Transmission thump/shunt

[IT]

Originally Posted by tintin

Think I'm heading that way as well, unfortunately - been there today, Herman (for that's his name...), had his box sucked clean of old gunky gearbox oil, and replaced with clean stuff. I wasn't encouraged when Graham from Chester Transmissions said that there was a "fair bit of metal in the tray" when it was drained
Anyway, I drove off, and within a few miles it was still exhibiting the same shunt (occasionally) from 1st to 2nd - whilst feeling smoother in the higher gears ??

All fine on the 25 mile motorway drive, so I decided to take it into the centre of Manchester, to test it a bit more - the long and the short of this being that it's displaying similar symptoms to those that Sarg quoted - i.e. struggling in 1st and 2nd. Felt just like my old Toyota Corolla (don't ask...) when it had a slipping clutch - i.e. over revving with no take up under any load.
This got progressively worse on the 7 or 8 mile return home from Manchester, with the dreaded PNRDS Christmas lights display finally coming on 1/2 mile from (limping) home.

Spoke to Graham on the 'phone, and it looks like I'll be taking it back for the same rebuild work that Amanda had done - assuming this is feasible. I just need to decide whether to drive it there, or get the RAC to take it to Chester for me. As ever, any opinions and comments very welcome.

PS - I'm conscious that there are a number of recent new forum members/8 owners, and that this may sound like an A/S8 reliability/expensive ownership horror story, so I'd like to add that I've had this car for nearly 5 years and 90k miles of trouble-free ownership, so I was probably due a big bill by now...

Sorry to hear that... As well as the rebuild options, consider a quick call to a8parts to see what they might have on the shelf, and also consider Audi themselves - If you are keeping the car for the long term, the extra you pay at Audi might be worth it for the 2 year warranty that comes with it, and the knowing its essentially a new box done to very exacting standards.....

[briang9]

sorry to hear that Stephen, maybe worth giving Mackies a call as well but would obviously need to factor in getting the car to them, good luck whatever you decide

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by IT

Sorry to hear that... As well as the rebuild options, consider a quick call to a8parts to see what they might have on the shelf, and also consider Audi themselves - If you are keeping the car for the long term, the extra you pay at Audi might be worth it for the 2 year warranty that comes with it, and the knowing its essentially a new box done to very exacting standards.....

Good advice Ian I would have gone with audi for my gearbox if it had been the box its self but mine was the TC and as mine has 950 mn torque, I had the uprated TC already waiting to be fitted so I had everything replaced to minimise the risk factor of it happening again. Chester Automotive are very comperdant though.
As you say if its a standard car and a keeper and you are willing to spend the money I would go with Audi as the 2 yr warranty is well worth it.
However as Ian says A8 parts are worth a phone call too as they could have a low milage box on the shelf and that could be a cost effective alternative.

Tintin good luck with what ever you decide though.

[tintin]

Cheers all, ever helpful, as expected.

I'm not going to rush this, the car is definitely with me for keeps (I tend to keep cars for >10 years, and this one certainly falls in that category). The local Audi dealer seem to be keen to be nice to me these days, so Ian's idea is certainly an option, as well as Chester Transmission/Mackies etc.

Not sure if Unit 20 would do this sort of thing, and they wouldn't give the two year warranty anyway...time for a bit or research, methinks.

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by tintin

Not sure if Unit 20 would do this sort of thing, and they wouldn't give the two year warranty anyway...time for a bit or research, methinks.

Unit 20 send any faulty boxes to Chester transmission for repair.

[tintin]

Originally Posted by Amanda

Unit 20 send any faulty boxes to Chester transmission for repair.

Cheers, makes sense, I didn't think boxes were their thing, and they are local...

[Architex_mA8tey]

I replaced mine with a new VAG box through TPS when it went, managed to get it through the Garage I used at their cost price, so I agree that's a good route to go if its a keeper. it comes in a crate as its an exchange box and you get 2 years unlimited mileage warranty, and of course you can do a proper gearbox flush every 20-30k miles from the start. It comes pre-filled with gearbox oil so you don't need to factor in the extra cost of that, and it comes complete and ready to drop in with TCU, torque converter etc

[Dezzy]

Gutted for you mate.

I'm fairly economical (ok tight) and I mean no offence at all by this but I don’t think I’d be taking a chance on a second hand box as there is just no way of telling how long it’ll last with everything being listed as “used category 3” no way of telling how many miles the car has done, and with the labour coasts of swapping it out (unless you have somewhere you can do it yourself) and the time I think even I would be looking at an exchange / recon box.

Did TPS want the old box Neil as an exchange?

[Architex_mA8tey]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

Did TPS want the old box Neil as an exchange?

Yes Dezzy it went back in the Blue crate the new one had come in.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey

I replaced mine with a new VAG box through TPS when it went, managed to get it through the Garage I used at their cost price, so I agree that's a good route to go if its a keeper.

Just out of (potential) interest what sort of money are we talking about here, for the exchange box itself and workshop time?

I ask because, although mine has been a LOT better since a fluid and filter change it's not perfect; I have had the odd judder - and in the same (or similar) places and conditions as some previous ones.

One of the really odd ones is near(ish) Ranj's place and I've mentioned it before - coming South down the A46 and going round the big traffic-light roundabout onto the A45 West. This involves a right-left and accelerating uphill off the roundabout. Definitely "hunts around" every time I go round there (which isn't very often TBH) and judders for a second or 2.