Well I have a 01 Formula, A4, and ever since new the trans had a slight burnt smell to it.

The fluid level has always been correct, if the dipstick is right anyway. I just checked it the other day, and the fluid has a horrid burnt smell to it-WTF... I havent beat on the car, get on it a little on the street, and only made 5 runs at the track.

But when the car is cold, I get on the freeway and it shakes like a mother, the whole car shakes for about 10 miles, then it goes away, and drives like it is supposed to??? Almost seems like a torque converter problem?? The rotors arent warped, the lugs are torqued to 100ft lbs, tires are balanced?? The streeing wheel shakes back and fourth in my hand so bad,it is almost hard to hang onto??

The rear is pretty noisy, clunks, and a rattle from the passenger rear..

Well it only has 3000 miles, and I will probably take it in next week to have the dealer look at it(cringe)!!

Any opinions or experiences would be appreciated, Thanks, Mike...

 

My car's steering wheel does shake alittle, mainly because the car likes to follow the grooves in the road and the roads are pretty worn around here. I have that click-click sound when I put it in gear sometimes but that is common. (someone said that changing the drive shaft will fix that) I also have a light wine if I pull it in first and leave it there to about 25-30 (road race) of course my `99 silverado, my dad's 95 truck and moms car does that too. As far as a vibration, no I haven't had that problem so I can't give any insight there.

You say it goes away after it warms up? I wouldn't think it would be a torque converter out of bablance if it goes away, but anything's possible. Could be the U-joints too. Hopefully it's nothing major.

good luck. <img src="images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">

[ December 10, 2001: Message edited by: Kdubroc 99 SS ]</p>

 

I just dont understand how the trans could have the HORRID burnt smell since the dipstick says it is OK!!! I wonder what could be causing this trans to FRY itself???? I dont beat on the car, and with 3000 miles-I dont know??

 

I would do a pan dump and see what is in the bottom of the pan. Might have a piston sticking causing your clutches to burn up.... at 3000 miles, you should only have a few metal shavings in the pan along with a light break in substance from the clutches.

[ December 11, 2001: Message edited by: Steve Underwood ]</p>

 

I think I want the dealer to see all the crap in the pan, so they can just rebuild or put an new one in.. I am sure they will think I am hammering the car, with only 3000 miles??

I just need some ideas before I confront the dealer on this one... So they cant give me a line of B.S. I am a stick guy, but bought the A4 after reading all the slave/clutch/pushrod problems with the M6.. Maybe I should have went M6 afterall.. Dosent look like the A4 is all that strong.

Some times it seems like the car has a boat anchor behind it, or lazy shifts, locking/unlocking???

 

Sorry to hear you are having all these problems with your '01 A4. I have a '01 Z28 A4 with only 2300 miles on it and haven't experienced any problems. All cars are different though. I would take it to the dealer and tell them all the problems you are experiencing and don't let them BS you in any way. That car is still under warranty and what ever is wrong should be fixed at little or no cost to you. BTW, you don't have any major mods that would void your warranty do you?

 

Nope, no major mods!! Just lid, catabck and FTRA that I just put on... That is why I cant believe the trans is toast??? Anyone else ever have this problem?? Thanks for the replies!!

 

Get to the dealer. I would have already been camped on their doorstep. Burnt fluid doesn't have to mean you lost fluid, btw.
Good luck.

 

I will!! As soon as I take the FTRA and lid off, I just ordered a stock lower airbox(from the net), and new air filter tray-so they cant say 1 word about any mods!!! Thanks for all the replies!!

 

I can't help you with the tranny problems, but I do have some similar noises, although not as bad, coming from my rear. I get a light clicking noise from the passenger side, especially when I'm turning. I also have an 01 Formula A4. I took it into the dealer yesterday. They told me I have to bring it back and give it to them for the whole day so they can replace the rear. My rear has been noisy since the day I picked it up. Good luck getting everything fixed.

 

BFormula-so they are going to replace the whole rear, instead of just rebuilding it?? Sounds like a cool dealer.. Good Luck.. Let me know if they find anything else. If it snows before I get my stock parts, I might just wait till spring to get it fixed, it is NOT a daily driver..

 

The service guy told me they would "probably" replace the whole rear. I guess they'll find out when they take the old one out. Obviously I'd rather they just give me a new one than try and fix the one that has been bad since I drove it off the lot. I hope to get it in to the dealer sometime next week, if they can fit me in.