Alright guys I have a couple of issues I need some help diagnosing. I've been doing my best to knock out some here and there BUT these have me stumped.

First here is a little backgrond on my car. Its a 97 A4 with roughly 145,000 miles on it. I purchased it nearly 2 years ago with 96,000 miles. I'm the 5th owner I believe and I'm nearly positive the last couple owners haven't done much more than change the oil and refuel it. So I seem to be playing catch up with the maintenece.

So far I've changed over the past year:

Driver rear wheel hub
Rear brakes
Various hoses to the pcv system
Both belts under the hood
Idler pulley and arm
Plugs and wires
I'm sure there is more but I just can't remember all of it right now

Now I haven't done a tranny flush being as I'm not entirely certain how old the fluid is inside. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't like the idea of pushing what could be very old garbage through the valvebody. I've also been told its not a good idea to even dump the pan and put in new fluid. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'm open to dropping the pan, changing the filter, and refilling the tranny with fresh fluid if you guys think it would help and not cause further issues.

Anyway here are the issues I'm running into:

1. I have a squeal that is audible between 1400 and 1700 rpms. It sounds similar to belt squeal but almost more metallic sounding. It seems to peak right before I shift if I'm cruising with light throttle. It will still squeal if I'm on the gas harder but it doesn't seem to get as loud.

2. Not very often but at times I seem to have a hesitation from taking off from a stop. It seems to happen more often if I come to a quick stop the just as quickly take off again. For example if I'm slowing to a stop at a stop light but just before I completely stop the light turns green so I left off the brake and as soon as I get on the gas the hesition comes up. It almost feels like the torque converter locking and unlocking if that makes any sense. Which brings me to my next issue

3. At times if I'm on the highway cruising at say 70 mph if I let off the gas then get back on it I get a VERY similar hesitation to the stop light issue above.

Now it seems to me that these may be all tranny related BUT I'd rather not just throw money at a new tranny being as I'm not experiencing ANY slippage under part or full throttle in any of the gears. I'm hoping its something cheaper and easier but my luck never seems to go that way.

 

Bump for the morning crew

 

I would say take it to a trans shop for diagnosis. From your description could be trans or torque converter related. About 12 years ago I put a TCI 700R4 trans and converter in my cutlass and had what sounded like a belt squeal but more of a metallic screech to it. Ended up being the converter broke up inside and also was screwing up the trans. If I work on someone's trans that the fluid has never been changed, I will only do it if they accept the fact that the trans may need replaced/rebuilt if it starts messing up after doing the fluid and filter.
GL
Chris

 

Thats what I was afraid of. I appreciate the help.

 

Let us know what you figure out.
GL
Chris

 

Hate to say this BUT my money is on your torque tube couplers. I bought a 97 about 4 months ago. It has 109,000 miles on the clock. Had it for one week and it started making squeaking sounds from the "tranny area". After a few spirited drives then the metalic sound showed up. Then it locked up and wouldn't move. Had it towed to my buddy's shop and I tore it down. Did a lot of research and found out , if your C5 is 12ish or more years old OR you have 100k plus miles, odds are your couplers are shot. Its a hell of a job to fix. Drop the rear suspension, tranny, diff, torque tube etc.

Do a search on here, but I'm sure that's your problem. sorry

This issue will have to be fixed on every C5 sooner or later but I never heard of it until mine broke. I was on the C4 side for to many years. Should be a sticky for anybody looking to buy a C5 with 100k miles.

 

Honestly I'd rather it be the torque tube vs the tranny itself grenading. The labor will still be a pain but the overall fix will be a lot cheaper. Come to think of it I have some pretty good vibration going on too. I initially wrote that off as just the tires due to be replaced but I've been fighting this vibration even with new tires.