2.0T vibes worse when cold?

[texadelphia]

I've done enough searching to know that vibrations at idle are part and parcel for the 2.0T with Tiptronic and that sometimes engine mounts help and that you can also increase your idle speed. I was just wondering if anyone noticed that the vibrations are worse when the engine is cold and get better as it warms up. It's not a super distinct difference, just a little less harsh after 5-10 minutes of driving. Just trying to decide if my vibes are "normal" or if I should be trying to trace other causes. I know my engine mounts are bad so I'm hoping it will help once I get those replaced, I just don't have the money or time to get them done just yet.

[Audibot]

My startup vibes weren't as bad on initial startup in cold b/c the raised idle for the secondary air injection. Once it got back into normal range but before it was warmed up, they were more severe.

I've got a pair of OE tiptronic engine mounts with approximately 35k miles on them; PM and we can probably work a deal.

[Charles.waite]

I’ve also got a set of manual engine mounts but they’re not ideal as you’d still need to get an error canceler since the tiptronics have an active mount on the drivers side.

One thing you might want to budget for, which will help the vibrations, is a transmission fluid flush and a new filter. Way back when (2010 I think) I had a tiptronic b7 and it vibrated pretty heavily at idle in gear (was nice and smooth in N or P though) I planned on doing a trans fluid flush but pricing then was extortionate on fluids ($80/L or something absurd, and you need 7L). Needless to say I never did it. Prices are VERY reasonable nowadays and is highly recommend it. ZF says service the trans every 50-80k miles. Audi says the fluid is “lifetime” which is horseshit.

I just replaced the trans filter and fluid on my wife’s Q5 (8-speed ZF trans) and even at just 65k miles, the difference is night and day. Idle vibrations are reduced (though that wasn’t a problem before, it’s just even smoother now) and every last shred of harsh shifting is totally gone. It drives incredibly smooth now and shifts very quickly. Given our engines themselves run quite smooth due to the balance shafts, most of these vibrations are due to the transmission. New mounts and new fluids in the trans and I’d wager it will drive much much better and kill the majority of the vibrations.

[DownhillA4]

Charles, I agree doing a transmission fluid flush is super smart and definitely shifts better, smooth, less rpm fluctuations but it does not seemed to have helped in the idle vibrations. I've got a car with 180k on it, motor mounts were both shot and did the trans service at 165k and just re-flushed again at 179k. Even with new Motor Mounts, new snub mount, fresh transmission fluid.... idle in "P" is still super annoying on my tiptronic car.

Worse than my tiptronic B6.

Only option left i'm thinking is new transmission mounts?

[texadelphia]

I've noticed the same thing...when first started and idle is high no vibes. Once the engine kicks down to about 700 rpm the vibes start and get better as the engine warms.

Thanks for the offers for mounts guys but I'll likely be having my shop do the mounts and I don't think they'll install parts I supply.

Also, thanks for the guidance on the transmission fluid change. Did you use Audi fluid or something else?

[Charles.waite]

Don’t buy the Audi stuff. Get the ZF branded Lifeguard 6. It’s less than half the price and is the same fluid.

[texadelphia]

Looks like it's all $29/liter from ECS.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Drivetrain/Automatic_Transmission/Fluid/

[Charles.waite]

I ordered my Lifeguard 8 for my b8 from FCPEuro. It was a tad cheaper and the filter kit was Meyle instead of OE and was 1/3 the price.

Edit: LF8 at FCP: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/lifeguard-8-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-liter-s67109031201

[Audibot]

I ordered my Lifeguard 8 for my b8 from FCPEuro. It was a tad cheaper and the filter kit was Meyle instead of OE and was 1/3 the price.

Edit: LF8 at FCP: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/lifeguard-8-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-liter-s67109031201



I had bad luck with LG8 the last time I tried to do a drain and fill on the trans. Was shifting clunky, slipping, among other things. When it was drained again, it was very watery in consistency. Had the whole trans drained and filled several times with Redline D4 and it was great afterwards.

TL;DR: I don't care what ZF says, I'd get LG6 instead of LG8 and not mix the two.



Another thing, OP: If you've replaced any of the OE mounts with aftermarket "sportier" mounts, you'll get vibes. Whether it's engine mounts, snub mount (in particular, stay OE), or trans/rear diff mounts.

[Charles.waite]

There are a lot of possible factors involved in the procedure. Not saying you did it wrong but it’s a possibility.

And frankly, I’m much more inclined to trust the manufacturer of the highly complex machine than I am a random poster on the internet, no offense. Just saying, they’ve tested LF8 and spec it for the 6hp19 trans in the b7.

Redline D6 works as well, but ZF doesn’t make up shit they put in compatibility charts.

[Audibot]

There are a lot of possible factors involved in the procedure. Not saying you did it wrong but it’s a possibility.

And frankly, I’m much more inclined to trust the manufacturer of the highly complex machine than I am a random poster on the internet, no offense. Just saying, they’ve tested LF8 and spec it for the 6hp19 trans in the b7.

Redline D6 works as well, but ZF doesn’t make up shit they put in compatibility charts.



Sorry I'm some "random poster" versus being super well-known like you, Charles! /end sarcasm

Nah, not really offended. Just sharing the experience I had myself. Gonna be more interesting when my 8-speed gets its trans fluid changed.

I did it right when the fluid was first changed, because I sat there and did it myself. 2nd time around, I had a shop do it because I lost access to the garage I had done it the first time and thus had no place to safely do it. I don't think they did it incorrectly because because I was peaking in and out, and answered some questions, but I didn't supervise the whole thing, so who knows. Just know it was slipping and jerky, and when it was drained, it was way too watery. Maybe some bad fluid, but idk.

YMMV

[Charles.waite]

Could be? Who knows. And yea I really wasn’t trying to be an asshole, but it did sorta come out that way, haha.

I do know that replacing the original fluid and filter in my 65k mile 8-speed Q5 made a night and day difference in the transmission behavior.

So whatever fluid you use, just make sure it’s compatible and you follow the proper procedure and you should have positive results.

[Audibot]

Could be? Who knows. And yea I really wasn’t trying to be an asshole, but it did sorta come out that way, haha.

I do know that replacing the original fluid and filter in my 65k mile 8-speed Q5 made a night and day difference in the transmission behavior.

So whatever fluid you use, just make sure it’s compatible and you follow the proper procedure and you should have positive results.


No worries. Agree 100%. I haven't quite hit 40k in the TDI yet, but that's probably one of the first things I'll do after the initial warranty runs out. So sometime next year. Along with a downpipe and tune.

[texadelphia]

This is an interesting conversation. I know that my mounts are original and the shop told me they were shot when I was in there for some other work recently. But now I'm curious how much the fluid change might help too. I know it's likely original to the car and has 117k on it. But now what fluid to use?

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