Guys, you are all diamonds, thanks for all the help - I have no reason to dis-trust the garage, and was not expecting them to have caused the problem, just wanted to be sure, but will still get a 2nd opinion, probably from RSD in Daventry (http://www.rsdcars-uk.co.uk/) when I get back from my trip to the Monaco GP :)

Will have a think about what I am going to replace it with, considering a D3, but might move to an X5/Q7 instead, or might just buy a crappy old banger off ebay while I think about it.

Pls do nudge me though if anyone knows of a well-specced older D3 coming up for sale. (No cream or silver/grey leather though thanks, black or brown only)

Hi all, I'm sarg's brother and his personal mechanic ;-). I'm travelling up with him when we come back from the South of France and will get the car on the ramps to check the fluid and also plug in to see if any fault codes have come up. I will also check the colour of the fluid - I understand the proper Audi fluid is greenish-yellow rather than the more usual red for ATF. Is this still the case?

Probably, I'll change the oil and filters and do it all again to see if it helps. Seems, to be worth it given the cost vs scrapping or putting in a new box.

In my experience, when something goes wrong shortly after you change something, it's normally something to do with whatever you did and best to start there first with fault finding!

I also find it no coincidence that the box should fail shortly after the service and please do remember this box has only done about 60k miles. The problems he was having before are all symptoms that would often be cured by a fluid change and service and I really don't subscribe to the 'new oil will kill it' theories that seem to come up with auto 'boxes. I really just don't understand the thinking behind it - it you had an engine that hadn't had it's oil changed for a while, I don't think anyone would leave it in!

Still, we'll find out more in a few weeks and I'm sure I'll be back on here to ask for help!

Welcome to the forum Chris. Here is the proper guide for changing the gearbox oil.

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...servicing.html

OK, so Chris has had the A8 up on the ramps and stands this evening. The oil level is good, it is full, but the colour of the oil was not the yellowish-green colour we were expecting.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/...dfa7da84a1.jpg
Gearbox oil level & type check 011 by SnrSarg, on Flickr

As per the invoice, there is no evidence of new filter, so they have only changed the oil, nothing else.

The car has only done 150 miles maximum since the oil change, but definitely does not look like oil that new as there seems to be too much debris/sediment in the oil, although that could have come from the filler plug.

Any suggestions for the next step?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/...51ffb59c_m.jpg
Gearbox oil level & type check 010 by SnrSarg, on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/...992a8c5c_m.jpg
Gearbox oil level & type check 009 by SnrSarg, on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/...5b69c85c_m.jpg
Gearbox oil level & type check 005 by SnrSarg, on Flickr

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Gearbox oil level & type check 001 by SnrSarg, on Flickr

Chris plugged in the VAG-com thingy, fault codes found were:

P0733 - gear 3; incorrect ratio
P0732 - similar to above, but for gear 2

Remember that unless they have one of the special machines that cycles the new ATF into the box as it drains the old ATF there is quite a bit left in. Draining only leaves 2 to 3 liters in the TC and valve bodies. Not changing the filters is a false economy as the filters filter! Therefore it will slowly clog up. Did you ask for an ATF and filter change? If so then back to the garage I would say. If only a fluid change was requested then you have probably got what you asked for.

Given the colour of the ATF now only analysis of it would detect if it was the wrong fluid.

ouch, personally I'd just wait for a box from A8 parts. the swap isn't that expensive if some knows what they're doing (all hail Ben :) ) Cost you about the same as a (bearable) banger off ebay and would give you time to consider options.

Bill

I think that's a bit unfair Conan.

I asked for a gearbox oil service, I also visited the garage prior to booking in for reassurance that they knew what they were doing as I knew rnough to know it was critical to be done correctly.

However, I am not a mechanic, far from it, and do not have the knowledge to say to them, you know what, best make sure you change the filter and this and that and everything else too, that's why I employ a garage!

Bill, A8 parts reckon about £700 for a 2nd hand box, plus best part of £1,000 for somebody to fit it - I can get a warranted recon box fitted for £1860 plus VAT (Automatic Transmissions, Huddersfield), so I think the recon box would be the best option if I decide not to scrap.

However, I also saw A8s on Ebay for spares or repair for about £1,200, so it might be better just to cut loose, I haven't decided, but I know what you mean - spend 2k ish, get my favourite ever car back, but what is next? 120k miles, how long before the engine lands me a big bill, or an exhaust, or some more suspension bits, all getting a bit expensive now, though the attraction is still there for me, it is a great car with a nice spec.

Wouldn't bother with a second hand box myself unless it had a recent rebuild these are prone for failing so save yourself twice the labour costs.