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RE: some Audi 200 Problems [long]



Jason,

You wrote about some transmission woes.  
>	4. My tranny is feeling real bad now.  THe reverse is horrible.  I
have to
>pump the gas twice in R to get it in gear and the 3rd gear is bad too(I
have a
>Auto trans)  

This is THE symptom of a bad transmission.  No easy fix here.

>Recently the 1st gear has been giving me trouble, but not as bad
>as the 3rd and the R.  

Reverse usually gives problems first, followed by 3rd.  

>I brougth it into the shop and the guy told me that I
>need to rebuild it(the price is unbearable) 

He's right - you need a rebuild or another tranny - read a similar
exchange I had with Al Powell.  We both have 1990 Audi 200 Turbos
and both have had the trannys rebuilt.

I had similar problems on my 1990 Audi 200 Turbo during the summer of
1996.
Here is a reply I got from Al Powell regarding that.  My comments are
offset by '>'.  His comments are not offset.

> I've got a 1990 200 Turbo 5 cylinder automatic.
[snip]
> >3)  As the problem gets worse, the delay increases - up to and beyond
> >30 seconds before reverse will engage.
> 
> Is this what I should expect?

Yup.  As it gets worse, it gets dangerous cuz you can't engage 
reverse w/o revving it - and then it slams in.
 
> >4)  In the final stages, the transmission may not engage third gear
> >when hot - I had to "limp home" 90 miles in second gear one day.
> 
> I must be in the final stages because now and then the transmission does
not
> engage 3rd gear.  I had a local mechanic do a tranny service ( replace 
> fluid, etc.) and this helped somewhat but I still notice the symtoms
above.

I bet this happens when it's fully warmed up, right?
> 
> >The Audi dealer cannot sell you a transmission along; they only list
> >the trans and transaxle as a UNIT, which means over $3000.  BUT - any
> >competent VW tranny mechanic can fix it for much less.
> 
> Do I have any other options?  Are these transmissions re-buildable?
Have 
> you heard of any success stories with transmissions from junkyards?

Options: YES.  Don't go to the dealer.  First, they only sell new and 
hideously expensive parts.  At least on the 84-91 series, they no 
longer sell a transmission!  They deleted that parts option, although 
this sounds insane...  You MUST buy both tranny and transaxle for 
about $3000.  You don't need a $1500 transaxle.

One option: buy a rebuilt tranny.  Available thru AudiOnly (Denver)
800/962-1902, and possibly Blaufergnugen, 800/683-2834.  If you need 
to chat about it, call Blauf. at 414/683-2834.  That's their tech 
line and they'll be very patient with calls on that line.  Nice 
folks....located in Michigan.  

You may be able to buy a rebuilt for under $1000, but BE ADVISED: 
with the tranny as weak as yours is, you SHOULD replace the torque 
converter as well, because it probably has junk in it.  Do it right!  
But to drop the torque converter, the transaxle MUST come out.  
The tranny can be pulled alone, but the converter's on the opposite 
side of the transaxle and so the whole assy. must come out.  Bite the 
bullet and DO this.  Rebuilt torque converts are not that expensive, 
but leaving the old one in could knock out a rebuilt tranny fast!!!!!

Re-buildable: YES.  At least the 84-91 trannys are a straight VW 
unit, and can be rebuilt by any competent mechanics who knows VW 
trannys.   I had mine done by a very sharp gent locally for $1500.  I 
didn't like the bill, but the Audi dealer quoted me $1600 just for 
the pump and gear shell - plus no promise of how much higher the bill 
would be.  Screw them.  I saved about $1000 by having the tranny shop 
do it.  Do the torque converter too!

Junkyard: quite possible.  Since yours is fairly new, this is worth a 
look.  But again, do the torque converter.

One more comment:  When this thing goes back together, put synthetic 
ATF into it...preferably Amsoil.  This will really help dissipate 
heat better and extend the tranny life.  You and I only want to do 
this ONE time.  Also be aware - the transaxle must use *synthetic gear 
oil, and it should be slightly OVERfilled* (factory recommendation).  
The easiest place to do this is while on the repair bench, then 
re-install the assembly.  The lube level in the transaxle is quite
critical 
in Audis.

Holler back at me if you need more.   I fought this  battle and lost. 
 BTW - was there ANY record of this problem while under warranty?  
You have nothing to lose by having a run at Audi and asking them to 
cover it, especially if there were any tranny problemw under 
warranty.  The dealer can download and print out a list of any 
repairs done at any Audi dealer.  Check it out.


OK - now for the update:

I took "some" of Al's advice and had the tranny rebuilt.  I found a place
not too far from my house
who quoted me a re-build price of $1400.  I opted not to get the torque
converter done.  Big mistake.
Exactly one year to the day later, the transmission died all at once.  Al
advised that the torque
converter probably had junk in it.  Well it did - and that junk ended up
ruining the 1 year old
re-built transmission.  I then had the transmission re-built a second
time, and this time I had 
the torque converter replaced.  Total cost this time $2080.  So in one
year, I re-built the auto
tranny twice and the torque converter once for a total of $3480 (ouch!!).


Hope this helps.

Ken


Ken Gorman
Honeywell, Inc. - Industrial Automation and Control
1100 Virginia Drive - Mail Stop 105
Fort Washington, PA  19034
Phone (215) 641-3390    Fax (215) 641-3850
e-mail: Ken.Gorman@iac.honeywell.com