Gearbox oil level
 

I spoke to Poole Audi and they quoted £500 to change the gearbox oil and to update software. They did however say that it was not possible to just check the level !

Absolute rubbish.
When checking level gearbox's oil temperature must be at least 50 degrees - operating temperature which is 50-70C).
Clearly they can't bothered or just want to pull your pants down even if there is nothing wrong with your oil level.

Is there no good and reputable indy in you area ??

I am open to any recommendations from anyone. I have a good mobile mechanic but its not easy to gey it level on ramps.

Temperature should be 35-45C when checking level.

My recommendation would be 220miles journey there and back and job would be 100-150quid cheaper, not sure if that is an option.
Plus for some or even more reasons I would let Audi to touch my gearbox which I know it may sound off, but that's me. Suddenly from telling all customers that gearbox is sealed for life and don't need servicing even if ZF clearly says every 7 years or 100,000, not they are happy to do it.

As far as I'm aware it is 50C on D3, but if I'm wrong I apologise +++

Where are you based? I've been to gearbox specialists in Glasgow, Chester and Hoddesdon.

(no, I'm not the luckiest guy!)

Im near Bournemouth

I would suggest a decent Gearbox specialist, preferably one with ZF experience rather than a main dealer would be your best bet+++

I found these guys on Google: http://gearboxspecialistssouthampton.co.uk/home/3645946

Looks like they have locations in Southampton and Bournemouth.

If you are prepared to drive then I would recommend my guys http://www.audivwsc.co.uk/

They have serviced my A8 and S8 inc both gearboxes in both, every A8 guy I've introduced them to was very happy inc. few from this forum. Level of expertise, experience and work ethics is overwhelming.

£500 aint too bad for an ATF change on a D3, the filter and atf fluid would make up a good chunk of it. Insist that they drop the pan would be my advice. I used an Audi Dealer to do 3 ATF changes on my last D3 without issue but I would insist on a mastertech carrying out the work rather than some apprentice that started last week.
A ZF service centre is the place to go if you were ever in Germany at some point, very reasonable and serious attention to detail according to any customer reviews I've seen.

I think the 500 was just an oil change not dropping the pan and changing the filter

As far as I remember, correct me if I'm wrong please, oil is £200 (£20/l), new seal and filter £100 ish.

From tips oil is £34 + vat per litre 😬

Its going into the gearbox specialist tomorrow for an oil and filter change. I asked about lifegaurd 8 but they said why do you want that its a 6 speed and should have lifegaurd 6. I have read about lifegaurd 8 and a software update. What do you think ?

Unless you're having issues with your gearbox, I'd stick with the Lifeguard 6.

Some later ZF 6HPs specify Green Lifeguard 8. You need to check the label on it and compare with EKTA.
http://www.realoem.me/Audi/RDW/A8/2006/291/R/3

below is the snippet for my HYT transmission, depending on gearbox serial, code and software revision...

№ Code Title Note Quantity Model data
6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, ----------6-HP-19---------- 3.0/3.2ltr., 4.2 ltr., FSI GZV,HRK,HKL,, HKX,HYT,JAY,, HYU,JNM,HKM,, JNL



(1) 09E300036A 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, with software: 4.0 ltr., 4E0 910 156 B 1 GVK
2 09L300036M 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E0 910 156 F 1 GZV
2 09L300036MX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E0 910 156 F 1 GZV
2 09L300038H 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 M 1 HRK
2 09L300037G 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 A 1 HKL
2 09L300037GX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 A 1 HKL
2 09L300039C 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 A 1 HYT,HKL
2 09L300039CX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 A 1 HYT
2 09L300037GX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 A 1 HKL
2 09L300039M 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 N 1 JAY
2 09L300039MX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 N 1 JAY
2 09L300041T 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 Q 1 JNL
2 09L300040K 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 Q 1 JNL
2 09L300040KX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 Q 1 JNL
2 09L300037H 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 B 1 HKX
2 09L300037HX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 B 1 HKX
2 09L300039D 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 B 1 HYU,HKX
2 09L300039DX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 B 1 HYU,HKX
2 09L300040L 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 R 1 JNM
2 09L300040LX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 R 1 JNM
2 09L300042A 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 C 1 HKM
2 09L300037J 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 C 1 HKM
2 09L300037JX 6-speed automatic gearbox with interaxle differential, software: 4E1 910 156 C 1 HKM
(2A) G 055005A2 atf (automatic transm. fluid), filling quantity:, see workshop manual, GN 4000001>> 4000597, GN >> 95253 1.0 ltr., 9,0LTR., yellow, yellow X;1 GZV,HRK,HKL,, HKX
(2A) G 055005A6 atf (automatic transm. fluid), filling quantity:, see workshop manual, GN >> 4000597, GN >> 95253 20ltr., 9,0LTR., yellow, yellow X;1 GZV,HRK,HKL,, HKX
(2A) G 055162A2 atf (automatic transm. fluid), filling quantity:, see workshop manual, GN 4000598>> 4005000, GN 95254>> 100000 1.0 ltr., 9,0LTR., blue, blue X;1 GZV,HRK,HKL,, HKX,HYT,JAY,, HYU,JNM,HKM
2A G 060162A2 atf (automatic transm. fluid), filling quantity:, see workshop manual 1.0 ltr., 9,0LTR., green X;1

I briefly had Lifegard 8 in my gearbox but they said it was already on the latest software, so couldn't update it. I think that meant that it wasn't optimised to accept the LG 8 oil.

I ended up having issues between 1st and 2nd, and eventually had my mechatronic unit rebuilt, the fluid changed (conventionally) to LG 6 and the adaptations reset to cure the clunking.

If you're interested, search on here for "clunking" and you should see my thread.

Mine was done yesterday and was refilled with lifegaurd 6 with a new filter. Total inc vat was £330. Its made no difference but as it wasn't broken b4 i guess thats good news. They said the oil was very clean and the magnets had minimal on them so all is good 😀 🤞

Sounds like a result and quite reasonable considering the cost of ATF fluid and a filter. I got mine changed every 60K miles and it certainly did no harm over the years.

Mine definitely had issues before it went in for the change. Most of the time, it felt fine to me (except it would kangaroo when manually changed into 1st and accelerating hard). Mackies told me it was short of fluid and the filling cap was really easy to remove, so it sounds like the previous owner had a go at re-filling it.

Even starting the car after the trans oil change felt different. Everything was a little slicker, a little smoother and a little quieter.

who did you use at the end buddy?

The gearbox specialist in Bournemouth.

I used their Bournemouth branch, they seemed ok. I did see a few bad reviews but most companies seem to get them.

I've given the gearbox service a good test tonight towing the caravan to Henley for the weekend 😀 Good news is the gearbox is still sweet.

All was well until reavhing Reading this afternoon. My wife said whats that funny noise ? No not gearbox but the undertray had not been put back properly and has dropped at the front dragging along the road surface. I secured whats left with cable ties and made it home 😭

Question 1 would the undetyray have tp be removed to change gearbox oil and filter ?

Question 2 would you expect garage to pay for a new undertray and fixings.

Question 3 how much is it likely to cost and is it main dealers only ?

You could probably find one from our forum sponsors. Strangely enough, the same thing happened to mine, but it wasn't damaged enough to have to replace, just a tiny little corner of it is a little bent.

I think they're somewhere around the £200 mark at dealers.