Looking for some info on a potential buy. 2001 A6 4.2

[Arsenal2012]

Im in San Antonio and was considering purchasing this car, it looks like it will need the oil cooler.
The peculiar thing about it though is the owner said it won't go in gear because the electronic control trans box under the seat got wet. He said he switched the box and it needs to be programed but I was under the impression that if the box was good it would be plug and play.
Can anyone confirm exactly what i may need or exactly what is going on?

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/5500900642.html

[Arsenal2012]

So what im reading it seems it may be the harnes that goes to the tcm or the tcm and codes need to be cleared after you install the new tcm, is that correct?

[AudiTechS4]

i bet the trans went out

[Kaane]

Stay away. I would not pay more than $500 for a car like that. High mileage, possible blown head gasket, bad transmission..

[Arsenal2012]

Stay away. I would not pay more than $500 for a car like that. High mileage, possible blown head gasket, bad transmission..

I thought possibly a blown head gasket as well but it seems the oil cooler is most common. I wasnt really considering a bad trans since he said the tcm got wet but that is always possible.

[Kaane]

And you believe him? lol!

[Arsenal2012]

And you believe him? lol!

Yeah well I have not even seen the car. Obviously i would look at it first geez what a smartass. Thanks for the input

[rollerton]

Audi. Starts and runs but water is mixed with the oil in expansion tank and need transmission computer program

You DID READ THAT right? Oil cooler problem doesn't mix oil with water on the 4.2. ..it's a whole different contraption, it just drips a little from a bad seal. It's very remotely possible that the TCU went bad. On a scale I'd say 87% probability trans is toast. About 10% chance the TCU needs adapting / coding. 3% chance something else.
So assume engine = toast
trans = toast

How much is it worth to you now? That car doesn't even have $500 worth of parts on it.

[Arsenal2012]

You DID READ THAT right? Oil cooler problem doesn't mix oil with water on the 4.2. ..it's a whole different contraption, it just drips a little from a bad seal. It's very remotely possible that the TCU went bad. On a scale I'd say 87% probability trans is toast. About 10% chance the TCU needs adapting / coding. 3% chance something else.
So assume engine = toast
trans = toast

How much is it worth to you now? That car doesn't even have $500 worth of parts on it.

Thanks for the input, see I know nothing of the 4.2, im going off what I have read.
So im gathering the concensus is blown head gasket and bad trans.