The transmission fluid was inadvertently drained instead of the oil during an oil change. The car, which has only 37000 miles, was taken by flat bed truck to a VW dealer to have the fluid replaced per manufacturers specs. When picked-up the transmission was shifting a bit rough and within a week started banging into 1st gear and occasionally slipping into neutral at stops. I think the tech let too much fluid escape when replacing the transmission plug and the level is too low.
The dealer blames an "obstruction" that has magically appeared and wants to change the filter screen and gasket (for only $690)! Also stated that the fluid was black (instead of red) to further push the obstruction issue.
1.) Never take your car to a quicky-lube place.
2.) Never take your car to be repair by a dealer unless it's for warranty/recall work.
3.) Automatic transmissions are evil.
Now, seriously - take the car to an independent. Have it towed if necessary. Never darken the doors of that dealer again.
My son did the same with his 2.8 Tiptronic. We corrected the problem ourselves by getting the liquid gold that the dealer sells and replacing the same amount as he drained out.
17 mm Allen socket is needed and a pump. once the drain is removed from the bottom of the trans a pump is used to pump the replacement fluid up, over a wall in the trans. The wall keeps the fluid from draining out. Then the plug is replaced. Once this was done he has had no problems in two years. If there is a question as to the correct fluid level it is necessary to check for error codes with a VAG system interrogation of the ECU. There is no dip stick or other method of checking the fluid.
It sounds to me that whoever made the mistake tried to correct the problem ad added the incorrect fluid which reacted with the remainder of the correct fluid.
The "obstruction" claim is possible but was probably caused by the incorrect fluid (if that was done).
The problem sounds like it has progressed past the point that a screen / gasket change will fix the problem even with a complete transmission flush with the correct fluid. The $690 is not likely to correct the problem.
I am just guessing that someone tried to add the wrong fluid but if they did it may have attacked and ruined some parts that have caused the black color of the fluid.
You probably have a big problem and because it was started by someone other than an Audi dealership recourse may require legal action. you don't want to know what a new transmission would cost.
Let us know how this goes.
Sorry for the problem and I hope that it is not as bad as I have suggested.
Regardless of (one's dislike for) dealers, the person who drained the transmission should be paying for the repair, not the OP! Put the screws to the responsible party and let them pay all.
BTW, if the fluid is black, then it is burned, and that indicates that the transmission is slipping big time. I hate to say it, but I suspect you are looking at a rebuild on it.
As to 'obstruction'... HUH? Not even remotely possible. Now, if the fluid was grossly low you can do this type of damage, so your thought that the dealer didn't properly refill it could be a factor in the current problems.
what IS the recommended change out mileage for auto box fluid.
my 2.4 has covered 75k and I cannot recall it ever being changed.
Only last week I was discussing this topic at work, expressing my concerns that "its running great" now but what if I get it replaced and it goes TU...............
I didn't say anything about who should pay. Or who was responsible for the failure.
I said to get it away from the dealer.
I doubt that'll be good enough. Unless you replace the whole guts.
Right - yet another reason to get it away from the dealer. If the dealer can't figure out something this simple, then having them open it up and replace stuff to the tune of $700 seems kinda stupid.
Here's what's going to happen: the dealer will blame the quicky lube. The quicky lube will blame the dealer. Not enough evidence for any kind of case, even in small-claims court to get either one of them.
The OP owns this one, and is gonna eat $4k in tranny repairs.
Thanks for all your help! Especially Dave (VWDoc)for the ZF transmission manual link. I now know that the fluid is supposed to be GREEN! The dealer that replaced the fluid used RED fluid - stating that was the only kind VW used (and the only kind they had)! I'll show them the manual and end the argument right there.
Also, about who pays for the mistake.... that would be me! I was showing my 17 year old son how to change the oil (whoops). I had always worked on rear wheel drive autos in the past and I should have been more attentive to what I was doing. Well.... the fluid was black and probably needed changing anyway.
The last time the oil was changed by a "mechanic" it was drained.
Oh, did I forget something?
No... it was just drained!
The engine was a little low on oil..... about 3 1/2 quarts low!!!! Only the oil pressure light saved the engine. Do you blame me for wanting to make sure the job was done right this time?
The mistake is easy to make given the location of the trans drain plug being so close to the front, especially the first time you DIY.
Given that green and red were mixed you might be lucky by several complete flushes and replacing with the green. Seems it would be worth a try before anything more major.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.