Gearbox woes-The beginning of the end?

[Dennis_Lish]

I feel like I am covering some old ground for forum members with this topic but here goes...

About 150 miles into a 170 mile trip last night, having slowed down for a roundabout to near standstill, upon taking off and changing from 1st gear unto second, nothing happened, the revs shot up and then the car slammed into gear and off it went. It drives fine in the other gears and transmissions are fine, including into reverse. It did this several times for the remainder of the journey. Needless to say, I was not enjoying this!

I am in Leatherhead for work and have taken it in to Hardy's engineering for an opinion and initially thought diagnostics, oil and filter change might help (at 85k this has not been done-to my knowledge-3rd owner). However, they jacked it up and seeing no visible leaks do not think an oil change is worth while? He is keeping it over night to take it for a longer run as it behaved OK when he took it for 2 minute spin around the locality.

I have read most of the threads on here regarding this issue and can't help but feel like a new gearbox is on the cards? What do those more mechanically adept folk on here think? I am uncomfortable driving it in this state-is it likely to do any more damage than simply ruining a gearbox that is already dying a death?

It is due a service, and now possibly a gearbox. Also, there is a louder than usual whirring sound upon start up and idle sometimes that I am concerned may be turbo related (far from an expert here so please excuse me if this is a stupid thing to say). In short, there is potentially a lot of work due on it and I am wavering in my previously unshakable determination to keep it....

I will hear back from Hardy's Re their assessment in the morning but have low hopes of good news. Instead, I am considering either 'we buy any car'-ing it as is or getting the box done at AMD. Dark times.

Any advice or opinions greatly appreciated. Thanks

[JCviggen]

I'd definitely get the gearbox oil level checked out. Even with no visible leaks. A flush with fresh fluid wouldn't hurt either but I wouldn't expect miracles from that.

I did have a first to second issue that turned out to be a cracked pipe inside the gearbox. Accessible without removing the box. But it's a bit of a long shot. If you intend to keep the car for a while a gearbox rebuild would give you some peace of mind for the future.

[Dennis_Lish]

Thanks. He did say he would check the fluid level this evening before driving it for a while.

[Mɐʇʇ]

I would do an oil and filter change and I find it odd they're advising against, unless it's been done recently. It's likely your gearbox is on the way out - but fresh fluids may nurse it back to at least passing health for a while. About 80 quid of oil, a filter, and the labour. The 5hp24a gearbox is quite particular about how it's filled though - you need to plug the software in to monitor the temperature and do it with the engine running and cycle through the gears. Plugging VCDS in also gives you a clue as to what's going on - specifically, you may
find the torque converter isn't locking up either.

The beginning of the end? Absolutely not. It's not beyond DIYing the whole job, if you choose.

[amanda1]

I disagree .....I did a gearbox refill and it lasted 650 miles before the gearbox died I ended up with a shagged box and all the dash lights lit up like a Christmas tree so I wasted my money!
New uprated gearbox fitted now And I am happy

[Mɐʇʇ]

I did say "may", not "will".

[bakustax]

You sound like you have RS6 paranoia...its a common condition...if the car slips from 1st to 2nd , stop the car and remove the key , re-start the car and all should be good , if you continue driving in a state of "oh <beep> that's £5k" things will only get worse and you will most likely end up in "limp mode"...which will compound the paranoia...
Ps...I'd look for a decent Indy who know Audi's...as your current spanner man doesn't know these cars if he thinks he can check the box level...has to be drained to know how much fluid or damage is done.

[amanda1]

I did say "may", not "will".

Good mine wAs done by a specialist too .....

[Gripper1]

Is specialist oil better than none specialist??

When the man is facing a £3.5k-£5k gearbox rebuild is £150 to change the oil and ensure the level is right not worth the effort?
There are lots of things that could be causing the issue but just because your oil change didn't solve your gearbox issue mean its the same for everyone else. Auto gearboxes are not the simplest and to simply change out a gearbox when it could be a number of (cheaper) other issues is crazy.

What happened to the days of good old fault diagnosis???

[Dennis_Lish]

Thanks all for your help.

I think I will get a filter/oil change anyway on the off chance it has some use.

However, in the likely event that it does not, I am looking at AMd, TSR and A1 premier transmissions as options for new boxes. I should hear more from Hardys tomorrow so will update with their views. He did mention they can do it with the engine in situ but I gather from other threads that this is not a wise move and suggests that I would be better off taking it somewhere more RS experienced?

[Mɐʇʇ]

"The beginning of the end".

No. These are good cars, worth putting the effort in to keeping them running sweet.

[chunky79]

I disagree .....I did a gearbox refill and it lasted 650 miles before the gearbox died I ended up with a shagged box and all the dash lights lit up like a Christmas tree so I wasted my money!
New uprated gearbox fitted now And I am happy

Yeah, what a huge ammount of money to waste on something that could have given you a few more k miles.

[chunky79]

Thanks all for your help.

I think I will get a filter/oil change anyway on the off chance it has some use.

However, in the likely event that it does not, I am looking at AMd, TSR and A1 premier transmissions as options for new boxes. I should hear more from Hardys tomorrow so will update with their views. He did mention they can do it with the engine in situ but I gather from other threads that this is not a wise move and suggests that I would be better off taking it somewhere more RS experienced?

Good choice on getting the box serviced. It may not help, but it may, worth a try for the cost imo.
The box can be changed with the engine in, that's how the yanks do it. It's a bit tighter and more chance of damaging something else, but if the garage are confident in doing it, tell them if they cause any other damage, they pay for it.
Good luck

[chunky79]

Is specialist oil better than none specialist??

When the man is facing a £3.5k-£5k gearbox rebuild is £150 to change the oil and ensure the level is right not worth the effort?
There are lots of things that could be causing the issue but just because your oil change didn't solve your gearbox issue mean its the same for everyone else. Auto gearboxes are not the simplest and to simply change out a gearbox when it could be a number of (cheaper) other issues is crazy.

What happened to the days of good old fault diagnosis???

Agree with everything here.

[Drummerman]

Unfortunately those were the symptoms that I had. From my understanding of these boxes - there is a problem with the first/second gear clutch hub and these can break near the retaining circlip meaning the clutch plates are no longer under pressure and won't lock. I had Grizz at Unit 20 do the work (Chester Transmissions??) rebuild the box and having spoken to them, they know what they are doing. They fit a modified clutch hub which should stop this particular fault recurring - over two years now and the box is still fine.