ATF Fluid/Filter Change @ 81K miles

**marklar182** · November 28th, 2010, 05:25

So is it a gamble, or good idea to change the ATF fluid and filter @ 81K Miles? I do not have any records of it ever being changed. I have all the OEM parts/fluid on hand, but am second guessing it.

I am reading conflicting info, some say bad idea, some say it is a good idea......

**V8weight** · November 28th, 2010, 05:38

I personally adhere to a rule of thumb not to change trans fluid beyond 60k, if it hasn't been done previously. That's just my opinion, hopefully TozoM8 will chime in.

**JSRS6** · November 28th, 2010, 14:24

+1. It seems that at this point in the game, if you do choose to go ahead with the flush, you should also remove the valve body and maybe have it rebuilt/cleaned. Otherwise you run a good risk of Sediment getting dislodged and mucking up your valve body.

**DHall1** · November 28th, 2010, 18:56

Let me throw this out there.

Do you know the type of driving the car had? Stop and go 80k or hwy commute 80k?

I would give it a shot but do a complete flush of fluid...lines and cooler flushed as well as TC.

Worst case you rebuild but then its fresh start. At 80k it could be on borrowed time anyways.

**speedtrapped** · November 28th, 2010, 19:04

damn sucker born every minute? I went and bought BND's ATF and was going to re[lace fluid? I know the tc has been replaced.

**marklar182** · November 28th, 2010, 19:32

Originally Posted by DHall1

Let me throw this out there.

Do you know the type of driving the car had? Stop and go 80k or hwy commute 80k?

I would give it a shot but do a complete flush of fluid...lines and cooler flushed as well as TC.

Worst case you rebuild but then its fresh start. At 80k it could be on borrowed time anyways.

Not sure of previous driving, but I would guess it was stop and go.

**DHall1** · November 28th, 2010, 21:16

I think you're good with a fluid and filter job with BND. Perfect actually.

Originally Posted by speedtrapped

damn sucker born every minute? I went and bought BND's ATF and was going to re[lace fluid? I know the tc has been replaced.

**DHall1** · November 28th, 2010, 21:18

I would PM Tozo on this one. Its a toss up to leave it in or go ahead and change it.

Originally Posted by marklar182

Not sure of previous driving, but I would guess it was stop and go.

**marklar182** · November 28th, 2010, 23:09

Originally Posted by DHall1

I would PM Tozo on this one. Its a toss up to leave it in or go ahead and change it.

Done. Linked him to the thread, so hopefully he will put in his $.02

**TozoM8** · November 29th, 2010, 00:42

Personally I don't like fluid changes on a high mileage car. However if your TC was replaced before they replaced the fluid too. Do you know how many miles you have on the new fluid? If you decide to do it I would stick with the same fluid as you had in there. I know OEM fluid is $$$ (it is cheaper at the VW dealer) I never use it. I've never used BND fluid either so I don't know how well it mixes with the one you have now.

**marklar182** · November 29th, 2010, 00:47

As far as I know (from Audi service records) my trans/TC have never been touched. I think I will hold off for now. I do have an EW on the car in the event the trans dies, I am just a big fan of preventative maintenance. It sounds like in this case it may cause more harm than good.

Any one need an OEM Filter, orings, drain plug, pan gasket, and 9L of Audi ATF?

**speedtrapped** · November 29th, 2010, 13:18

Tozo, I believe Tc was changed @ 40k miles, so 72k now....but I just found out that the dealer I bought the car from flushed fluids and replaced ATF /filter...sooo that said I have 2k miles on new fluid.....i guess if i want to try BND, might as well. already paid for. Ty Tozo

**DHall1** · November 29th, 2010, 14:01

If you have a new filter in the trans....you could just complete a couple of drain and refills with BND fluid. Just be sure to follow the proper refill procedure. Pat wrote up a thread on the trans fill procedure.

Originally Posted by speedtrapped

Tozo, I believe Tc was changed @ 40k miles, so 72k now....but I just found out that the dealer I bought the car from flushed fluids and replaced ATF /filter...sooo that said I have 2k miles on new fluid.....i guess if i want to try BND, might as well. already paid for. Ty Tozo

**Hy Octane** · November 29th, 2010, 18:52

Originally Posted by TozoM8

Personally I don't like fluid changes on a high mileage car. However if your TC was replaced before they replaced the fluid too. Do you know how many miles you have on the new fluid? If you decide to do it I would stick with the same fluid as you had in there. I know OEM fluid is $$$ (it is cheaper at the VW dealer) I never use it. I've never used BND fluid either so I don't know how well it mixes with the one you have now.

Well Tozo, what do you use then and why if I might inquire?

**TozoM8** · November 30th, 2010, 03:19

Schaeffer's synthetic ATF. It runs cooler than any other brand.

**marklar182** · November 30th, 2010, 20:23

Not to discount anyones experience/suggestions here (I value everyones input), but I contacted ZF NA regarding the fluid change specifically for an RS 6 with 81k, here is their input;

"....there has been a lot of discussion regarding oil change intervals for ZF products as well as the age old questions of inducing failure by changing fluids at higher mileage. "

"Yes we do recommend fluid and filter change at 100,000 miles for light driving and highway or as low as 60,000 for aggressive or frequent stop and go."

"After the vehicle is beyond the factory warranty the decision to service the transmission is yours and it can not be harmed by regular maintenance performed by a qualified technician using the correct ZF fluids and OE parts."

"Transmission fluid technology has changed as rapidly as other automotive technology over the years. Vehicles of the 70's and possibly eighties did suffer from oil changes at higher mileage. This was due to the oil allowing dirt to drop out and possibly more critical the oil causing rubber o-rings to harden over time. After servicing a transmission some clutch or fine metal deposits would have loosened just from removing the pan and filter assembly. These would then be free to enter the valve body or governor assemblies through their exhaust ports if they were not removed during service. Modern fluids and rubber compounds are much more stable and do not create the seal swell issues of days past. Modern fluids and their additive packages keep dirt in suspension allowing it to be caught in modern filters. Combine this with the introduction of electronics eliminating many mechanical assemblies making the transmissions less prone to suffer from stuck valves. "

**DHall1** · November 30th, 2010, 20:53

Good to hear ZF side of things. Its still a crap shoot.

I will do mine at 40k.

Originally Posted by DHall1

Let me throw this out there.

Do you know the type of driving the car had? Stop and go 80k or hwy commute 80k?

I would give it a shot but do a complete flush of fluid...lines and cooler flushed as well as TC.

Worst case you rebuild but then its fresh start. At 80k it could be on borrowed time anyways.

**marklar182** · November 30th, 2010, 21:15

I agree.

I wish I had full records on this beast

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