Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
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Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
It’s mostly noticeable in reverse but I can hear it in drive too.
Car is on jack stands, haven’t driven it yet due to the noise.
Background: I had the front end off for months and the transmission fuel lines drained abut 1-2 quarts during this time, and one of my suspicions is that there is an air gap in the transmission now?
The other possibility I’m thinking is the filter I used might not be good: it’s a Vaico filter. Anyone have experience with those?
I went through the filling procedure and brought the fluid up to spec temperature and after going through the gears I hear the suction noise. It did take an extra 2 quarts from what the service manual suggested, but that was because of the front end being off for months.
What do you guys think?
Car is on jack stands, haven’t driven it yet due to the noise.
Background: I had the front end off for months and the transmission fuel lines drained abut 1-2 quarts during this time, and one of my suspicions is that there is an air gap in the transmission now?
The other possibility I’m thinking is the filter I used might not be good: it’s a Vaico filter. Anyone have experience with those?
I went through the filling procedure and brought the fluid up to spec temperature and after going through the gears I hear the suction noise. It did take an extra 2 quarts from what the service manual suggested, but that was because of the front end being off for months.
What do you guys think?
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Could be that it's the wrong filter with the pickup pipe too close to the sump pan and it's restricting the inflow / cavitating. There are 2 versions and it's common for aftermarket versions to be too long. I would get the ZF filter. There's a link in a recent thread.
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Mɐʇʇ wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 10:25 amYeah, the right one and the wrong one.![]()
This is the right one, in the UK:
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-197400-zf- ... sions.aspx
And I always found I needed a bit extra (I wrote it in the original DIY I think):
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-198177-zf- ... fluid.aspx
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
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Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
I had a similar noise after having my gearbox oil and filter changed.
To cut a long story short.
The o ring on the filter neck was too small.
Instead of being an interference fit it was a clearance fit.
Just hate paying a garage to do a job. Then having to do it yourself to correct their mistakes.
To cut a long story short.
The o ring on the filter neck was too small.
Instead of being an interference fit it was a clearance fit.
Just hate paying a garage to do a job. Then having to do it yourself to correct their mistakes.
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Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
As Shoppinit says above.
Filter neck should be 20mm long. Not the 25mm one.
Filter neck should be 20mm long. Not the 25mm one.
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
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Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Thanks guys for the input!
I’m in US so I’ll try to source a ZF filter here.
It sucks that I have to redo the job, but I guess sometimes it doesn’t pay to go aftermarket.
I’m in US so I’ll try to source a ZF filter here.
It sucks that I have to redo the job, but I guess sometimes it doesn’t pay to go aftermarket.
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Are they still available at the dealer?
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
The "genuine ZF" filter is actually a Filtran filter : viewtopic.php?f=2&t=133598
As Steve says, 20mm neck - but I've never actually seen a 25mm one in the wild.
Anyway, that thread gives you the correct ZF part numbers that you can find a supplier of in the US.
If you can hear a sucking noise, I'd also question if they followed the refill procedure - potentially it's just underfilled.
Also here's the link to ZF Aftermarket with oil included, but do also see my caveat on my original post about quantities:
https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/catalog/p ... 58.298.047
As Steve says, 20mm neck - but I've never actually seen a 25mm one in the wild.
Anyway, that thread gives you the correct ZF part numbers that you can find a supplier of in the US.

If you can hear a sucking noise, I'd also question if they followed the refill procedure - potentially it's just underfilled.
Also here's the link to ZF Aftermarket with oil included, but do also see my caveat on my original post about quantities:
https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/catalog/p ... 58.298.047
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
My service kit has just arrived and the filer neck is 22mm and it is a Filtram part
Avus Avant, RNS-E mk2 with sds and Bluetooth, Milltek, Hotchkis, Bilstein, Forge, ITG, A.C.E, Wagner, FBMFSW, MTM.
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Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
That’s weird. Measured mine with a vernier caliper and mine is definitely 20mm. Also a filtran filter.
The old one I removed was also 20mm.
I also check over the new filter in great detail. As they are very fragile and easily crack.
The old one I removed was also 20mm.
I also check over the new filter in great detail. As they are very fragile and easily crack.
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Steve its 20mm if i put the O ring on
Theres is a recess which is 2mm below the rest of the filters housing.

Avus Avant, RNS-E mk2 with sds and Bluetooth, Milltek, Hotchkis, Bilstein, Forge, ITG, A.C.E, Wagner, FBMFSW, MTM.
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
You're good. I didn't actually quite show in my original pic on my DIY, but the 20mm is from the flat surface, not the recess. If you look closely at the pic you can see the caliper is standing out a bit from the tube - but it's not clear. For completeness, would you mind taking a pic from the flat surface with the measuring stick on that I could use & add to my Filter thread above?
And as long as you have the part numbers matching my links above, it's spot on (which you do)
(FWIW I never saw a 25mm one - I know they exist for the 5HP24 box, but not for any of your Audis that I know of)
And as long as you have the part numbers matching my links above, it's spot on (which you do)
(FWIW I never saw a 25mm one - I know they exist for the 5HP24 box, but not for any of your Audis that I know of)
Last edited by Mɐʇʇ on Tue Mar 18, 2025 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"not a professional engineer, mechanic and mechanist"
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Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Hi bilco1.
Yes mate 22mm to bottom of recess.
20 mm was to flat surface of filter.
Although I used a vernier caliper. The garage used a steel rule. Hence 20mm became the norm for me.
After reading all of the above. I guess my original problem stems from the garage installing the wrong o ring.
Like Matt. I have never seen a 25mm long neck.
But they do exist apparently.
Yes mate 22mm to bottom of recess.
20 mm was to flat surface of filter.
Although I used a vernier caliper. The garage used a steel rule. Hence 20mm became the norm for me.
After reading all of the above. I guess my original problem stems from the garage installing the wrong o ring.
Like Matt. I have never seen a 25mm long neck.
But they do exist apparently.
Re: Suction noise after transmission fluid/filter service
Yeah. Wrong or incorrectly fitted o-ring could cause aspiration and reduce atf pick up
Daytona RS6 C5 Avant. Viper'd, Billies, Waggers, MTM box brain, C6 stoppers, xcarlink, R8 coolant cap (woohoo)
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
///M3 E46 | XC90 (V8, natch) | Passat GTE | RR Classic V8 flapper
"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair."
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