A4 1.8t auto trans atf fluid flush diy

[BlueBoostedAudi]

*disclaimer* I am not responsible for anything that you do. I did this to my own vehicle.
I have done over 200 trans flushes. I have never had a problem. I used to work at Valvoline and we had a trans flush machine. But I did not have one so I used what I had.
I would only recommend doing it this way if u have some kind of a pump...
What I used;
Bucket to catch used trans fluid in+ drain bucket for under the trans
17mm Allen + 8mm allen
Two fitting to hook up to the trans lines + hose
Mocal oil pump + hose
3 gallons maxlife atf (use what ever kind u want this is what I have used on most of all of the flushed that I have done except for a few times when I ordered special fluid for certain ppl cars.

First I drove car until it was at operating temp... backed it on the curb the drove it onto car ramps. It was level!
unplug the fill plug.
Unhook the trans lines and hooked up my fittings to the lines. One was coming from the trans I had this line pointed into a 5 gallon bucket
The other one I had going to my oil pump then in my gallon jug of new atf fluid.
Next I drained the oil pan then started the oil pump that is pushing fluid thru the radiator and into the pan and when I seen the new fluid draining out of the pan I put the drain plug back in and it started to fill the pan.
After the pan was full and started to drip out of the fill plug I had my buddy start the car. *make sure u have someone else pointing the other end of the hose coming out of the trans in a bucket or it will sprat everywhere*
So with the car running sucking up new fluid from the pan and pushing it into the bucket.
The mocal oil pump was pushing new fluid back into the pan. By this time I was already on my 3rd gallon and it started to turn pink going out of the other side into the bucket!!!! When I seen it was pink I new that the flush was Complete.
So I turned everything off and hooked the trans line back up (make sure u twist it the opposite way so it sits right when tightened up)
After that I put the oil pump hose into the fill plug on the bottom of the trans and had my buddy start the car
Then I started to fill the trans. It took almost 2 more quarts.
Then I had him slowly shift thru the gears
Next I double checked the level then put the fill plug back in.
Cleaned up and took it for drive!
Still shifts great and I know my fluid is bright pink and new!!!

[BlueBoostedAudi]

This is where I tapped into the trans line. I ran the line going to the radiator from the trans into a 5 gallon bucket and the oil pump from the new atf fluid to the line running into the the radiator.

[BlueBoostedAudi]

[BlueBoostedAudi]

This is one of the fittings I used to hook up to the trans line. You will need a female and male end with the barb on the other side so u can put a hose on it

[Willënskraft]

VCDS was not needed?

[16vCorey]

VCDS was not needed?

No, but to do it properly you do need a way to check the transmission temperature, whether it be VCDS, a scan tool, an infrared thermometer, etc.

[Ian1006]

How did OP measure temp? Did you measure temp or just fill until it came out? If you did that it is very unlikely it is filled to the proper level.

From my experience with vw/Audi they get to 35-40c quiet quickly. You can use vcds or torque pro or other like posted above

[rocket1420]

This may or may not be a good method to use to flush the fluid, but it is a terrible way to check the level.

The proper way to make sure the level is correct:
Key on.
Hook up VCDS. Go to measuring block 4 in the Transmission module. Don't continue until the fluid temp is below 35 degrees.
Start the car
Cycle the gears
Take out the fill plug
Monitor the ATF temperature on VCDS
The fluid should start to drip out of the fill plug at around 35 degrees. If it doesn't drip out at 40 degrees, you need more fluid.

You should use OEM equivalent fluid. Using a random fluid is a good way to ruin the transmission.

[16vCorey]

Exactly. Though I will say that the Valvoline Max Life is an OEM equivalent, so the OP should be alright as far as that's concerned.

[BlueBoostedAudi]

My vag com cable isn't working. Or I would have used it. So as I said I drove it to where it was at operating temp. When I get my RT cable working I will double check w the way you say rocket!
Also doing line flushes (like I did) the fluid gets up to temp before it gets to the trans. By running the new fluid thru the radiator first it heats up before going into trans. I have done all trans flushes like this. All of them I would wait for the fluid that is getting discharged to change color (more pink) new!
Max life is a full synthetic transmission fluid I would highly recommend this transmission fluid as I have personally seen this transmission fluid why every single vehicle I have ever put it in! Granted every vehicle I have ever put this fluid in has been compatible even one time I did a big thousand horsepower Dodge truck with the Cummins turbo diesel and the Allison Transmission. It was compatible the C4. The transmission fluid works great on all of the cars I've ever used it on. But then again even the special order CVT fluid transmission services I used to do I've had great results flushing them as well.
Even with me not measuring the he I have complete confidence in the work that I have done! I would recommend though if you can to check the temperature as stated above. I did measure the fluid that was totally taken out of the car and glad I had put in and it was like almost a quarter cord that I put extra in so I'm sure that the level can't be off that much if any but I would recommend doing it as stated above with it checking the temperature

[john_gonzo]

First I drove car until it was at operating temp...

I think driving the car until it is at operating temp would put the transmission at a higher temperature than is specified for checking/setting the transmission fluid level.

[tHatOne guY]

No filter change?

Or is there no filter present like some FWD Jap cars?

[Ian1006]

Driving the car to operating temp would probably put the temp around 80 celcius which is 170-180 Fahrenheit where as 40 Celsius is around 73 Fahrenheit.

With those ball park numbers you are probably 100 degrees over recommend which means the fluid is expanded and when it drained out of the fill and you capped it and then it cooled off you are probably underfilled. Last vw I did it heated up to 35 celcius in just a couple minutes of idling.

How OP did it is how many vehicles are done but not this Audi. Most transmissions now require temp at a certain temp to be measured correctly in a specified range.

- - - Updated - - -

There is a filter that you can drop the pan to get.

[rocket1420]

I think driving the car until it is at operating temp would put the transmission at a higher temperature than is specified for checking/setting the transmission fluid level.

It would. It goes to at least 50 degrees, but I haven't checked actual operating temp.

I don't care how many fluid changes you've done. It doesn't mean you did them right (or wrong). I don't know you personally, so I can't say. Even if you did it right, it doesn't mean that us DIYers are experienced enough to know when the transmission is properly filled. That's all I'm concerned about, is those of us trying to follow this.

That being said, I wish I had realized a flush was this easy. People on here have made it sound like you need specialized equipment. I just did a fluid change. I wish I had done this. Would've given me an excuse to buy a decent fluid transfer pump.

[BlueBoostedAudi]

Yes operating temp is higher than what it is supposed to be when I put the car on ramps. After I had it all set up the car had cooled down some.
Plus this is why you run it through the radiator first. It allows the fluid to get pre heated up before entering the transmission. This is what I was taught by val reps. But than again I did use a machine that as it takes a quart simultaneously put a cork back into the transmission but I have done some like this (with a oil pump) a few times when the machine was broke. Again I have never once had a problem doing it like this! I have seen transmissions that were slipping and I would flush the trans and the ppl would come back with donuts and pizza and one time I actually got a $50 tip!
Also I already had the oil pump laying around. I previously had a 96 Trans Am and was putting a rear turbo system on it and that is why I had the oil pump. But it is perfect for this. Amongst other fluid changing jobs like differential.

[peter1045]

Thank you for your posting, very informative. I have searched many forums for this detailed procedure and found none! I own a 2001 audi a6 2.8 automatic with triptronic transmission. I was hoping to ask you a few questions so l have sent you a message.
Thanks Peter

[Turbo510]

To add a few points/opinions;

To get the most old fluid out, drop the pan (and replace filter while you're at it), and tilt the car front-end up. More fluid will drain from the radiator cooler circuit and torque converter, and leave overnight. I loosen the fill plug first, since it is difficult without the pan being installed, and you should have a look at the O-rings.

Don't waste time measuring what comes out- a meaningless number anyway.

Smear some Vaseline on the filter's seal ring for installation; using just ATF never worked well for me.

When reinstalling the pan, I prefer to coat both sides of the gasket with Permatex gasket Silicone sealant. Never had a leak. There are 27 screws, so wrist-tighten every other one, and on the second pass around the pan perimeter, you'll have done all of them. I never torqued them, but that would be ideal I suppose.

Level the car so a carpenter's level on the door sill shows it is correct. Without running the engine, fill until overflowing. Then start, and continuing until overflow again.

When "going through all gears" as many suggest, that means in reality Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. Unless you rev the thing up on the stands, it will always be in First gear whether the shifter says D or 4 or 3...Stop the wheels before shifting from N to R or R to P or D. Don't be surprised if you get ABS shudder when applying the brakes while the four wheels turn in the air.

I keep adding fluid until the temp is over 30C (86F) and it dribbles out constantly. The pan will feel warm to the touch, but not hot, so put the fill plug in and shut the motor down.