Add me to the failed torque converter list

[paulcrake]

Shoppinit is right about changing the box and converter together. The oil is going to be <beep> black regardless after 65k miles even if it is ok.
I had my box done in an audi garage in germany, not reconditioned fully but new valve body and clutch packs (1st,2nd,3rd gear are one unit) and it was much cheaper than a new box but they still made a mess of it and it's got to go back! Finding someone reputable in europe is difficult. US no problem, they know automatics, but shipping costs are about 500euro each way and its still costing about 4500US$ and what happens if you have problems... its got to go back to the US again!

[JCviggen]

So I contacted ZF but they are basically just setting me up with some "approved" transmission shops. I picked 2 that are keen to mention they have been in business for over 20 years and blablabla...basically they offer to do all the work of getting the box out and back in and do a complete overhaul of the box (to standard spec) for 2500-3000 quid depending on which I go with.

Trouble with that is that I wanted the guy I know is good with Audis to replace EGTs, lambdas, check out and repair the ICs, fit Venair hoses, timing belt, alternator, thermostat.... while the engine was out. Cant do that at the trans shop (well dont want to)
But I know I once tried to pick up an AW 4-speed auto out of a Volvo and failed miserably so I am guessing the box out of the '6 is one heavy sucker. So delivering the box somewhere to be overhauled is going to be difficult since the only car I have capable of transporting it....is the one its coming out of.

Or I just do the TC (again, difficult because I cant find a core to upgrade) but then maybe the box packs in shortly after and I'd be back where I started.

Rock, hard place

[Shoppinit]

Can't they just supply an exchange box? That way your mechanic can fit when it goes back in. The ZF exchange boxes are basically all brand new other than the casing. Stick the old box on the pallette the new came on and ship it back to ZF. UPS or Fedex or DHL will be able to. I'm sure your mechanic is used to dealing with engines and boxes arriving on pallettes.

[JCviggen]

Exchange I was quoted over 4K euro...doesnt fit in the budget right now. Wrong time to go bad right after new year while I'm already spending nearly 2K on various other parts I want to replace and not even counting any labour.

[Shoppinit]

Welcome to the world of RS6 ownership?

Where is the car now? Germany? I know that Carsten from Wagner tuning knows some good RS6 specialists in Germany. Why don't you drop him a line?

[paulcrake]

I think he is a helpful guy and might be able to point you in the right direction, and speaks good english

[JCviggen]

Thanks that is a good idea. Car is in munchen currently where I picked up a fugly BMW GT 530d for a week and drove it to switzerland, good travel car just lacks a lot of punch - and sound.

On the way to Munchen the gearbox made one decent "clunk" when I did a tip shift 4 to 3 engine braking. Shortly after when braking to nearly a standstill the box was also noisy. After that I didnt hear anything nasty anymore but I did baby it as much as possible. Tried just keeping it in 5th + lockup for hundreds of miles. Or slowing down very very gently. Upshifts seemed OK but downshifts were iffy.

I am not positive I can get back to Belgium without getting stranded with catastrophic gearbox failure, so I will see if I can find anyone near Munchen.

[paulcrake]

If the car is near Munich it would be a good idea speaking to Florian of Gruber Motorsport. He knows the RS6 and has an audi workshop nearby that can replace what is necessary.
+(49)08744/96797-90
email: info@gruber-motors.de
web: http://www.gruber-motors.de

[JCviggen]

Thanks! Will drop him a mail.

I am thinking at least some of the sounds could have come from a glass bottle under my chair, but still the car needs help. Another strange thing, at one point the car would not idle, just stumble and stall in N or P. But everything else was OK, in D or driving the engine was smooth and normal...and after a while of driving it idled fine again too...confusing stuff.
People also keep telling me the MAFs have some kind of influence on how the trans behaves...so will replace them as well together with EGT and lambdas.

[Shoppinit]

People also keep telling me the MAFs have some kind of influence on how the trans behaves...

I hear this also, but I can't figure out why it would be the case. If you find anything out about this I'd be interested in knowing