I have a 2000 A6 4.2 with 64,000 miles. I noticed transmission fluid in the driveway. The car is going into the shop in a couple of days. Should I have it towed into the shop? (The car has been behaving normally with no signs of problems prior to discovering the leak.) If it helps, the car is leaking from the front driver side area. Or am I risking a larger repair by driving it? Thank you.

 

output shaft seal has failed....this is common on the 4.2....I wouldn't drive the car...

 

Thank you for the info. Any idea of the cost of repair?

 

I haven't fixed my transmission yet because I dont have any leaks. All I have is shuttering and hard shifts/missed shifts at this point. I am under warranty and am trying to get the dealer to engage the issue. It goes back in on Thursday. I would take it to a independent shop if I were you for the fix because the dealer will charge you too much. I've read a lot about these tranmissions in the 4.2 and they are problematic at best. My mechanic assured me it would fail before 80k. He replaces them all day long for his clients. Shitty design ig you ask me. If your out of warranty it would also be in your best interest to have the tranny flushed, filter changed, and fluid replaced. That will cost you arouond $250-300 at a good European Indy. As for the seal, I am not sure...But this is a common failure point as well.

 

My understanding that it's a very common problem on our cars, I have the minor leaks at the moment both from thetransmission seal and rear differential seal- he recommended to do everything at once because you'll need to remove exhaust and shaft in any case.
His quote is $700 for parts & job.

Hope it will help.

 

Bringing this thread back to life! lol, prbayha, I had similiar problems that you described with your trans. Turns out it was the transmission valve body. After this $1500 part was replaced (under warranty, thankfully!) I noticed all those wierd trans actions seemed to dissapear. Heres a link to the post https://www.audiforums.com/m_444281/tm.htm. Feel free to shoot any questions over, Ill try my best to answer.

 

How did you get your dealer to recognize the valve body issue? Did you have to reproduce the issue? Does it drive a ton better now? Did you flush the tranny and replace oil/filter too? Sorry for the 20 questions, but I've basically had enough with this tranny BS

 

Not a problem at all . I took it into them with complaints of very rough up and downshifts from first to second. I didnt have to reproduce the issue, i think the mechanic might have been able to but he told me from what i described it was the valve body and that its a common problems with audi trans, so he told me thats what he usually starts with. Im not sure if they replaced the filter, but I was charged for 7 quarts of audi ATF, so I know they at least replaced my fluid. This whole process made a hell of a difference. The trans shifts very smooth and is a lot more precise than it use to be. I would definately have them check your valve body, but be warned as I told you, its a $1400 part (warranty should cover it, mine did). Hope this helps....

 

Yeah thanks...I will bring it up with my mechanic at the dealer. Sounds like I am having the same issue as you describe.