Oil and Filter service (5-speed)

Background

Changing the transmission fluid and filter is probably the MOST IMPORTANT service that you can perform on your A8. The transmission has metallic wear components. Once these wear, the filter clogs up and the oil is degraded over time. This starves the hydraulic pump of oil, especially on cold start ups and causes the pump to cavitate. This is the squealing noise that can be heard. This can cause long term damage to the transmission.

Audi states the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a lifetime fluid. This is not true. It is recommended to change the fluid and filter every 25,000 to 40,000 miles. This can save over $8,000 for a rebuilt transmission.

Preparation

Transmission nameplate location

Nameplate explanation

1. Transmission serial number
2. Transmission serial number
3. Transmission identification (all will be 5HP-24)
4. Code letters

Parts needed

• 01L-325-429-A Filter (see note below)
• 01L-325-443 Filter to Transmission Gasket/O-Ring
• 01L-321-371 Pan Gasket
• 01V-321-379 Fill Plug Sealing Washer
• G-052-162-A2 ATF Fluid (have 8-9 quarts on hand, you might use a little less), use ONLY Audi fluid

note

01L-325-429 is the filter part number for model year 1997 A8's that came with a type DPZ transmission with a serial number of 001891 or less.

01L-325-429-A is for all 1997 A8's with DPZ transmissions with serial numbers greater than 001892, DSM type transmissions and DTE transmissions. The DTE transmission was supplied on later 97's and all 98-03 A8's.

Tools needed

• Torx T-27 bit, it will have to be ground down
• Socketed Torx T-27
• Screwdriver type Torx T-25
• "L" shaped 17mm allen wrench
• Oil pump

Procedure

important

The car should be level for this procedure. If not, you can't properly fill the transmission. Put the car up on four jack stands if you don't have your own lift.

1. Open drain plug and let fluid drain

tip

Make sure you can loosen the two obstructed bolts before you drain the fluid described in the 2nd step

This is the transmission pan. The small bolt is the drain, the large one is the fill. The bolts are Torx bolts, size T-27.

The fill plug is a 17mm Allen. Make sure you can remove the fill plug before you open the drain plug. You don't want to drain the fluid, then find that you can't fill it! I tried using two 17mm nuts welded to a bolt with a 17mm head. No good. The fill plug took a lot of torque to loosen. I had to buy a 17mm L shaped allen for $9.00. I put a 2' pipe on the end and it came right out.

Be prepared for about 6-7 quarts to drain. Note that the Audi fluid is not red like every other transmission fluid. It's sort of yellowish green. Mine was in much better condition than I anticipated. It was still clear, not burnt and did not smell rancid or overheated.

I was surprised that when I removed the fill plug, a lot of fluid came pouring out. Fortunately I had the drain pan positioned. I learned that when the engine is running, a few quarts of fluid get sucked out of the pan into the transmission.

2. Remove transmission pan bolts and remove pan

Obstructed bolt locations are highlighted with the blue circle

Of course, nothing can be easy. Note that two bolts are obstructed by the catalytic converter. You could remove the exhaust, but that would be a real pain. Instead, buy a Torx T-27 bit, grind off about 1/4" off the back side. Lock it into a vise grips, and you can use that to loosen the two bolts. I also recommend you have a socketed T-27, and a screwdriver type T-25. You can use the T-25 to remove the two obstructed bolts. The smaller tool allows you a better angle into the bolt. Be careful to not damage the bolt head too much.

Ground down T-27 bit in vice grips. This will allow you to get the two hidden T-27 screws out without dropping the exhaust.

3. Remove filter (screen) bolts and remove old filter and install new filter

The filter is still bolted to the transmission with two bolts. Remove them and it comes down. Note that there is a rubber o ring on the output of the filter. Note that those two bolts are different than the trans-pan bolts (shallower head).

important

When installing new filter, make sure the filter to transmission gasket/o-ring is in place!

4. Install transmission pan

Clean pan, drain bolt installed, gasket placed. I use a dab of vaseline to hold the gasket in position until it can be bolted in place.

Position the pan and bolt it in with three bolts. Make sure the gasket is properly positioned and insert the rest of the bolts finger tight. Then use a cross type pattern to tighten each bolt to 7-9 ft. lbs. You won't be able to torque the two bolts above the catalytic converter, so just make those snug.

5. Add new fluid

info

This is the MOST CRITICAL part of this procedure. Now came the hard part, filling the fluid.

very important

The car must be at ambient (cool) temperature before filling the transmission! This requires the car to sit overnight to completely cool off.

1. Fill the pan with as much fluid as you can with the car off (until it starts flowing out of fill hole)
2. Start the car. Right away it will start taking more, give it about 20-30 seconds to start pumping fluid through the tranny
3. Keep filling until it overflows. Should be 2-3 more quarts (initial fill about 4 quarts)
4. Have somebody run through all the gears for 30 seconds each (with the brake on), when doing reverse, the fluid will flow out, let it, then go through N,D,4,3,2 30 seconds each. This is about 10-15 minutes into the fill after the car started
5. Let the car run another 2 minutes, then run it through all gears for 30 seconds again, do Reverse for a shorter time because it will squirt out
6. Keep filling so it has a slight overflow at all times

If you have the Ross-Tech software, monitor ATF fluid temperature on group number 4, under measuring blocks, transmission module. The temperature of the ATF fluid during this procedure should be 30-45 C. If the engine is operated for about 15 minutes from ambient temperature, it will reach somewhere around 45 C at the end of the 15 minutes. This is why the car must be cooled overnight. If you do not have the software, just ensure it was cooled overnight. It is not absolutely critical to measure ATF fluid temperature. However, you CANNOT do this if the transmission is not at ambient at the beginning of the fill.

You'll need a total of 8 quarts of ATF on hand, I would have 9 there in case you spill one...you just might.

BEFORE TURNING OFF THE CAR

Put the stand pipe plug in (fill plug). Turn off car. The procedure is complete. Test drive it for a few days, if anything does not sound correct, check level again. However, your transmission should be operating significantly smoother. There is no need to check the level again if there is nothing wrong with the transmission.

Source: www.audipages.com

Author: Barry Lenoble and Paul Waterloo