New to the forum here.
I just picked up a 2000 A6 4.2 from an auction. The issue is that the car barely moves in Drive or any other forward gears. It does move fine in reverse. I have not checked the fluid level or anything else as i just got the car home last night. There is no engine codes.
Now, i have been fixing and working on my own cars for years, so pulling the tranmission out to get it rebuilt is no big beal for me. Is there anything else i can check first (other than the transmission fluid level) before tearing the transmission out. The car has 96K miles.
I owned a 97 Audi A4 quattro which was a fantastic car, that's the reason I bought this A6.

Thanks for any input.

JR

 

Click here, courtesy of blauparts.com!

 

Thanks for the link.
This was actually going to be my first thing I try, ordered the kit today. My main concern is that I wanted to make sure that these transmissions are not prone to failing with less than 100k miles on the clock. I guess I'm trying to get some re-issurance that these transmissions are pretty stout and not fall apart under factory power.

I appreciate all comments,
Thanks,
JR

 

JR,

Sorry, but the transmissions fall apart under stock power from the 4.2. However, it is usually one or two gears that go first, not the whole thing. Low fluid seems like a likely culprit here so you should first make sure that it is filled PROPERLY. I wouldn't go the whole flush route, just make sure it is full per the link. If that does not help, you need to take it to a shop and be prepared to spend some money.

Bob

 

Thanks for the input from all. I will put the car up on stands and check the trans fluid this week-end.

Take Care,

JR

 

Well, the feared has been found. My 4.2 transmission is toast. First thing I did was topped off the trans fluid following the proper procedure and added nearly a full quart. Still the car has no forward gears, just reverse. So put it back up on stands, drained all the fluid and pulled the transmission oil pan. Despite the one quart of new fluid added the fluid was nearly black, the car has 95K miles. I'm pretty sure it's the original fluid. The Transmission filter says August 2000 on it, so i'm pretty sure it's all original.

There was no metal or broken parts in the pan, just a thick layer of sludge on the magnets, see the pictures.

The issue that concerns me is that the plastic shelding that holds the Valve body wiring together was nearly melted off. This tells me that this transmission overheated severly.

Well, out she comes on the week-end and the looking for parts starts.

JR

 

Do a search as one of the board members did a write up on rebuilding the transmission. If you are feeling brave it looks like a doable DIY procedure.

Good luck and keep us informed!

Bob

 

if you dont want to replace the trans you could try something that may work and i have seen be successful time and time again. Put a new trans filter in it, fill up the fluid and add a seafoam 'trans tune' additive to the transmission. That stuff works great and could be a long term fix, I have seen it happen many many times. If you dont want to risk it, you could do this and then send it back through the auction because im sure it will make it at least move forward.

 

Thanks for the idea but the reason why I bought the car was because we need a second vehicle for my wife. I have been fixing all my cars for years so for me to do this is no problem, I have the garage space and time. I have also been fortunate to have have a couple friends that own repair shops, so i get all my parts at shop cost.
The biggest thing is the cost of the master rebuild kit and TC, that scares me.
I bought the car cheap enought that even with a freshly rebuilt tranny i'm still ahead.
The other side of it is, i really like working on cars and learning new things. I'd rather any day buy a $250 tool and do the job myself than spend that money on labour at a shop.

Thanks for all your input, i will have some "surgery" piuctures next week from taking the trans out on saturday.

JR

 

PLEASE, DO SO!
Rest assured that your effort will be invaluable as a source of knowledge, and appreciated by anyone who may find themselves in the same predicament at some point in time.

BTW, good luck.