[V8] the new guy

[lundabo at msn.com]

Not so much an "other side" tale as much as it is the "path less traveled..."
 
On my A8L, the auto trans are supposed to be "lifetime" fluids, with no need for change.  Well, anyone who owned one for more than 70k soon realized that the "lifetime" fluid was breaking down and causing wear to the clutches and torque converter lining.  That debris in turn clogged the filter, which caused cavitation and fluid starvation, which led to the premature failure of the transmissions.  Fun.
 
So, the preferred route became to swap the fluid and filter every 40k; however, Audi says Pentosin fluid only.  At $25/liter and up to 10 liters needed, you could see how this could add up quickly.  Most listers at Audiworld (don't shoot me) strictly warned to use Pentosin and that it was crazy to risk using anything else.  Well, one lister who rebuilds trannies on the side, did the research and found that one of the major chain store brands sold a fluid with nearly identical chemical properties as the Pentosin.  He started using it with absolutely no adverse consequences.  The cost?  $3.99 a quart.  
 
So, there is no reason not to try other fluids, but I think the experiments should be from a reasoned approach, not a trial and error....it gets way too expensive if you make wrong choices.  The only other caveat I would give is that there has to be a cost-benefit analysis.  With the frequency that the hydraulic fluid is changed, and the amounts needed...not sure there is enough benefit to warrant any risk.  I.e., I wouldn't change unless I was absolutely sure the new fluid would give no problems. 
 
Just my $.02
 
Bill> From: superdaveski at hotmail.com> To: v8 at audifans.com> Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:31:59 -0400> Subject: Re: [V8] the new guy> > > > > now the other side of the Story, FWIW..........> now I know the purist in the V8 crowd are going to get there nose out of joint, but ATF transmission fluid works fine in the Audi Hydraulic system ... After reading up on the properties of both fluids I came to the conclusion that it was okay to use.These two fluids can be mixed . How many of you guys run with synthetic oil in you car ? so what is wrong with using synthetic hydraulic oil . When my 5000 qt sprung a leak in the PS system I put ATF in and it stopped leaking , that was 6 years ago :-) and I'm still driving the car . > Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:12:39 -0700> From: cheshirecatsbox at gmail.com> To: v8 at audifans.com> Subject: Re: [V8] the new guy> > Yeah, I figured I'd probably do the timing belt just to be safe since i have> no way of knowing if it's ever been done (often shops will write the mileage> on the timing cover somewhere). And I remember reading somewhere that the> original estimate was 90k, but was revised to 60k. Trust me, after owning a> Corrado for 8 years, I'm definitely used to researching.> > II haven't had a chance yet to see all where it's leaking from, but I agree> that someone probably put in regular "red" power steering fluid at some> point.> > From what I've ready so far, I've already gotten pretty excited about owning> this car, even with all the problems. However, I like the grey (Titanium)> color so much more and the 5spd just makes it that much better. Plus it> probably needs far less work than the one I already have.> > From what I've described so far, does it sound like the $850 price tag on> mine worth it? I'm about $1400 into it so far ($850 to purchase, $350 in> parts, $100 for a shop to look at it, $100 title transfer). Should I keep> fixing it, or should I just part it and start over with a better one?> > On Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 8:06 PM, Kneale Brownson <knealeski at sbcglobal.net>wrote:> > > Right. I meant to say that while Audi originally listed 90K miles for belt> > change, the concensus is it should be 60K.> >> > *lundabo at msn.com* wrote:> >> > Hi Kneale and Seamus....> >> > Read this thread after work today.> >> > Kneale, I think your 90k estimate for the belt is generous. Ours snapped> > at 77k, which ultimately led to the replacement of the engine. I agree on> > your braking advice.> >> >> >> _______________________________________________> Audifans V8 mailing list> Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com> Manage your list connection: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8> > You can help keep the audifans site running by shopping at http://audifans.com/shop/> > > > > _________________________________________________________________> If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines four overlapping crossword puzzles into one!> http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208> _______________________________________________> Audifans V8 mailing list> Send posts to: mailto:V8 at audifans.com> Manage your list connection: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8> > You can help keep the audifans site running by shopping at http://audifans.com/shop/>