Gearbox Service

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by M-A8

I trust my VAG garage in every aspect, I know they've got all the required equipment, sucky thing etc

Is this the place in Harrow and do they know D2's?

I'm getting close to needing "The full Monty" of major service and cam belt. At which I'd also expect the water pump and various other bits to be done too.
I've recently (as noted) had the gearbox fluid changed (drain, new filter, refill) but might also do it again if they have that machine.

[briang9]

Originally Posted by M-A8

Oh my God...there is so much mess in my head right now

I was reading your posts through out the day and now I'm not only confused but paranoid as well, plus now I don't want to trust my specialist on top of it even if I know they've got huge experience in servicing and rebuilding gearboxes, and I did seen them couple of times working on A8 and 10plate A6 gearboxes

Brian, I looked at your link and it looks like I've got at least 2-3 ZF approved specialists around London.

Originally I didn't want to service mine 3 years ago as other A8 owner told me about some little thing which if isn't done right it can **** the gearbox, so I got scared.





Now, I'm 100% sure I want and need to do it. I trust my VAG garage in every aspect, I know they've got all the required equipment, sucky thing etc, and experience on D3s gearboxes, BUT an Automatic transmission specialists doing only that so they would be the guys to go for????

Really confused, another headache for the weekend on top of my cold which I got after washing car last evening at 8pm in just a wet t-shirt
no no...I've had my pants on as well (thongs ) and I was all wet as it was windy not because I'm experience in wet t-shirts competitions

Bit too much info in there

Sounds like you may be lucky and have a VAG garage who also seems to know there way round transmission as well Just checked some of the ZF Agents on that link I posted and I am not sure they all do servicing, maybe just parts and complete boxes.

[M-A8]

OK, I'm a idiot !!!
Don't know if thats because of the cold/flu I've got since this morning, but at least I've got some excuse which is better than nothing.

So, I said they've got that stuff as once I've seen in their garage sucky thing look a like machine so I asked whats that, and for some reason I remembered it as the sucky thing for servicing gearboxes

So I called them 5min ago just not to look like a tw@t ( a bit to late now as I called them after my last post, imbecile) and it wasn't that, they dont have it as they flush them or whatever, couldn't really heat a thing as line was breaking up (I live in SE London where is no reception, amazing stuff) plus they had some serious issue with the system so me being on the line at that time wasn't helping their situation. Instead of drilling their head they asked me to call them on Monday if I've got some questions. I don't like being under the pressure especially I had two other things to ask.

Anyway....I heard something about even Audi not using one, but probably thats why ZF and Mackie guys are the best guys to do it as mentioned before because they do JUST the gearboxes.

Will know more on Monday, but at this moment I trust you guys with your expertise and experience

QUESTION:
How important is to have this sucky thing during the service/oil&filter change???
Is that better than a flush???

I'm trying to gather some more info before calling them on Monday.

BTW, I did seen them working on gearboxes so it's only my memory which is a mess not my eyes as well ...well I wear contacts so my eyes are ****ed, but I wear my lenses all the time

I do apologies for misleading you few posts back

[M-A8]

Originally Posted by briang9

Bit too much info in there

Sounds like you may be lucky and have a VAG garage who also seems to know there way round transmission as well Just checked some of the ZF Agents on that link I posted and I am not sure they all do servicing, maybe just parts and complete boxes.

You know what Brian, I couldn't find any info about servicing as well, just parts and repair kits
Back to the starting point

[Architex_mA8tey]

I'm not being dramatic guys but like TinTin I have also had a gearbox replaced in my D2 and for a gearbox service even though I am in the south I would not hesitate to drive to either Chester Transmissions or even Mackies to make sure the new gearbox is serviced properly, no where else in the UK would have my trust for properly servicing it using the correct machine. As others have said it has got to be worth it for the peace of mind. I'm planning to do mine at somewhere around 30-40,000 miles on a regular basis if I ever do those mileages!

[ScottD3]

New I should have have bought that M-sport with Manual gearbox lol

Like the rest of the people in the south, we don't have much down here abd Mackies is way to far to go I think.

Ive been on the ZF site but don't het confused between parts, marine servicing and proper car servicing.

I think there is a place in Bath and one in Portishhead near Bristol.
If they are car places and can do it on a Saturday I will pop up.

I spoke to Audi UK yesterday and they confirmed that my box is tiptronic and sealed for life. "Audi does not suggest any form of servicing or maintenance for your box" was his words.
As such most dealers won't do the oil on the box cause they can offer a Audi backed warranty.

So independent it is for us tiptronic brethren.

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by ScottB5

I spoke to Audi UK yesterday and they confirmed that my box is tiptronic and sealed for life. "Audi does not suggest any form of servicing or maintenance for your box" was his words.

The dealers always say this, not just Audi, VW, and BMW too. I don't know why, it's easy money for them - but that's not what it says on ELSA, their documentation says it is filled with a "lifetime fill" and does not normally need changing, but if the vehicle is used in very hot or very cold conditions, driven in an aggressive manner, used for towing, a taxi, or for at high speeds for long periods it should be changed every 80,000 miles.

That is not word for word, it is my paraphrase from memory.

This is what ZF say, word for word...

ZF 5-, 6- and 8-speed automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. It is recommended, in the event of severe operating conditions, such as:
- frequent highway driving in top speed range, - offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,
being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km and 120,000 km, or 8 years, depending on the load.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevant specifications.

[ScottD3]

that fills you full of confidence then I guess.

[M-A8]

Hmm, Chester Transmissions are about 4h drive from me.
Scott, have you contacted guys you located around Bristol as they are closer than CT ???

I've asked this question yesterday but will ask again. Whats the difference between flushing the gearbox and draining with the sucky thing??
Is there a huge difference??
Or we just being a bit an@l about it??

Surely if you drain the old oil fully, even if there is a little/tiny bit left it wont do any harm when you fill gearbox with new fluid ??

I know D2s gearboxes are more likely to fail than D3s so is it really that extremely important ??
I know you said yes, but I'd like to know more about it

Difference between just drain and fill up, drain, flush and fill up, and drain, sucking out and fill up.

[ScottD3]

Chester is past Bristol, about another 2 hours I'd say.

Plus I get free bed and board in Bristol.

The difference as I understand it is that the sucking thingy, sucks all the oil out of the oil ways, oil cooler and pipes. Maybe the TC as well?

Well just draining will only remove the fluid that is able to move from the sump area and pipes that drain in to it.

Someone mentioned about draining the oil, fill it back up, draining and emptying again?
My mate also said this is what he does.

It uses double the fluid but you get most of the crap oil out but I'm not sure on the little particles that won't move by fluid moving under its own weight but I assume they will move when the fluid is being forced out?

I've not contacted anyone yet.
I'm still trying to get my old A4 and the GTI removed, then I can put a bit more focus on the A8.