JoePGT5S

This is turning out to be a very sad day for my 2001 S8.

Today I noticed the engine suddenly reving up, as if the car was put into neutral, when changing from 1st to 2nd (or might have been 2nd to 3rd). After backing off the accelerator that car clunked into gear. This happened a few more times before the transmission went into limp mode (that feels like 4th gear).

VAG COM pulls one code from the transmission:
1 Fault Found:
17166 - Gear 2
P0732 - 35-00 - Incorrect Ratio

The car has 240k miles on what I think is the original transmission (the service records that came with the car indicated no transmission work) - so it's probably well overdue for a transmission problem.

How risky would it be to drive the car from the East coast to Chicago (for a Tozo trans)? I'm guessing an 800 mile drive in Limp mode would be asking for trouble.

Does anyone know of a good place close to central NJ that can do Audi transmission work?

Thanks,

Joe

silverd2

Have you checked the atf level?

JoePGT5S

Thanks for promoting me to check the basics. I haven't noticed any transmission leak, so I was assuming levels would be ok; however makes sense to check before assuming the worst.

Thanks,

Joe

tozoM8

I can send you a rebuilt trans and you just swap it out. Email me at tozoa8 at yahoo dot com for details.

JoePGT5S

Thanks for responding. Email just sent.

JoePGT5S

Here is an update after many months of indecision about whether to fix the transmission or not.

My first preference was to get the car to Chicago for a Tozo rebuild; however I just didn't want to take the risk of driving 800 miles and ruining the transmission even more (or getting stranded on the highway somewhere in the middle). After lots of looking around I found a local independent transmission shop that had done a few Audis before, so took the financial leap of getting a full rebuild. I asked to see the transmission once it was torn down and there was the exact same torn O ring in the A drum that seems to be mentioned in many other posts (in particular the nice rebuild writeup by nossisnave). The thrust bearing in the A drum had also come apart, and the transmission mechanic seemed to think it was the bearing coming apart first that causes a subsequent shift in the A drum that tears the O ring. The mechanic also mentioned that the transmission had never been opened (pan had never been dropped) or removed from the car, so it appears this particular unit managed to survive 240k miles without any type of service (perhaps supporting the "sealed for life" side of the debate).

I took a bunch of photos of the insides today and the following show the bearing bits and the torn O - ring, along with where the O - ring sits in the A drum:
Attachment 104130
Attachment 104131
Attachment 104132

I'll report back once the car is back on the road, and hopefully will have a transmission that will last another 240k miles :-)

Joe