Cold weather hesitation going in to forward, A4LD

[ProjectAviator]

I only happens when it is cold. But my 96 Limited has a hesitation when going into forward( first) after backing up. It takes about 3-5 seconds before it engages. It is a 96 Limited 163k with a 4.0 and a4ld. It doesn't affect the drivablity of it. After it catches up or in warmer weather it operates normal.

What could be wrong with it??

Tim

 

[BrooklynBay]

Does reverse also hesitate? The low/reverse servo has 2 O rings which might have a little seepage. Seals swell when they are hot, and contract when they are cold.

 

[ProjectAviator]

No hesitation in reverse.

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is more pressure in reverse than in forward. Try to tighten the valve body bolts since the gaskets expand, and contract with temperature.

 

[Glacier991]

First off I think BB is right on with his provisional diagnosis. That said, while there are things you can do to replace those O-rings with newer designs, the problem you experience is not hurting anything. If you can live with it, knowing what it is, and not worry, you can have peace of mind that all is well otherwise. Just be patient and do not goose it and have it jar or bang coming into gear.

If you want to try and fix it, you will need to drop the pan, and remove the low reverse servo, and replace the O rings with either the double wiper design or the D ring design (my preferred - I use it in all my rebuilds).

BB's suggestion to retorque the VB bolts is never a bad suggestion, but I am skeptical that will improve your situation at all.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Another possibility is that the lip seals in the clutch packs are experiencing wear. I had this once when I experienced a no drive, but minimal reverse with slippage situation on my 88 A4LD. Actually it was just one inner lip seal which was missing (my fault when I rebuilt it).