oil changes himself, so I suspect a lot of bits will have been missed (hence assuming the major service).

just had my 2002 S8 done by an Indie up here, the major service including plugs and all filters was £220 plus VAT, seems to be in the ball park for Indies, (dont ask what the final cost was needed new discs and pads all round, new rear caliper and CV gaiter) serious wallet denting stuff kinda guessing if yours has been neglected a wee bit you may also be looking at similar im afraid

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by PsYcHe

My D2 was done at 90 and 130k, both times made it better.

Hmmm. I'm at 120K and as far as I know it's never been touched.

It has the odd "twitch", but that has been the same since I had it, so more than 60,000 miles......

[sarg]

Mine was a replacement gearbox at around 60k, failed at 118k

[plankton]

Originally Posted by briang9

just had my 2002 S8 done by an Indie up here, the major service including plugs and all filters was £220 plus VAT, seems to be in the ball park for Indies, (dont ask what the final cost was needed new discs and pads all round, new rear caliper and CV gaiter) serious wallet denting stuff kinda guessing if yours has been neglected a wee bit you may also be looking at similar im afraid

I am prepared for a fairly expensive service. It needs the major service and the temperature issue looking at. Also, I'm constantly getting the following warning lights:

Brake Pads worn
Washer fluid (even though it's not low)
Last one is for the lights - think it's the front fogs.

Previous owner said about the pads "Uses those thin wires that connect to the pads to indicate wear. Always goes wrong".

Don't think the pads are worn as it got through the MOT without the brakes coming up as an advisory.

Ideally, I'd like all the lights to be out, but I'll see how much this is likely to cost before going too mad

[ainarssems]

Brake Pads worn
Washer fluid (even though it's not low)
Last one is for the lights - think it's the front fogs.

1. Read this: http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...akesensor.html
and
this: http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...nsorshort.html

Just replaced brakes on m8tes A8 but warning light remained on so just shorted by the instrument cluster instead of messing about with cables.

2. Most likely sensor in bottle or wiring. You can either fix it out or just short the wire by instrument cluster in similar way to the brake pad warning wire and just keep a spare bottle in the car in case you run out of windscreen wash.

3. Switch the lights on and go round a car to check which one is not working and replace bulb accordingly and check connections by the lights could be bad/corroded connection.


Thermostat is a belt off job so quite expensive unless you were planning for belt change already within "major service"

Temp sensor -there are 2 of them - at least on PF 32V engines.

[plankton]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

1. Read this: http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...akesensor.html
and
this: http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...nsorshort.html

Just replaced brakes on m8tes A8 but warning light remained on so just shorted by the instrument cluster instead of messing about with cables.

2. Most likely sensor in bottle or wiring. You can either fix it out or just short the wire by instrument cluster in similar way to the brake pad warning wire and just keep a spare bottle in the car in case you run out of windscreen wash.

3. Switch the lights on and go round a car to check which one is not working and replace bulb accordingly and check connections by the lights could be bad/corroded connection.


Thermostat is a belt off job so quite expensive unless you were planning for belt change already within "major service"

Temp sensor -there are 2 of them - at least on PF 32V engines.

Thanks for that

I think the cambelt was last done around 60,000 miles, so not too far off needing doing again. Is this a lot of labour, or not too bad on an A8?