ATF change - Proving the garage wrong

[Ells109]

After chattting to Grizz and reading threads on gearbox fuild changes, I think the garage (not an Audi stealer unfortunately) changed mine has been negligent in not running the engine whilst refilling the fluid. I'm looking for any evidence I can take to them to prove they've facked up gearbox

Does anyone have any links?

PS I have this link so far..

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/ ... icing.html

RS6 03 Avant. Sadly sitting in my garage...bored

[slimmyreed]

Well I guess the only REAL proof you could get to prove they underfilled the box is to get another garage (MRC or Unit 20 would probably be preferable) to drain out the fluid and actually measure how much is there. Get this in a technicians report and then take it to them.

That link is facinating. I need to service mine, and MRC quoted me over £350 for a gearbox service. I'm a mechanic myself, and this certanly seems like something i can manage. I'll post my findings when i do it.

[jd_hants]

Thats a very interesting article. I had my fluid changed by camberley. But its described as flushing the gearbox rather than replacing the oil!!! Maybe its not a good idea to completely drain the fluid. Although I dont see how you can replace the filter without draining. On further inspection, mine needed a new gearbox gasket as it was leaking so I guess the fluid must have been drained.

[slimmyreed]

Perhaps when they say they flushed it, it means they drained the fluid, found it to be highly contaminated, filled it, and then drained it again to ensure all the contaminated fluid was removed.

[Shoppinit]

There are machines that'll tranfuse the ATF, but I'd be very surprised if Audi did this. The procedure certainly doesn't call for it.

If you drain the fluid, about 40% remains in the box and TC. You can't possibly change the filter without draining the box, but like I said, 40% remains inside.

I just had my ATF changed, and next time the car's in for something I'll get it done again. This way I should get about 85% of the old fluid out.

[Shoppinit]

Concerning the evidence. You need to get another garage to drain the ATF remaining in your box into a recipient that'll allow you to measure it.

Then fill the box following the Audi procedure, making a careful note of how much fluid goes in. Don't forget, the procedure calls for the ATF to spill out of the fill hole, this is how you know the correct level is reached. Make sure you collect this overspill and measure it.

The difference between what came out and what goes in will tell you if the original garage properly filled the box.

IMHO without independant (expert) witenesses, then the evidence will be worth little.

Having said that, the garage has an obligation to provide results under the sales of goods act. If it went to court and you have 'evidence' then I would hope that justice would be on your side.

[Shoppinit]

You can't possibly change the filter without draining the box

Unless you turn the car upsidedown, but you'd have to be fairly beligerant to do this just to prove me wrong

[jd_hants]

I asked what the draned fluid was like and it was ok - no metal deposits or signed of overheating

[jd_hants]

shoppinit: yes i guess thats what he meant by flushing rather than replacing as you cant actually get all of it out. but by regular flushing ie replacing most of the fluid, eventually it should all (ish) be replaced. better than nothing i guess.

[grizz]

As i said , get it booked in with Audi , Ensure you get a independent engineer to watch the master tec and then write a report. Take a sample of oil and get it analysed .

[paul_23]

If you do a web search for ZF 5HP24 you will find a pdf document by zf on the repair/refurbishment and how they should be refilled. If you can't find it them pm me with your email address and I will email it you.

I would echo what Grizz says.

Playing devils advocate - if you are going to pursue the garage then think what defense they will take and try to counteract it. If I were them I would say it was faulty before which is why you got the ATF change as Audi say they are sealed for life.... or the gearbox was suffering symptoms of hard shifting etc and the fluid change caused clutch plates to detach which then got mashed. Build up a good case with your service history, mileage etc and find out how many of these gearboxes have they changed the ATF on (note A8, X5 and Range Rovers have the same gerneric design 5hp24) and if they have software like VAGCOM to monitor the temp when refilling. Good luck.

[Ells109]

Update (sorry, Ive been snowed under with work) - I phoned the garage and put it to them as politely as possible that they hadn't done the job properly; they admitted so much. they said bring it in and we'll try again.... and 1 day later I get a call saying come and pick it up. I said "Is it fixed?" the bloke said "pick it up, see what you think!", I said "What do youthink??" he said "Seems a lot better..."

Anyway, picked it up and it is fine. No gear slipping, jumping etc so it seems Grizz (and this forum) have saved me at least 3 grand!!

What really annoys me is no apology from the garage - I need to speak to owner to express my dissapointment. Only wished I lived closer to unit 20 as this indie is my only real alternative to Walton Audi who are not to be trusted with a screwdriver let alone a car!

[Daveperc]

Looks like you are based in Weybridge. You could fairly easily get to Camberley and either have a coutesy car, or I'm sure they would drop you at Farnboro station which is a direct line to Weybridge (and the train passes Walton Audi on the way!!)

Just a thought

Dave