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Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:25 am

I was wondering how often everyone services there automatic. Leaving on a long trip soon and was planning to change the trans. fluid but was curious if I should buy the kit and replace the screen, seal and gasket while I am at it. My van has 91k on it. Any tips?

Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:33 am

I would say, if you don't know when it was last serviced, then get the gasket/filter kit and change the fluid. Their was definately some junk in the filter when I did this. My tranny has almost 200K and shows no signs of distress. From what I read, it is not uncommon to get 250K out of the autotrans before getting a rebuild. They are pretty stout, albeit 3 sp.

Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:50 am

wymtns wrote: I was wondering how often everyone services there automatic. Leaving on a long trip soon and was planning to change the trans. fluid but was curious if I should buy the kit and replace the screen, seal and gasket while I am at it. My van has 91k on it. Any tips?
I do one of these every 2 years
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=241119586&pct=1225076776&ct=1156206723
and refill with your fav A/t syth mobile, amsoil, redline

Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:24 pm

Perfect timing for this too-

http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=305

Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:11 pm

tclark wrote:
I do one of these every 2 years
http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=241119586&pct=1225076776&ct=1156206723
and refill with your fav A/t syth mobile, amsoil, redline
I would think that every two years is a bit excessive but I guess it depends on how much you drive it. Every 30,000 miles is about right for a AT servicing. Certainly if you don't have any record of when it was done last, now is a good time. The price for the service kit is certainly not an obstacle, and it is not a difficult job.

Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:33 pm

I do the trans thing every TWO years as well along with a synthetic oil change for the Diff. Synthetic oil and grease and my Air cooled 81 and 73 are cool running and happy.

Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:23 pm

This is a little tangent to the thread but seems like a captive audience.

If anyone else with an auto transmission is interested in a limited slip/TBD differential for their 090 auto transaxle, let Gary Peloquin know that you're interested. He might do a diff for this application if there is enough interest.

Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:15 pm

I could possibly be suckered into an LSD or TBD, but my first obvious question would have to be what is the difference between an 010 and a 090. I've seen comments that they are similar, but do they share the differential? Frankly if it wasn't in a beetle or a split I'm rather uninformed. Thanks.

Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:00 pm

I service my automatic's every 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, changing the screen,and using type F fluid for right now shifts.

Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:34 pm

[Quote]...what is the difference between an 010 and a 090... [quote]

I think the transmission is an 010 and the differential is 090. Anyone confirm?

The differentials on 4-sp transaxles are 091

Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:58 am

magician wrote: T
If anyone else with an auto transmission is interested in a limited slip/TBD differential for their 090 auto transaxle, let Gary Peloquin know that you're interested. He might do a diff for this application if there is enough interest.
mail sent :)

Peloquin's Differentials
500 Harve Mathis Road
Athens, GA. 30601

Phone: 706.613.5339
Fax: 706.355.3942
Email: info@peloquins.com

that would be killer 4 snows & LSD

Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:04 am

I'm going to agree with Terry on this, but step up to more frequent servicing. This is based on what I had with my recently rebuild auto.

Purchased my '91 Westflalia 2WD auto in NJ at the beginning of last summer, auto trans was recently rebuilt with 6,000 miles max on it when we picked it up, rig had 148K and change.

Drove home to Vermont, everything fine, then prepped for HUGE trip VT > SC > VT. This last summer trip added about 3,200 miles, so about 10k so far on the rebuild. Drove great.

This last fall I serviced the entire cooling system, engine and trans. Flushed cooling system with VW/Audi blue fluid, installed new AT cooler, seals, GoWesty coolant line kits (Terry - I was sooo ensiey weensey close to plunking down for your lines - MoF nicked it - dah'um), swapped over to different style "T" coolant piece, swapped out a new cooling line (from thermostat to new "T") and lastly, when the AT fluid was drained and filled with filter, the magnetic drain plug had an awful load of grey grunge on it. No chunks though.

I'll be changing out fluids yearly. Amsoil ATF, Amsoil 15-40HD Diesel engine oil, Amsoil gear oil.

Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:51 am

I know my AT is overdue for service but I wonder what specifically is indicated by my AT slipping on tart up after sitting for a week or so?

If I put the pedal down and go, it only takes about 100 ft before the trans starts acting normally.

Does this indicate low fluid, old fluid or something more serious?

Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:51 am

There is a check valve to keep the torque convertor from draining when sitting. It can be come clogged open. When you shut the engine off, the torque convertor drains back into the pan to the level of the check valve. Parking up a hill aggrevates this. When you start the engine, the torque convertor fills back up. I'd be curious what happens if you sit with the engine running for a couple minutes and then put it in gear. Also, the rubber seals get hard with age. A little ambient heat softens them up and they work better. See if you can pin point how it improves. Bentley describes pressure tests you can make. You will need a very high pressure gauge to do the tests. Unfortunately, low pressures could require an overhaul.

Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:19 pm

That's good information. I'll have to pay attention to the orientation when it happens.

I can't even say that it's consistent but it does occur with the longer periods of idleness. First order of business is a filter and fluid change. That should make it happier.

cheers,

mordo

Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:10 am

kindof off topic but my vanagon was low on ATF so i added some and it drove no problems for a few days but now it wont shift out of 1st

any ideas_ i realy dont want to have to get a new tranny

Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:24 am

blackiesvwratt wrote: kindof off topic but my vanagon was low on ATF so i added some and it drove no problems for a few days but now it wont shift out of 1st

any ideas_ i realy dont want to have to get a new tranny

Warm up the van, and check the level again. My experience is that these trannies don't like being over or under filled.

Cheers!
Dave

Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:38 am

anybody have an auto the whines?

Mine does in 1st gear and has since I bought it many, many miles ago....

Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:12 am

hero419 wrote: anybody have an auto the whines?

Mine does in 1st gear and has since I bought it many, many miles ago....
Mine does some when it is cold. It whines in first just some when cold. In fact my van is slow to move in first when it is cold. Been that way for several years.

In the Summer time I can honestly say it does not whine in first.

I change the fluid every now and then. I changed the diff oil 2 years ago or so. No intermix.

But, it has always made noise in first since I got it when it is cold.

No body has a good answer. Mine has 190K on it and is a 1985 in our Westy.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:21 am

Guru question.

What are the differences between an early 85 and a later 89 automatic?

I read the torque converter is different. But why?

Reason behind this is, I am putting a Suby in. I will ditch the water cooler in favor of an air cooler. We will modify the governor for shift points. We will likely overhaul the automatic half (cheap to do.) Guess we will put a new differetial seal in for good luck.

I have the 190K working OK automatic in the van. I have the working (good?) automatic from my parts 89 parts van which had over 100K on it. I drove that parts van a little so I know it basically works.

Which one do I rebuild? I will keep one for spare.

I would love to just redo the 1989 one and attach it to the Suby engine and stick it all in at once and leave the van running as long as possible, even though I don't really have to.

Sorry, I mean not thread jack, or should I post a new thread?

What do you gurus think?