1991 80Q tranny woes

[Jim Bresee]

Howdy!
Manual transmission Audi 80 Quattro.  It's been making a bit of noise in the
transmission, so I wanted to get the fluid level checked when I put it in
for an inspection.  Apparently, the previous owner stripped the allen bolt,
so the good folks at the inspection station took an air hammer to it and
finished it off.

I took the car to the local Aamaco transmission shop Today to see if they
could get what's left of the plug out.  They called to say that the noise
from the transmission was a bad bearing, and that to check the fluid level,
they would have to drop the tranny.  Estimate to remove the tranny and
diagnose is $200.00.  His guy thinks the differential is bad, and that seals
need to be replaced.

My read on it is that there is a noticeable whine, and significant backlash
when you lift off the accelerator in 2nd gear.  I've noticed some oil oozing
at the seals.
My question - what would you do?
Should I try and find a used tranny to drop into this thing?
Is this something I can do at home? (I have another car I can run until I
get this one on the road).

Jim


Jim Bresee
VP, Technical Operations
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions
802-264-6284 o
617-803-6924 c