Gearbox Service in the East Midlands

[sarg]

My D2 went to Vasstech, a local VAG 'specialist' after very similar symptoms to yours. £300 roughly, from memory.

A week later the gearbox failed totally.

I tried a DIY fluid change again at this point (nothing to lose) and it took roughly double the oil capacity to flush out all the old stuff. I was not at all convinced that Vasstech had done the job properly, the fluid seemed far too dirty, as if the old stuff had not been properly flushed, but I could not prove anything.

It was terminal, car was sold for scrap.

I still believe, however, that the fluid flush dislodged some gunk which was holding a seal together somewhere, once that seal went it was curtains.

In other words, tread very carefully, only an expert will do for this job.

[MikkiJayne]

Originally Posted by sarg

I still believe, however, that the fluid flush dislodged some gunk which was holding a seal together somewhere, once that seal went it was curtains.

In other words, tread very carefully, only an expert will do for this job.

I don't subscribe to the dislodged gunk theory. Having seen the inside of a few of these in my time, they are always spotless as ATF has some pretty powerful detergent properties and so washes any dirt in to the sump or the torque converter where either the filter or centrifugal force prevent it doing any harm. ATF is often used as an engine flush for this reason too.

The only 'dirt' which could really be in there is clutch material, and if thats floating around in the oil then there are much bigger problems! Everything else is metallic so should be stuck to the magnets. Old oil does break down slightly and go dark grey instead of yellow.

I do totally agree with the second statement though, since if you get this wrong it can easily do some fairly terminal damage to things. Mine was hacked about by the PO's indy garage and had the sump stuck on with bathroom sealant so oil leaking everywhere! By the time I got it home it was 4-litres low and killed the torque converter.

The key weakness in these gearboxes is the bearing and oil seal on the first clutch pack. If that is at all tenuous then running it low on oil could tip it over the edge. Thats where the Mackies change comes in to its own, as at no point does the oil level drop below normal as their machine replaces it as it comes out (although this method doesn't change the filter). A sump-off change by nature will drain everything and then re-fill and, as it needs to be running to get the full amount in, will temporarily cause the level to be lower than normal. I think it is this event which pushes almost-failing gearboxes over the edge, and the oil change gets the blame.

It makes me wonder if there could be a better method of re-filling which would get more oil in before start-up and then drain off the excess, which may then avoid this problem. Maybe a modified fill-plug...

[The_Laird]

Unless you can find a local specialist that has the proper pump, I'd give serious thought to a trip to Mackies in Glasgow or Chester Autotransmissions. I'm moving from Scotland in the New Year, so I've just had my third service at Mackies, and I'll be coming up next time it needs doing.

If it's not flushed properly, you run the risk of disturbing the gunk and causing problems. It's less than £200 (I think I paid £155) at Mackies and takes about 4 hours. It's a long trip, but if you muck it up with someone just draining it, you'll wish you'd had it done properly!

[briang9]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Unless you can fins a local specialist that has the proper pump, I'd give serious thought to a trip to Mackies in Glasgow or Chester Autotransmissions. I'm moving from Scotland in the New Year, so I've just had my third service at Mackies, and I'll be coming up next time it needs doing.

If it's not flushed properly, you run the risk of disturbing the gunk and causing problems. It's less than £200 (I think I paid £155) at Mackies and takes about 4 hours. It's a long trip, but if you muck it up with someone just draining it, you'll wish you'd had it done properly!

I would second that, would be also be a good opportunity to arrange a long overdue mini Jock meet if you come up

[Sir WIll]

My S8 came with a £3k Mackies receipt and was one of the main reason I bought the car. Well that and it was lovely

More out of interest than anything has anyone ever put a different Auto into the D2? I doubt its easy or the D3 6 speed bolts line up, let alone ECU headaches!

8 speed ZF would be lovely though.

[Spanker]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Unless you can fins a local specialist that has the proper pump, I'd give serious thought to a trip to Mackies in Glasgow or Chester Autotransmissions. I'm moving from Scotland in the New Year, so I've just had my third service at Mackies, and I'll be coming up next time it needs doing.

If it's not flushed properly, you run the risk of disturbing the gunk and causing problems. It's less than £200 (I think I paid £155) at Mackies and takes about 4 hours. It's a long trip, but if you muck it up with someone just draining it, you'll wish you'd had it done properly!

I long to return to Glasgow. My favourite city. I've made my home in Rutherglen twice in my life when moving about with my old job. There's something about the city that draws me to it. I think that "something" is the people. Although it would be a long trip for a gearbox service, I've always wanted an excuse to go back.
Was the £155 just for the flush or the whole gearbox service (flush, oil, filter and whatever else is involved)? If I'm quoted £295 + VAT for everything at a Kettering Auto Specialist (who seem very credible and get Professor Peach's thumbs up) but £155 at Mackies then the extra cost of crossing the border may be worth it (when factoring in the fact that a mini-break could be had that would bring a smile to my face). I suspect though that when you quote £155 you are just costing the flush part of the service and the rest is extra.
Please let me know.

Originally Posted by briang9

I would second that, would be also be a good opportunity to arrange a long overdue mini Jock meet if you come up

Sorry for sounding dumb. But what exactly is a "mini Jock meet"? Is that where I go for a pint at the Clutha Vaults with some well-heeled midget A8 owners from Milngavie & Bearsden?

[steamship]

Originally Posted by Spanker

Sorry for sounding dumb. But what exactly is a "mini Jock meet"?

As you spend more time on here, you'll soon discover that Scotland seems to be the favoured haunting ground for A8s of all species. The annual meet gets around 20-30 cars, but there are others meets (mini meets) arranged by others around the country.

If you do go to the 'mini Jock meet', watch out the for the Scottish mafia.

[Spanker]

Originally Posted by steamship

As you spend more time on here, you'll soon discover that Scotland seems to be the favoured haunting ground for A8s of all species. The annual meet gets around 20-30 cars, but there are others meets (mini meets) arranged by others around the country.

If you do go to the 'mini Jock meet', watch out the for the Scottish mafia.

Thank you for the heads up!

[The_Laird]

Hey, I'm one of the 'Scottish Mafia' (and I'm English!) - we're not so bad!

My understanding of the Mackies service is that it's a reverse flush with warm oil through a very fine mesh filter, so the filter isn't changed, but is also reversed flushed - but I stand to be corrected!

The £155 was all in, including VAT and ATF.

[ainarssems]

£155 is very cheap but I wold like to have filter changed as well.

I think next year for 20y anniversary I will change oil on my gearbox as well at 140-150k for the first time, using Mannol oil and filter from Germany, should be about £40 for the oil including delivery