DSG Woes (leak)

[rj124104]

Hey guys, I recently bought a 2011 B8 S5. I was having the car detailed in a climate controlled garage the last couple days and today was super hot, took it out, then something let go in the transmission and fluid started spewing out leaving a trail and the light came on. The car was put in neutral and coasted to park. I got it towed and am going to have to look into it tomorrow. (I mention the temperature shift since that may have played a role)

Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences etc on what to look for? The fluid was all gathered near the power steering rack and some ran into the protective layers underneath.

My first thought was a cooling hose. I'm not sure what's rubber or what specific fail points there are on the system. Even a little direction would be a big help. I spent the remainder of the night googling to try to find anyone that had this happen or even an audi parts diagram (found it , not helpful, and there are 3 of the same part for each line with different part numbers).

Also, how likely is it the transmission to be toast now? My thought is the light probably has a decent margin of safety built into it so that it comes on moderately early. The leak did let a moderate amount of fluid out (not liters or anything but enough that you would go yep there was a problem here) so I'm assuming the transmission still had/has some fluid to give.

Again, anything is a big help before I start in tomorrow.

Thanks

[theweebabyseamus]

What happened that makes you think something let go in the transmission?

[rj124104]

Fluid

[LYKUNO]

The 2011 S4 has a transmission cooler in front of the radiator. You can see two lines going to it (on the right side of the pic) here:



What exactly were you doing when you heard/felt something and presumably the DSG warning light/message came on? Be more descriptive if you are seeking help here.

[rj124104]

I was not driving at the time. It appeared it had been leaking a bit down the road and just reached a critical point when the light came on. The front cooler is too far up from where the fluid collected. I’m not sure if the hose has a connection or a rubber component near the steering rack but that appears to be near the source of the leak.

[LYKUNO]

The plastic underbody shield/pan could allow fluids to drain towards the rear of the car. What light came on? Was there a message saying it was the DSG? Since you were not driving at the time, and apparently were not even in the car, what was the driver doing at the time of the failure? Was the car's launch control being used? Was the driver working for the detailing shop? Where did you have the car towed, e.g., to an Audi dealer in indy shop with Audi expertise?

Have you (or anyone else) scanned the car with VCDS for codes? The more details you can provide about this event, the more likely it is that someone here on AZ can offer helpful advice.

[awwturbo]

You mentioned that it's a 2011 S5. Is it a convertible or a coupe? If it's a coupe it has a 6spd auto/tip. not a DSG. Either way, loss of fluid isn't good and as long as you didn't run it anymore than you needed to, you're fine.

[rj124104]

It’s a convertible. I’m under it now and it looks like most build up is back toward the transmission front of the transmission. I towed it to my house. The car had Just gotten off the highway but it sounds like the leak had maybe started a tiny bit before. It was just spirited highway driving, no launch control or anything crazy. I’m going to drain the transmission now to see what comes out in the hopes of easing my mind a little. I’m going to take off the suspension goodies under it then and see if I can get a better look. Thanks those of you offering help.

[theweebabyseamus]

The plastic underbody shield/pan could allow fluids to drain towards the rear of the car. What light came on? Was there a message saying it was the DSG? Since you were not driving at the time, and apparently were not even in the car, what was the driver doing at the time of the failure? Was the car's launch control being used? Was the driver working for the detailing shop? Where did you have the car towed, e.g., to an Audi dealer in indy shop with Audi expertise?

Have you (or anyone else) scanned the car with VCDS for codes? The more details you can provide about this event, the more likely it is that someone here on AZ can offer helpful advice.

+1, This is kind of what I was getting it. How do you know it was trans related in the first place? Theres a lot of fluids up there that can leak and the source without being under the car is harder to pinpoint.

[rj124104]

I know what DSG smells like so I knew it was DSG before I got under it where it came from. I have now drained the transmission and it wasn't dry, but definintely lost quite a bit.

[rj124104]

After a day of working on the car seems I've narrowed it down. Apparently the DSG filter housing cracked. Almost all the fluid that had blown around was on the driver's side. The crack isn't visible to the eye but appears to be around the hex head on it. The stealership that had serviced it previously torqued the hell out of it and it took probably 30-40ft/lbs to break free. While I was at it I changed the transmission filters and obviously the pan gasket. The gasket appears to have been leaking for some time although not terribly (there was a TSB about this and I already had everything to do it that was just delivered days before). If you end up doing your transmission filter (internal) for the love of all that is holy buy some M6x20 stainless bolts (don't waste your time/money on OEM) and save yourself an enormous headache. With a torque wrench to 10NM the shit bolts break off like butter, pro-tip reverse or "left handed" drill bits saved the day , it had broken off real deep and came out without much trouble. Anyhow, filter housing on order... i'll check it again but between the two it should be ready to go.

[theweebabyseamus]

Well that's a bummer. You gonna fill and run for a little bit and change to a new filter?