A4 1998 2.4 Tiptronic. This forum is already an old friend and I have learnt a lot about the cars we love. My first question relates to the first hint of trouble I've encountered. I can hear a faint turbine-like whine in fifth gear around 2k RPM.No lower and no higher.It doesn't happen at the same RPM in other gears. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I would appreciate your opinions.Thanks.

 

its quite normal mate most automatics/tiptronic and manual shiftdo it but you can get some slick 50 which is full synthetic which reduces the wear on the gearbox and makes it last longer also quietens it down a lot, other stuff available is Molly slip

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=slick+50

 

If your car is that old, I'd suggest some basic maintenance, such as replaing the tranny fluid and filter and differential gear oil (all three differentials if you are quattro). I know the transmission is a "sealed unit", with "lifetime" fluid, but everything leaks and breaks down slowly, or accumulates metal filings.

While you are at it, when was the last time you changed your power steering fluid with fresh Pentosin 11S? Buy a can and get a turkey baster and suck out the dirty stuff in the reservoir and replace with some fresh. Your power steering pump will love you.

Brakes are recommended to be bled every 2-3 years. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and beside the possibility of boiling, the moisture can cause rust in your calipers.

 

Thank you all. Glad to hear it's a common problem.Will certainly follow up on your advice.Happy driving...