Hi,
I am looking at a G reg Audi 80 2.0 E auto with 73,000 on the clock and FSH. The automatic gearbox is filled way over max mark and fluid is brown (engine up to temp). Cooling fans stay on for long after engine switched off. Drives well but for slight whine.
Any advice gratefully received, especially on the autobox. Perhaps it just needs a fluid change?
Hopeful thanks in advance
Rob fleming
|
I have had autos and the fluid always remained the original pink. The only reason someone would overfill would be if there was a leak. Surely the gearbox will overheat. Thank god honest john has recommended some trustworthy garages to service autogearboxes as they are expensive to repair.
You ought to say how much they are asking!
|
My last car was an Audi 100 2.0E auto, which suffered a total diff failure some 8 months after I bought it at 80 000 miles. There is a known fault with these boxes / diffs, which is that the seal between the autobox and the diff fails, allowing mixing of fluids. My simple understanding is that ATF can't withstand the pressures in the diff, and it will soon fail if the fluids mix.
This happened some 9 years ago, and since then I've heard of one or two other such cases, one with a manual Audi. Diff replacement then, by a specialist here in SW Scotland, was around £1200-£1300, and I was told I was lucky, in that no swarf got into the autobox itself. The specialist repairer was able to detect the problem immediately, by engaging forward, then reverse, while listening with the door open and his head hanging out - he detected an appreciable "clunk" rather than a simple gear engagement.
Cost of the diff parts alone at that time was in the region of £700.
Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
I think barge pole and do not touch come to mind
|
|
|
|
Rob,
Think hard about this one. Brown fluid is usually overheating, also wonder why it is so full. Don't buy one that whines.
As John's story demonstrates you can soon be disabled with a repair bill more than the cars value. And that is the dilemma with buying older quality cars.
Personally I would never buy a 10+yr old auto without speaking to an autobox guru for likely faults and a quote for a full overhaul. If you couldn't afford/justify the possible cost don't buy.
Sorry to be an old misery. Why not get a manual, plenty about.
David
|
|
|
Brown fluid usually indicates burning (overheating) of the foward & reverse clutches and brake bands - all crucial components of an auto-box. I suggest you steer clear of this example - take DW's advice and look for the manual gearbox version (Unless you REALLY need an auto) All auto-boxes are expensive to repair/recondition due to their complexity and the stanglehold the manufacturer has on the aftermarket parts supply and pricing.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
The cars I have bought tend to be over 5 years old and despite this the autogearbox is still OK. I wonder if this was because the owners tend to be less aggressive drivers and do not abuse the car. Compare this with the manual cars, of a similar age, where I find the synchromesh and gear selection rather worn. I once had an auto Bedford van which had perfect autogearbox but wornout engine.
|
Andrew
It's true that autoboxes can prevent the engine and drivetrain abuse which a non-smypathetic driver can dish out to a manual. However, they aren't foolproof, and I'd agree with the others - brown fluid means (usually) overheating and brake band wear, and it's never cheap to fix.
I'd say avoid, unless the rest of the car's excellent and you get a repair quote first and get the price reduced to cover the cost.
One concern is that the previous owner hasn't understood how to correctly measure the fluid level, and so has overfilled it. Has he not read the manual and also doesn't understand other items?
Regards
john
|
|
|
|
Hi
Thanks for the advice.
I didn't buy it in the end. But my dad did, for £550 after telling the owner the 'box needed replacing. Seems to think he can install another autobox (which he did on a Saab 9000 with success).
The Audi is otherwise immaculate. I thought he was mad the last time, now I'm not so sure.
Rob Fleming
|
|
For that sort of money I don't think he can go too far wrong!!
|
|
|
|
