[A4] A4 clutchless shifting

[Jonathan Papamarkos]

I don't know if this applies to an '05 but here is my scenerio that had my Audi dealer replacing my car when it only had 20,000 miles on it.
   
  2000 Audi A4 1.8T
   
  1.) Bought the car brand new
  2.) Had the dealer replace the oil at 5,000 miles (free of charge at that time)
  3.) Noticed some clutch slippage while going up hills around 12,000 miles
  4.) Reported it to the dealership who said all was in spec, not to worry, it was simply the clutch was "glazed" over and it would subside.
  5.) Brought the car in for third oil change and complained some more, clutch was getting worse.
  6.) Same story.
  7.) Finally at 20,000 miles clutch was shot, called Audi USA main complaint office
  8.) After a lot of fighting and profanity, an Audi "Engineer" came out to the dealership, I was there for the "appointment" to watch what he was going to come up with.
  9.) He rode tested the car and determined the clutch was shot (what a find, huh!)
  10.) While investigating further, it was realized that there are two "vent" holes for the bell housing of the transmission that are exactly below the engine oil filter.  
   
  It seems that when the dealership was changing the oil filter, they didn't realize that oil was flowing into the clutch housing by means of the law of gravity and contaminating the clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel.  
   
  They replaced the clutch.  Once I got home, I plugged those holes with thick plastic caps and epoxy.  I change my oil myself and never had any further issues (90,000 miles on the car now).  BTW, the car has been chipped since 11,000 miles and no issues.
   
  JP

       
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