Audi A3 Quattro Gearbox Oil Problem

[Luey]

I am hoping one of the wise members of this forum can help me out with a problem. 

I bought a 07 Audi A3 Quattro 2.0 TDI (170hp) a few months ago, it's seen 114,000 miles and had full service history until a year and a half ago.

I decided to do a quick gearbox oil change as part of my maintenance plan. I wanted to get the gearbox back to that smooth buttery action you'd expect on a new car.

I did the follow:

• There was no sign of any leakage from the gearbox.
• I drained the old gearbox oil without any issue or anything interesting to report.
• The oil was dirty, it came out the usual brown semi transparent colour. When it fully drained it was more or less black with a hint of blue in the drain pan.
• I didn't go through it with a magnet or filter it but there was no obvious sign of metal deposits that caught my eye.
• I filled up the gearbox with a fresh 2.1 litres of 75w90 Gearbox Oil
• I used some budget gearbox oil, which I have used before on other cars, I was/am intending to change it again in the future anyway.

I took it for a casual and gentle test drive only a few miles and my gut was telling me something didn't seem right.

The gear action was smooth and confident and much better than before which was really pleasing. However there was definitely a new faint noise bugging me. I will admit the sound was very faint from inside the car especially over the large and loud diesel engine. However winding down the windows as I drove along there was definitely a faint tone coming from the engine/gearbox area, I wouldn't describe it as a whine nor a grinding, more of a metal brushing on metal sound again admittedly very faint. I want to ensure everything is okay before any damage is done.

Upon returning home very distressed and concerned I did some googling. I've read a couple conflicting reports about my gearbox in terms of oil grade and also quantity. I believe at this point the car requires 2.3 litres (0.2 litres more than I put in initially.) I wish I had measured what I had removed from the car at this point. Additionally I've read some conflicting reports over which grade I was/am supposed to use. If anyone could tell me where I can find or find me the actual spec it would be much appreciated. 

I plan on immediately topping the gearbox up to 2.3 litres before I drive it again. I'm incredibly confident that no damage has occurred from this mistake as I caught it so quickly.

Can anyone give me any advice! 

 

 

 

 

[Dan3222]

People will be hesitant to comment on this one. I think gone has the day where you can use only old oil in these finely engineered mechanical components. You might be lucky and it might of been a chatter because the oil level was low. I do dought that the oil type used would have caused wear damage in just a couple of miles. But I would drop the oil and put the correct one in before you drive it again. 

I am guessing it's a manual, if it is you could consider using an additive like ZX1 to help prevent future wear.

[Luey]

2 minutes ago, Dan3222 said:

People will be hesitant to comment on this one. I think gone has the day where you can use only old oil in these finely engineered mechanical components. You might be lucky and it might of been a chatter because the oil level was low. I do dought that the oil type used would have caused wear damage in just a couple of miles. But I would drop the oil and put the correct one in before you drive it again. 

I am guessing it's a manual, if it is you could consider using an additive like ZX1 to help prevent future wear.

I appreciate the help. 

I've been looking into it for a couple hours.

I have determined the oil is the correct weight and specification for the gearbox again admittedly a budget product. It is however 200ml short of specification.

As I said in my original post, I am certain there is no damage done given the short gentle drive. 

I will be topping the oil up first thing in the morning. Then I will see where things go from there.

I will at some point change the gearbox oil again for something expensive and premium.

I will also have a look into a anti wear additive as you have suggested. I've used Lucas Oil Stabiliser before and found it to be brilliant.

If anyone else has any thoughts or suggestions let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

[cliffcoggin]

Luey.

If you can now hear a noise from the gearbox that wasn't there before the oil change, then something has clearly altered. Whether that is caused by damage, a different oil specification, lack of sawdust (look it up if you don't know what I mean), or a vivid imagination, it should not be ignored. Normally I would have no qualms about using a cheap oil if it met the manufacturer's specification, but if you have doubts about the oil quality the first thing to do is to change it.

[Luey]

A vivid imagination could definitely be the case. 

I had read a few articles online that had made me very nervous about changing my gearbox oil before I even began. I don't think it's a lack of sawdust either, and yes I got exactly what you meant. I am the first to admit as gear oils go the stuff I have bought is by no means the best on the market. It is however the right spec and weight. I am sure this clean fresh cheap correct spec oil is better than the dirty disgusting 114,000 mile old oil anyway.

[Luey]

I think I have it sorted now, thanks for the help everyone.

[cliffcoggin]

So tell us then. What was the problem?

[Luey]

1 minute ago, cliffcoggin said:

So tell us then. What was the problem?

The oil was definitely too low for starters and it was probably running a little dry. 

I did some reading online, modern gearboxes are incredibly sensitive to even minor discrepancies in oil level.

I've added about 350ml which is more than I thought it was going to need but I'm sure it's got the right amount now.

I'm really pleased with the end result, the gearbox is so incredibly smooth, the transformation is easily apparent. 

I'm going to do the transfer case and rear differential as soon as possible. I need to go buy some thinner pipe however.

Audi say their gearboxes are a sealed system and don't need the oil changing but I would strongly recommend it anyway.

The oil I removed was awful and I doubt at 10 years, 114,000 miles it was doing even 1/5th the job it was doing originally.

I'm sure the transfer case will be just as bad when I go to do that too. I'm going to do my 184,000 mile Audi A4 next too, that's going to be fun.

 

[cliffcoggin]

I would never have guessed so little oil would have made so much difference. Thanks for letting us know. That knowledge may be useful to somebody else in future.

[Dan3222]

That's a good result then. Maybe a selector fork or a sleeve etc was not fully submerged in oil, hence the chatter you could hear. 👍

[Luey]

Yes definitely seems much better. My worklist for the car is still pretty long however.

This week I have to remove the inlet manifold and replace it. The swirl flap actuator broke off and it's bored a hole in the side the manifold.

I'm going to replace the plastic one with a alloy one without swirl flaps from:

http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/

I've just blanked off the EGR system which I swear has made a noticeable difference too!

I've just ordered some ZX1 like you suggested Dan, at some point I will probably do a full write up of my experience re-homing a Audi that needed just a little love.