1998 A4 1.8 T quattro. New Clutch/Flywheel last year.

I noticed yesterday when on the highway that RPMs are climbing rapidly when accelerating in 3rd and 4th gear (without speed change).

Like the clutch is slipping. Haven't notice in lower gears or 5th gear, but will drive again later today to find out more.

Since it does not seem to slip in 5th (but could also be that RPM in 5ths are too low to generate the engine torque to break loose the clutch?) it would not point towards a typical clutch slip?

What are potential other areas to look for?

Volker

 

What flywheel and clutch are you using?

 

how does it feel getting it into gear?

 

Same problem here, it's still the orginal clutch. No problem getting in and out of gear but if I hit the boost the rpm's fly up to like 5k. I'm planning to put a new clutch kit in, unless anyone thinks it could be a different problem I have 105,000 miles so I figured it's about time.

 

just FYI... clutch or flywheel DOES NOT hold the transmission in gear.

shifter detents in the transmission hold the shift forks in place.

bad shifter bushings can over ride these detents and force you trans out of gear.

 

Flywheel is OEM new, installed with new OEM clutch 8000 miles ago at 122k miles.

Volker

 

When cold (outside overnight, cold), it is difficult to shift into first and from 1st to 2nd. Disappears when engine is warm after longer driving.

When inside garage overnight, its ok.

Volker

 

Your clutch is definitely slipping, and it will only get worse.
Try the following test: put the car in first gear and set the emergency brake as far as you can. Now try to make the car move forward. If the engine stalls or if the car moves forward it means the clutch is holding (at least for now). If the engine revs up and the car does not more you definitely have a dead clutch.
Since the components are fairly new I would suspect oil contamination on the disc, coming from either the engine seal or transmission seal. Unfortunately you need to disassemble to find out...