forum.audiv8.com Foren English Audi V8 Forum Too much oil in transmission! :(

Ello everybody.

I think i might have too much oil in my automatic transmission, last owner propably filled in too much?

Is it dangerous?

When its hot and the car is running and is on P, the oil level on the dipstick is like this:


-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Oil is here
-
-
-
- Max
-
-
- Min

Its been driven like this for atleast 30 000 km


Best way to get rid of the extra oil is to open the screw under oil pan, as if changing the motor oil, and then fill in the correct amount? I should lose about 2 litres of oil when i open the pan bolt, but anyone know how much in oil the transmission dipstick between min-max is?

I dont have to tools to remove oil from the dipstick hole, and im not really into opening the whole oil pan as id have to work on the exhaust to do that. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Hello,
If you are really convinced, there is too much oil in your gearbox, proceed as follows.
Get yourself one meter of ,preferebly transparent, plastic hose with a one cm (outside-)diameter, and a plastic syringe, that you can press onto the hose. (syringes are available at your local pharmacy)
Push the hose into the dipstick hole, and stick the syringe on. Now gradually pull the oil out untill your level is OK. I suggest to put the oil in a clean pot or container, so you can put some back in case you took out too much.
This is the way I did it, following a tip from another Forum member, and it is really easy. I took out almost one Liter, after the previous owner had done 10.000 KM since the oil change, executed by an official Audi dealer !!
Important : Take the excess OUT ! But be sure you follow the correct ATF-contol procedure !
Regards, Eric

Thanks for the advice!

I however already did it the hard way, unpatient me!

I took off the bolt under the gearbox, and i got MUCH oil out, i actually made the whole floor oily as my container couldnt take the oil as fast as it was coming, oh well..

then put the bolt back in and added 2 liters and took it for a ride, level didnt reach the stick yet, added 3rd litre and the oil level was barely touching the stick and added one more so at 4 liters the level was exactly where i wanted it, 40% between min and max when its hot and level.

ill keep checking the oil level for few days to make sure its allright, and i make sure i check it every time it comes from filter change from the audi garage, and i think it is time for a filter & oil change as the transmission "oil" was more like "dark water".

Hello,
Anyway, it is done !
Yes, I think you are in for an ATF change, because the oil should be clear red, and not brown or like dark water.
And, as far as I know, 30.000 Km means it is time for an ATF change anyway, probably including the filter or sieve.
Several members here already had malfunction symptoms from the gearbox, and in quite a few cases these were due to wrong oil levels, dirty ATF and/or sieves.
Regards, Eric

Hi,

periodical ATF change is not requested in any Audi maintenance manual - unfortunately! To make an automatic gearbox has an optimum lifetime, it is most important, to change the ATF and it´s filter(s) or strainers assiduously and periodically. And you must never refill old ATF!

ATF strainer changes are not discribed in Audi manuals. Only ATF change, checking and adding the oil level are mentioned.
ATF is available at many distributors. Oil strainers are not available at Audi dealers and must be procured at special services (for example at specialists in gearbox overhaul). A new seal for the oil pan is needed as well.

I have been driving a several cars (of different brands) with automatic gearbox and I have changed oil and filters generally every 40000 kilometers. Only on my Citroen XM V6 automatic I have changed the ATF every 10000 kilometers (at every enigine oil change), because this gearbox is well known for a lifetime of less than 150000 kilometers. On my citroen, the gearbox has been working for nearly 400000 kilometers without making any trouble.

As the maintenance conditions of the at-gearbox are indefinite or known bad, I would proceed like this:

Change ATF and oil strainer. Drive for about 1000-3000 kilometers and change the ATF again. This is good for rinsening the system, because a few liters of ATF allways remain in the torque converter so, that you can never drain the complete oil content.

On the V8 the filling quantity is about 3 liters ATF (without strainer) after draining the ATF at the drain plug.
The difference on the dipstick between maximum an minimum is 0,6L

Hello Tim,
The 30.000 Km ATF change interval I found on the 2 "Inspection Service" sheets included in the RLF (in english : Workshop service manual). And you are right, nothing is said about the strainer/sieve. However, on these very sheets two different gearboxes are mentioned, with different oil change intervals of 30.000 and 60.000 Km respectively. The gearboxes have codes "Audi V8 018" and "01L/01V". What is the difference ?
Regards, Eric

By the way, It would be a good idea to fill out your profile. Next time you may have a more carspecific problem, and then you will get more reactions. You may even have a V8 owner living near you.
Regards, Eric

Hi Eric,
you are absolutly right. The ATF-change interval is indeed mentioned in the service sheet. I just didn´t read it before your advice.

And I also don´t know the difference between the gearbox appellations in this service sheet. I only know the specifiction letters like AKD, AYU and so on.

But, as you observe, no mention is made of changing the strainer, and that is an omission by VAG.
Regards, Eric

Here's the story in pictures, when I was changing an ATF in my car year ago, I suceeded to drain a more than 6 liter because of removing valve body and draining ATF from an oil cooler.
Good luck!
http://audi.aitisfera.lt/index.php?topic=2610.0