Kinkster Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Hello Everyone, More gearbox stuff I'm afraid.... I own a 1997 Audi S8, have owned it for a couple of months. Last week, it started screaching one morning, but was driving OK. Going home that day, the gearbox 'thumped' and went into safe mode. Next day took car to Audi Dealer, was driving OK, but still screeching - plugged in diagnostic machine and was told 'you need a new gearbox' the fault codes given were -17119 P0735 035 and 17125 P0741 035 I asked if I could drive the car, and was told, perfectly OK to drive if you can put up with the noise. I drove from them to work, seemed to be going OK, bit clunky going from 'P' to 'R' or 'D' In tiptronic mode, was able to go up and down the gearbox OK Then looked on here and took a look at audipages.com, this described my problem word for word..... An Audi dealer has changed the oil and filter (apparently)though the invoice does not show any part numbers, just one item of 'change gearbox oil and filter' cost about 210 pounds Car drives much better but there is still makes the screeching noise, but only very very slightly Still clunks going into 'R' or 'D' but much better. My guess is that the filter wasn't changed, and he only flushed the system out. Any opinions welcome.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 welcome to TSN Sorry to hear of your probs The oil really should be changed at least twice to get rid of the crap in the tranny. Many S/A8's do this clunk/ shunt thing when taking up drive at this age/mileage, but the sreaching noise IIRC is a pump or similar in the transmission and I think that is the serious of the two problems. Paul W should be along soon to shed some light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinkster Posted June 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Hi Ska, The guy reckons he flushed the system through twice.... The car only has 73000 miles (believed genuine!!!) I wish I'd kept my 740, could get into that, drive it hard/easy whatever - took it from 110000 miles up to 175000 miles, was going aswell as the day I bought it, but decided to change for something with lower mileage - what a bad decision!!! Never has any problems at all with any BMW I have owned..... If I'd read this forum before I would NEVER have bought an A or S 8 . What one reads on here is a catalogue of potential disasters that you car will eventually suffer from, having had the S8 for 3 months, this is proving true. As you can tell, I'm a bit grieved!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnifa1 Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Yep, Unfortunately the A8 S8 experience includes gearboxes that fail, all front suspension failing, steering racks failing, oil leaks, various and numerous electrical component faults (headrest motors etc...) and to top it all off the dealers are truly terrible!!! mines had all of the above problems! You have to be brave and really want one of these things!!.... s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 My opinion: You drove the car with the gearbox screaching and then moan that it went bang, what exactly did you expect? You then took it to an Audi dealer and they said you needed a new gearbox, what exactly did you expect? they always say that. Paul will certainly shed some light on the screaching, hopefully he will be able to guide in getting the problem sorted properly. From memory the screaching noise you hear is the pump cavitating as its not getting enough fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 [ QUOTE ] If I'd read this forum before I would NEVER have bought an A or S 8 . What one reads on here is a catalogue of potential disasters that you car will eventually suffer from, having had the S8 for 3 months, this is proving true. [/ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Yep, Unfortunately the A8 S8 experience includes gearboxes that fail, all front suspension failing, steering racks failing, oil leaks, various and numerous electrical component faults (headrest motors etc...) and to top it all off the dealers are truly terrible!!! mines had all of the above problems! You have to be brave and really want one of these things!!.... s [/ QUOTE ] There are a few common faults but not many The gearbox if looked after properly and serviced regularly (40,000 miles in the service book I think) generally doesnt cause a problem, the problems generally come because it hasnt been maintained earlier in its life. The electric rear sunblinds often fail will give you that one. As for other electrical components I dont think any can be called a common fault, including headrest motors. Oil leaks...generally down to a procedure the mechanic carries out when changing the cam belt, if the seal is replaced after the cambelt is finished it doesnt cause a problem. Other oil leaks generally come from breather hoses perishing, this happens on lots of cars not specific to Audi and obviously this tends only to happen on older/higher mileage cars. Steering racks, heard of a few but wouldnt call it common. Suspension problems. granted many higher mileage cars could do with these being replaced, the multi-link bushes have to put up with a lot of stick throughtout their life as most 8's had big wheels and the quattro's ability to take corners very quickly would certainly guve them a hard time. Audi first used this system on the A8 so I dare bet the components got better as production continued on other models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 If your gearbox is still scretching, you need to change the filter. I would ask the dealer if he changed it. I would demand to talk to the tech. The A8 is an awesome car that rivals the 7 series. Wait until you drive it in the rain or snow, you'll understand what it's all about. You guys want to see pictures of a failed tranny? http://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/97964.phtml Click that and then go to his link to the pictures. Once again, when you get a improper gear ratio fault on a certain clutch, this is what happens. BTW, the 7 series tranny is the same thing, a shitty ZF unit. Cheers! Post the results of what the dealer says about the filter change! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pds Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I wish I'd kept my 740, could get into that, drive it hard/easy whatever [/ QUOTE ] Comparing a S8 to 740 is like comparing a Toyota MR2 (you do get them in Britain?) to a Ferrari and then whinging about the maintenance/reliability of the Ferrari. You don't buy a S8 to be a common sense characterless daily car. In saying that I do feel for you, but keep the car in context, get through this episode and you won't regret your purchase in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 Kinkster, don't lose heart. My gearbox lost it's reverse gear last year after a shunt (insurance tossers never paid for it!!!!!) but a new unit cost just over £3k. This sounds a lot. However, I was being quoted £2.3K + VAT for a rebuild!!!!! With the rebuild I was only getting a 12/18 month 12/18000 mileage warranty. But Audi? 2 years unlimited mileage. That's good for me because in the time I've owned the car (19 months) I've done 52000 miles. I love it, she's cost me a few pennies, but I have to say that she's the most comfortable and easy to drive vehicle I've ever had the pleasure to own. And yes, I shall get an S8 when I can The problem is most definitely filter based, make sure the dealer has done it, and if they haven't get it done. Job should be a good 'un. Welcome to TSN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinkster Posted June 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Thanks for all your replies.... I did drive the car screaching, as I had no choice, but only to work, and back, about 8 miles (total) very slowly, and straight to an Audi dealer next morning. The dealer assured me he changed the filter.....but no part numbers are listed on the invoice. Bastard also kept the car for a week to do it!!! When I picked the car up from him, it was only screaching very slightly. Over the weekend I have used the car, and it is definitely improving. It doesn't screach anymore atall, and the cluncks, though still there, are much much less. My feeling is that all he has done is flush the system through (twice apparently) and fill up with new fluid. ALl this has been going on in Brussels, when I am back in the UK for a couple of days, I shall get the oil and filter changed by someone who will actually do it!!!! Gearboxes are OK if maintained correctly......the Audi service schedule will only ever 'check and top up gearbox oil', they will not change oil and filter unless specifically asked, and even then, they don't want to do it!! It is a great car, and I would love to keep it for several years, but I need my confidence in it boosting.... I suppose also that nobody posts on here, just to say their car is going well, so one will always read about the problems...... I'll let you know how it goes....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Hi Kinkster. I bought a '97 A8 4.2 Q Sport. It had 170K miles on the clock. Changed the cam belts, and the gearbox fluid. (I usually get that done when I buy an auto) and then sold the car on when I got to 202K miles (approx 1 yr). Absolutely NO PROBLEMS at all. The car was basically faultless. I prefer young, but high mileage cars. They have usually been looked after the most buy a company with no expense sparred. However, stick with the A8. You will soon appreciate it for what it is. No BM 7 will ever get close. Oh, and find a decent stealer or independant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steph51 Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 couldn't agree with you more cruiser, ex fleet cars are THE way to go, currently have a Bora ST130 TDi '02 with 100k, much less wear on a motorway car than a low mile around town car. Have had 3 A8's, 2 of which were high miles (no probs), latest with 83k got probs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Kinkster, My A8 has been owned by me since November 2003, when it had 78000 on the clock. I've just gone past the 131K mark and still love the car. I know she's cost me a few pennies, but I also know that she'll now last me forever and a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 I'm experiencing the transmission thump on my S8. I've just had the gearbox oil changed by Sinclair Audi at Bridgend but it's still doing it (although changes are now smoother than a very smooth thing). Is there definitely a filter in the S8's gearbox, and if my invoice just lists 5x ATF oil does it look like the dealer has just changed the oil and not the filter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 S8ed, sounds exactly like that. I'd take her back and insist on the filter change too. Without being rude, how much did they charge you??? Welcome to TSN by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 £280, but that included four wheel tracking and checking the BOSE subwoofer. Dammit, how do I get them to understand exactly what it is I want them to do? The oil has now been changed three times this year so far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Audi do not change the filter unless specifically asked to. Tell them in words of less than one syllable and they should understand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Right, that's me back on the phone to them Monday. Honestly, do they need me to show them which way the spanners turn as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Sometimes How have you found them generally?? Any good? The Audi dealers tend to be very random in their customer service. I travel to Swindon to have mine done, because they're brilliant. Wouldn't touch Bath Audi with a BMW owners pole, never mind my own!! But Audi_Smitten has had great service from them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 This is my first encounter with Audi dealers, having only had the car for four weeks so far. It came back from them (Sinclair Audi Bridgend) yesterday sparkling clean, which was nice, but obviously I failed to communicate exactly what was required with the gearbox. For most servicing work I'd usually use an independent, but my normal place wasn't able to do the gearbox filter due to lack of the right Torx bits. If I can just get it sorted, I can stop worrying that I'm going to have to sell my first born to finance a gearbox rebuild. The tracking job was spot on, though, and it steers like a dream now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Gearbox rebuild isn't worth it unless you do low mileage. I had mine go on me a few months ago. Got quoted £2300-£2700 + VAT for a rebuild, with 12/18 month 12/18000 mile warranties. Audi Supplied and fitte a new gearbox for just over £3k all in with a 2 year/unlimited mileage warranty (I've done 10k on it already ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Not as bad as I've heard from some quarters, but still a bit eye-watering. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the oil change, but I suppose if that doesn't work I've got nothing to lose by driving it until <Popeye Voice> I can't standsk no more </Popeye Voice>. Which dealer did the gearbox change for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Is it just me or are Audi dealers a little bit thick? In my opinion if you have gone into the dealer asking for a gearbox service I would expect that to include the oil and filter change. On this basis what do they do when you book the car in for an engine oil service? surely they replace the oil and filter. If they havent replaced the filter in the gearbox I'd be very reluctent to pay them labour costs to strip it back out again, you should only be charged for the actual filter part next time round. Of course this is just my opinion and involves common sense, a bit too much to ask I suppose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 I'd agree chap Tell them you wanted the complete Gearbox service, not the pretend one they've given you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 I'm glad you've both said that - it confirms that I'm not assuming too much in expecting the filter changed with the oil. I recall asking for it, but I can't be 100% certain that I did and in any case it'll be my word against theirs. If when I call on Monday I specify a transmission flush, including torque converter, new filter, new oil (because the stuff they've just put in will be full of bits now), new pan gasket, clean the magnets, have I covered it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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