Good thread on A8 Transmission Seal Failure on Audiworld.com

[Kneale Brownson]

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The V8 was supplied without a transmission dipstick but the tube for one
was there and capped off.  A dipstick is available. It allows you to check
that you have fluid in the transmission, but the check must be done with
the transmission fully warmed. Does this issue mean that on the A8 there
isn't even a tube for a dipstick?


At 07:18 PM 02/07/2002 -0600, Paul Waterloo wrote:

>There was an interesting thread on transmission failure the other day.
>
>After reading about all of these transmission failures, it appears the
>reason why they fail is due to the final drive seal failing. Once the seal
>fails, the oil in the transmission leaks out, then it fails because of lack
>of lubrication and an automatic transmission needs oil to operate, so it
>kills all the components as cavitation occurs.
>
>Regardless of the actual failure mode, the seal is the culprit. One of the
>listers has found his seal to be dripping and replaced it, I don't know if
>we discussed it on this list, but the procedure was posted on audiworld.com.
>
>My recommendations is that the car is put up on a lift and the seals
>inspected for leakage, I assume it is some type of mechanical seal or just
>simple plastic seal. You have to drop the exhaust, one cat and the drive
>shaft to replace it, but I don't think it's that hard.
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