re: Steel plugs in aluminum!

[Ken Keith <auditude@impulsedata.net>]

quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne) wrote:
> 
> In message <199807072048.UAA27452@specialdevices.com> "Ken Keith" writes:
> 
> > Yes!  This is what I'm going to have to do.  Do you think there is enough
> > room in there to do this with the tranny still on the car?  I'd have to
> > get a cordless drill, unless there is a better tool I can use.  How's
> > about some kind of right angle drill?  I don't have a compressed air
> > source, does anyone have any ideas?
> 
> Drilling out is an ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT.

I think I'm there (as far as being able to remove the plug).
 
> Replacement plugs are just a spares issue.  The best thing to do is
> drive something nasty like an oversize TORZ or spline driver in, and
> twist it out.  Then replace it with a nice new one.

I was thinking something along the lines of something the shape of a 
regular screwdriver, but something that can be gripped by a wrench.
Your idea sounds like a good one.

However, my plug is tightened pretty good in the tranny.  I think 
relieving the pressure a bit might help alot.  If I were to only 
drive something nasty into the plug, it won't help the pressure 
factor.  Do you think it won't matter?
 
> Failing that - ignore it.  Drain the thing, and trickle the new stuff
> in through the breather.  Only problem - you need to know how much,
> since Audi changed the quantity fairly significantly at one point.

I probably will do this in the short term.  When I get a chance (namely, 
the q is running and I can drive it), I'll drop the tranny if I have to 
to fix the plug.  It will bother me if I leave it that way.
 
> For the rear differential - you need 2.2 litres.
> 
> For the front - 3.2 litres in early gearboxes, 2.2 in later ones.
> You tell the difference from the date stamp on the side of the gearbox.
> 
> In Audi's example, the stamp is "AAU 19 08 2".  AAU is the code, 19 is
> the day, 08 is the month and 2 is the year (1982).  The change from
> 3.2 litres to 2.2 litres occured on 23 07 5 - so a North American car
> almost certainly expects 3.2 litres in the front differential and 2.2
> litres in the rear.  Drain through the drain plug and fill by measured
> quantity through the breather.  Hint - thin tube and patience.

Thanks!  That's great info.  For some reason, good stuff like this takes 
a few revisitings of the topic before they surface.

One question tho':  I only have a front differential on my Coupe GT, 
right?  So, then does my car need the 3.2 litre amount, or is there a 
different capacity for FWD cars?

Well actually two questions:  You said they changed _from_ 3.2l to 2.2l 
beginning on 7/23/85, so therefore North American cars most certainly 
take the larger amount.  My ever-so-good powers of deductive reasoning 
are leading me to believe you are talking about an ur-q exclusively.  Am 
I right?

My tranny seems to be getting worse, grinding much more often when going
into first, even when stopped (if I don't go into third first and such), 
and needing the clutch to be let out slightly to get the last bit of 
teeth to mesh when engaging first.  I'm thinking my fluid is getting 
low.

Thanks,

Ken (w/Bentley for capacity checking, and a _pocketful_ of spare plugs)

p.s.  Is there an easy way to tell (from my computer ;-) ) which tranny 
I have?  It's an '86 Coupe GT, late '85 build date. 013? 093?
-- 
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