A3 auto gear change problem

[Alex_A3]

Hi.
I have a 2005 Audi A3 2.0 FSI with tiptronic auto, which I have had from new, and now has 60,000 miles on the clock. It has caused me very little hassle but in the last couple of months it has developed the following problem:
After about 30 minutes of driving I get a significant ‘thud’ changing down through the gears, particularly from 5th to 4^th and from 4th to 3rd, but occasionally in others. When very bad it also delays very slightly and then ‘thuds’ into gear when going from from neutral to 1st. There are no warning lights, and no other symptoms of any kind. It is so bad you and your passengers think you must have hit something.
Audi (Wimbledon) investigated and found nothing wrong, and initially suggested a gearbox oil and filter change which they did. This generally made the gear changes smoother but had no effect on the problem. They now tell me all they can suggest is a glycol test followed by a new gear box for £4,500.
A search of the forums comes up with lots of similar sounding problems deriving from the Mechatronic unit, but as I’ve not got a DSG I thought I don’t have one.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks,
Alex

[mikey2012]

Did Audi do a scan on the car, if so did it come up with anything?

[Alex_A3]

Hi Mikey,
Well I had assumed so as they charged me £62 for doing something...
Looking at the invoice, they said "Investigated gearbox jolts/thuds ... " and "Checked Fault Memory, no faults in engine or gearbox".
Does this amount to a scan?
Cheers,
Alex

[mikey2012]

That sounds like a scan to me.

As for the glycol test it basicly checks for antifreeze (glycol) in the ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) This is ok but if I was doing the oil and filter change I would be looking at the old oil that was taken out to see for any contamination, when you add water(or antifreeze) to ATF it basicly turns milky in colour. I am a truck mechanic and with the recent weather we have had a lot of our trucks have driven through flood water and have had this problem.

Has all mounting bolts/bushes been checked for wear and loose bolts, i.e that the transmission is rocking as going into gear?

Also is the price of £4,500 just for the box or for pats and labour

[Alex_A3]

Hey Mikey,
To be fair, Audi didn't have any faith that the glycol test would resolve anything, but it was next on their rigid test sequence, and said it was something they would have to do anyway if they replaced the entire gear box.
I'm not aware that the mounting bolts and bushes have been checked - but if they were loose or worn wouldn't this manifest all of the time? On my drive to work I can predict exactly when the first instance will occur, it is always after 30 mins / 8 miles as I slow down on a slip road coming to a particular roundabout. I am assuming that means that something, somewhere is coming to a critical temperature.
The £4,500 was a verbal quote, but I believe it was full cost including parts and labour. The reason I'm asking the question here is that Audi would only replace the whole unit, but I'm hoping if I can isolate the specific component an independent garage may replace just that. But I'd like to go to the garage with half an idea as to what I'm talking about...
Cheers, and happy new year,
Alex

[NHN]

You ideally need the mechatronic basic setting calibration done, if they did filter/oil, they should have done this anyway, but dont bet on it always, you need vcds & someone to do the following:

6-Speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG/02E) - Ross-Tech Wiki

Its normal during test to make clonking noises, once done, do test drive as stated, then test for week see if it continues, then mechatronic would be your next call tbh as these are known very well for issues, gearboxes not so well known for problems.

[Alex_A3]

Hi NHN,
Thanks for your advice (although note that your link goes to a blank page with the words "There is currently no text in this page"), but just to be clear - my A3 was sold as a Tiptronic rather than a DSG. I therefore wasn't sure whether I even had a mechatronic unit. Is a Tiptronic in fact the same as a DSG?
Still confused...
Cheers,
Alex.

[NHN]

Ok try again, corrected link, something up with VB so maybe formatted the link wrong.

Yes check the link but should be same format for your car.