Funny noise
 

I just bought an S8.

Put it into Audi Glasgow as it was due a service. Got them to do the gearbox oil filter and fluid as car was at nearly 90,000.

Picked up car on friday night to find it makes a noise now that it did not make before.

Only seems to happen on initial move off. Sounds like a 'rubbing' or 'whirring' noise. Comes on at about 15 mph and goes away at about 30mph and does not come back until next move off from rest.

Like I say- didn't do it before the service during which they changed 5 litres of ATF and the filter screen and O ring. At least that is what it says on the invoice.

It's not a loud noise. With the radio on you could miss it.

On the other hand it's one of these noises that could be serious.

Any ideas??:Confused:

Simon,

My first thought is that as Audi did the ATF and Filter that maybe they have not topped up the ATF properly. For the Glasgow area I thoroughly recommend A4Audi if you want a second opinion and all your future servicing needs. They have an excellent reputation over on TSN.

The other area I would look at is the brakes. A sticking calliper might make that sort of noise.

5 litres sounds low for a box fluid change... Pretty sure Andy @ A4audi reckoned it was around 10 litres.

If you get a chance, whizz it over to him and he'll take a quick look/listen for you.

Psyche

You're right. The capacity is higher than 5 but 5 is all that comes out without being pumped out. The rest stays in the torque convertor.

I'm going to give it back to Audi in the first instance as they may as well fix it as they seem to have caused it.

Just hope it's not serious.

Conan. No, it's not the brakes. Nearest noise I could compare it to is that noise a car makes when the clutch release bearing has gone, only much quieter. You can hear it better with the a/c switched off. It's definately there tho. It could be a low ATF level but surely to feck they'd check that? Or maybe they forgot the O-ring on the filter housing although I insisted they fit a new one!

Wish I'd not trusted them with it now. I know what main dealer servicing can be like. It's not always crap-but it can be.

I used to work in the car trade and in our garage (Volvo) we had 2 or 3 good mechanics but the rest were fecking muppets!

On the quantity of ATF that will drain from the box. I got 8 litres out when I left the box overnight? Box capacity with the torque converter is around 9.5 litres. It only holds about 2 ish. If they only got 5 out than it sounds like they did a fluid drop/filter change/reassemble in short order. Did they refill using the proper procedure. Going through all the gears as the fluid is being topped up?

I would pop down to Andy at A4Audi and ask him to have a listen and probably do a level check.

Conan

Wish I knew what they did! I'll let Audi have a first look at it but I think I'll be using A4Audi from now on.

As far as the time goes, I've no idea how long they let it drain for. It took them 2 days to do the work though, so they weren't rushed.

Do you know what symptoms occur if the o-ring is left out?

As the pump that circulates the ATF is above the fluid reservoir in the sump with the filter in between it relies on suction to circulate the fluid. If the o-ring is left out then there is loss of suction which manifests as cavitation (this also happens if the filter gets clogged) and loss of fluid pressure. This usually only hapens on startup but can happen when the box comes under load as in pulling away. The Audi procedure highlights the o-ring as 'always replace' in Elsawin.

Conan

The o-ring thing sounds highly likely then. I specifically mentioned on this on the note that I left them. In my experience such notes tend to be ignored by your average highly trained technician and no wonder as most punters know next to bugger all about cars.

We'll see how this turns out.

Check on your receipt, all the parts that were used should be on there. +++

Singh

Hmmmm. No mention of 'O-ring' on the invoice.

Oil strainer. Gasket. Plug.

Could of used the old one I suppose?

The same happened to me, if it isn't on the list then I doubt they would have changed it. However I think Ska said that the O ring may come with the strainer? Although if it is not on the invoice then make them do it again, especially if you made a note telling them to! Hope it all works out well for you buddy +++

This diagram shows the oil filter and o-ring
http://www.vagcat.com/p/B156/321600.png

It is part no 29. Its part number is 01L325443

http://www.meyle.com/Search/jpg/54744933124.jpg

That part no, ending 443, does appear on the invoice, as a gasket.


ho-hum.:(

Are there any other symptoms? Less than smooth gear shifts for instance. Try driving at 70 in 5th and the take your foot off the accelerator and allow the car to slow on its own to 40. Anything happen?

Re other symptoms.

Once warm and on the move the car behaves perfectly. Just makes this noise as it accelerates from rest. The noise does not come back even under acceleration from a low speed. It does it every single time the car moves off from rest tho.

Not convinced its the torque converter. The constant here is pulling away from stationary so my thought process is that while stationary the pressure in the trans is at it's lowest therefore om pull away you have high load with low speed so cavuitation is happening.

I suggest a second opinion. I've yet to meet a garage that says 'we fecked up sorry no charge'! More likely 'not related, another zillions of squids please muggins'!

Andy at A4Audi is your man. Let him listen and he will help.

Mystery unravelling.

Audi just rang me to explain that they had to add another 4 litres of ATF.

Amazingly the chap who did the work added the 5 litres I gave him (bought for previous A8 but never used) and never even checked the level.

Frankly...............I'm gobsmacked!

Allegedly he went through the proper procedure and has the proof (from the computer) that he did the work correctly.

I expect he will be getting de briefed now.

Makes you wonder about the rest of the work, does it not?

WooHoo result! +++

/me does little smug dance

I can't belive that the level was checked properly if 4 litres of ATF was missing. I suspect and would put money on it that they did it with the engine off and funnily enough the sump holds 5 litres.

Glad you got it sorted. Smuggly pleased I was right. :D

E-mail the manager with a link to this forum and add that he's seen the last of your car. Another Audi Steeler loss!

They are sending a driver over to pick me up now as the service manager wants to explain what happened.

Should be interesting.

I must confess to being a touch upset with them.

Just hope the box is ok.

Another black-and-white example of why nobody should ever, ever, not ever (did I say ever?) consider using a main dealer for the 'oil change'

Get it to a proper transmission specialist for a gearbox //// service ////

Hopefully, not too much damage done as it sounds like you haven't driven far, but running short on oil causes the gearbox to 'cavitate' which is where the pump is pushing air, not oil through it, and it can lead to deteriation of the box.... Thats what causes the noise. Transmission fluid expands as it warms, hence once warmed up the symptoms lessen, or even stop as the shortage (by volume) is no longer as severe....

Of course, an expert would know all of this - Audi do not. :(

Had a bit of a chat with the service manager.

In their favour:

1. They were honest. They fessed up that they'd screwed up and didn't try a cover up.

2. They put it right and didn't charge me any extra. It would have been interesting if they'd asked me to pay for the extra ATF.

3. I now have an S8 with what seems to be a warrantied box. They put a note on the cars' file to the effect that they may have damaged the car and if the 'box fails, they'll fix it.

Not in their favour:

Plainly can't be relied upon to work on their own cars. Ouch!

All a bit sad really. I'm pi$$ed off at myself for trusting them despite reading on here that they are NOT to be trusted with the gearbox.

I'm pi$$ed off with them for potentially Fecking my car up, especially as I was trying to accomplish some preventative maintenance!

In fact, I'm angry at them.

Well at least they were honest. Not come across that before. There are good stealers out there, but not many.

I would now drive the car like you stole it to build confidence in the box and if it goes south get the AA to take it directly to the stealers. :cool:

O and go see Andy at A4Audi you'll love the cost difference.

In fact is there any way to frame Simon's post on the Stealer explaining what a bunch of plonkers they were? :ROFL:

However, Simon A8Parts forum is glad it has helped you and you have had a result.

Every day a school day.

I've learned some stuff here and I hope I've helped to pass it on too, which presumably is what the A8 parts forum is all about.:love:


Thanks to all you chaps who posted on here in the most genuine and helpful manner.++++++

My car is purring like a kitten.

I am, on the other hand, quite mightily pi$$ed off.

My letter to Audi will be sent later on today. I'll be looking for a 100% refund of the labour at the very least.

Edit to add: Conan! Correctamundo! Your post #2 was right on the money.

I'm impressed. :-)

I am the librarian. It's my job.

[smugmode] thank you [/smugmode]+++

Update.

Audi Glasgow have offered to refund the cost (price?) of the gearbox 'work' including the ATF that I gave them. £165+ VAT.

Such a shame that the great company that designs, builds and plans the maintenance, of such fantastic cars is let down, in the UK at least, by these muppets.:Confused:

The 'Vorsprung durch Technik' boys would strangle them!

accept then go and burn the dealer to the ground in the early hours..


.. actually thats a little harsh I spose.
Glad you got the money back though