Diff/Tranny Fluid

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

The unfortunate Andrei Kogan wrote:

> I checked my diff fluid levelyesterday and found that basically there were
> nothing in there except a weak smell :-( . I've been following the
> discussion on evaporating diff fluid on 5Ks so I decided to check out mine

Ouchouchouchouch.  I've been told the check-plug on this is in a 
place where NO ONE except an Audi specialist will find it - and even 
then, most don't bother.  If true, this is something all of us should 
become more familiar with.

BTW - the gent who did my tranny work claims that Audi's 
recommendation is to actually overfill the transaxle by about 1/2 
quart; his guess and mine are to provide a margin for this occurrence.

> I also think that this was the reason for the governor gear to fail
> causing a total loss of automatic shifting. I managed to come up with a
> replacement gear and the automatic now works GREAT except it leaks! I do
> not know yet how bad the leak is but it definitely loses some of the diff
> fluid. 

See note below on fluids - 

> Apparently some shaft seals in the diff were destroyed while running
> it dry.  Is there any kind of a stop leak additive which I could
> temporarily use there before I have a chance to drop the tranny? 

TRANNY and DIFF fluids are two separate items on this car.  According 
to the experts, there is an air gap between the two and they can't 
(well, let's say should not be able to...) swap fluids.  so if your 
problem is in the differential, it's only there - not the tranny - 
and vice versa, unless there's a problem with the shaft which goes 
between the torque converter and tranny, which are mounted on opposite 
sides of the transaxle.  (Hey, I didn't design it...)

> Are there any seals on the diff that could be renewed with the 
transmission still in car?

No opinion.  Bet someone else will know.
 
> Thanks alot. If someone is interested in this governor story, I can e-mail
> some details or post here.
> Andrei

Hope you can get by with seals on this one, Andrei.  Just be careful, 
get a good assessment of its condition, and don't smoke the whole 
thing!! 




********** A Washington State Cougar in Aggieland (aTm) **********

Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
Ag Communications                   Fax:    409/862-1202
Texas A&M University                Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
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