ok alles klaar !

it's engine , diff , box

will sleep better tonight !

Having now read the rest of the Service Manual, I now see that the codes for the diffs are there too! :o Section 3 page Page 6/7. The drive is generically designated 01R (which is assigned to gearbox 01L). Code letters/date of manufacturer are on the plate on the final drive (e.g. DSR 24038 = 24th Mar 1998). As we have seen, the Code alone is on the Build Sticker.

Codes are DGZ /DNU/DNW/DSA/DUR/EUS/EUU/EYA. But no EUT!!

Apologies to Ainars - he did say diff and not manufacturing code +++.

that would be curious .... EUS then EUU skipping EUT !

could it be that your list is all for 4.2 which all have 24FLA boxes while my car is 3.7 260 with a 19FLA box ?

incidentally I think all diffs are 01R , certainly are for 01V boxes as well

addendum
just had a run through the tech dump sticky [ thanks del boy ] and found the following

3,7 FL rear diff [also 2.5TDI ] 10/98 -04/00 code DUP 07/99-09/02 EUT !

seek and ye shall find ! [ matthew 7:7 ]

Ah! I dont think you stated that before. EUT is indeed the rear drive code for the 01R.4 drive fitted in the 3.7 5V 191kw which matches the 01V gearbox! (This is listed in a different service manual covering the 01V box). All, is indeed, clear (or slightly clearer at least when starting from a position of ignorance!).

now we just need to explain to the OP that he will have engine/rear diff/ and gearbox codes in one line !

Ah yes, that's what we were trying to do :ROFL:

Did he come back with his BS? I dont think he posted up anything after asking how he would know what box he had fitted.

he said he was going to visit the ZF specialist yesterday , maybe he has given up in despair !

Hi all - still here - thanks for all the info, thread has exploded! I got onto Vanmatic (ZF centre) yesterday and booked it in for week after next as I'm away next week. Though I then spoke in more detail to my mechanic today and he said they followed the full procedure to a T - level car, monitoring temp, checking level etc. Used the genuine oil and correct filter. His explanation as to why it is worse now than before is that the filter was so clogged that it was holding oil pressure in the box. The fault code is apparently 'speed sensor' or something. I may still go to Vanmatic just to see what they have to say (and because my mother in law is visiting at the time so I'll not mind getting out for a few hours....) though I'm a bit reluctant to throw more money at it if it's not going to help - my mechanic gave me a bill for £300 as it is... I fear this may be the end of the road for me and the A8.... Anyone fancy a lovely 4.2 D2 in great shape apart from the gearbox? :-(

what's the codes on the engine transmission line ?
as you can see there should be 3 !
if you don't have the sticker in the service book there is normally one on the spare wheel well !

and £300 ? do you live in mayfair ?

OK - the code from the service book is

ABZ DNW DTD.

The £300 included a cheap tyre and a hose which needed replacing. Other than that it was £37 for the filter, £24 for the gasket, £56 for oil plus VAT plus an hour's labour - so that seems reasonable?

I'm at a bit of a loss for what to do... Is it worth spending another £200 (or whatever) on taking it to the ZF specialist? What sort of money do you reckon the whole car is worth otherwise? It's in good shape, full service history with service book, cambelt done at 80k, now got 135k on the clock, MOT to end of year. Body is in good shape. There doesn't seem to be much point throwing more money at it if ultimately it needs a new gearbox for a couple of grand - which I'm not prepared to spend.