Hi Guys,
I had my 2007 2.0T A4 for 3.4 years now, this past winter I noticed it leaked oil when the car sat in the cold for a day. I keep it garaged, and when I go to work it sits out in the cold for a day or so, I then start it up, let it warm up for 10-15mins then driver it home. I notice an oil burning smell when I driver it, I then park it and notice oil dripping down. To me it looked like it was coming from between the back part of the engine and the tranny. After several long trips back and forth to my dealer, they said it was tranny fluid and that they replaced a seal around the tube that release's the pressure and they said that the fluid was about 1/2 qt. more than there should have been in it, the car only has about 30,000 miles. They said that they talked to Audi USA and Audi claimed this is normal behavior because in cold weather the oil is thicker and builds up more pressure. It sounded logical but also a load of crap. My car did not do this the last 3 winters I had it. They gave me a couple of loaner cars on a couple of different occasions, and they kind of did the same thing but nowhere near as bad as mine. The dealer also said they put in the correct amount of fluid. My A4 still has this problem, but only seems to when it's cold. I figured it was a seal, but what do I know I'm just a driver.
Does anyone know of this problem? Is it really normal? Is the dealer blowing smoke up my butt because the car was still under warranty and wouldn't be making any money fixing the real issue?(yes I'm a bit paranoid) Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

If its leaking oil enough to drop on the ground, it NEEDS to be fixed and I think thats bull for audi to not fix it specially since its so new and still under warranty. I'd bug them until they fix it. If it has a very slow leak, 2 years from now that tranny will be empty and possible seize up.

How long between tranny fluid changes on the a4? I know the a6 says its lifetime fluid and SHOULD never have to be changed, is that the same with the a4?

 

Double post

 

All it says in the A4 Maint. book. is check for leaks, nothing about changing the oil. They claimed there was I think 2 qts in the tiptronic and only calls for 1.5 qts. I find this hard to believe coming from the factory like this. I wonder if it has anything to do with the oil being so thick and cold that there is too much pressure so it expels out of the over pressure tube...? If so I don't know why it didn't do it in the last 3 winters had it. When it's above ~40-45 degrees it does not leak. When it's in the 20's and the car sits for the day it definitely leaks. And this is why I'm contemplating trading the A4 in...

 

I took my 2006 Audi A4 multitronic with 122k to Prescott, AZ. Temperature was in the low 20's. When I returned home, I noticed there was wetness under the transmission between the 2 belly covers and a small puddle on the ground. I believe the cold temperature did something to the seals. I am hoping the weather will warm up and seal the transmission again. So far I haven't experienced any driving issues. However, I wish there was a good way to check how low my transmission fluid is. Will the ECU flash a warning when it gets low?

Thanks.