My '88 80 automatic transmission is starting to give me some grief. When starting from cold it won't change out of first gear immediately, I'm not sure if its due to the ATF heating up, or something to do with ATF displacement. I'm sure its got something to do with the ATF though as when I got the car the amount of ATF in it was very low (it didn't have the gear shift problem) so I filled her up, which to my horror revealed a nasty leak and the gear change problem. I thought the gear change problem was due to to little ATF caused by the leak, so I added more which solved the problem for a while but it has since come back. I've just checked the ATF level and found that I've got too much in there - I guess I must of miss read the dip stick first time around. Should I drain the ATF by just pulling the sump out, or is there a better way? Would the extra ATF cause my gear shift problems?

 

When it comes to the Audi's AT they are notorious leakers. How did you check the level? The engine and transmission should be fully warmed up, idling and in park. Too much ATF will cause the oil to foam, too little and you get oil starvation. Once your AT is leaking there is little you can do but have it rebuilt and forget about additives like "stop leak" they are waste of money.

 

Thanks for the tips on ATF level checking, I just went out and yep - it's way to high. what happens if the oil foams?

 

When the oil foams it becomes like a sponge and becomes difficult t compress. This causes havoc with the valve body. Think of it like drinking foam after pouring beer or Coke into a glass.

 

Right, well I guess I had better drain some ATF. Is the best way to do that just to pull the pan out from underneath or is there another way?

 

You could try siphoning some fluid out though the dipstick tube but its going to be a l-o-n-g and s-l-o-w process. Dumping it through the pan is going to be much quicker, but you run the risk of tearing the gasket. While you are at check the differential fluid level and don't delay it as you transmission could die a sudden and violent death. Like mine did!