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Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:54 pm

OK, doing some work on my '65. I have the original transmission still in the car. It was wet looking when I crawled underneath, so I checked the Transmission oil to find it was about empty. I ended up putting nearly 2 quarts of oil in until I felt it near the fill plug. I put the plug back in. About 2 days later, I saw gear oil all over the floor of the garage on the passengers side. I can't see where it is coming from. Since it is the orignal transmission, I figured it would leak a little, but nothing like this. What do I need to look for to find out where it is leaking??

Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:16 pm

Side plates or cracked rubber axle boot(s) are most likely suspects.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:19 pm

Not sure where to tell you to start. The rubber boots to each rear axel are a place of failure, but first thing I would do it pressure wash it after soaking it down with some degreaser, if Break lines are new or any other rubber you may want to protect them from degreaser.

After you get 43 years of stuff off of her, you have a better chance of seeing , finding the leak. My guess if it leaks that fast you will find it fast.

Hope you do not have a crack in case, if so , not to worry, can find one on market.

Good luck!
Gordon

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:05 am

Before breaking out the pressure washer, check the axle boots! You don't want to be squirting high pressure water into the tranny through holes in the boots!

If the boots are good, then have at it with the pressure washer and degreaser.

My bet is on the boots.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:40 pm

replaced the boots a couple of years ago and they are dry. I will have to crawl under this weekend and get a better look. are there any seals on that side that could be leaking? Again...I am no expert on transmission........they make me nervous to work on.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:48 pm

If the leak is coming from around the front mount area, it could be one or all of the three little plugs that are supposed to be present are missing...?

See http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43434

HTH,

- DM

Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:44 am

carcrazed wrote: replaced the boots a couple of years ago and they are dry. I will have to crawl under this weekend and get a better look. are there any seals on that side that could be leaking? Again...I am no expert on transmission........they make me nervous to work on.

There is no reason for you to be nervous yet! All you need to do now is to find out where the leak is.

After that, there will be plenty of time to be nervous if you need to be.

But for now, find the leak.

There is little to worry about even if you have a side cover or nose cone leaking. It's not until you really get inside that things can get difficult. So most leaks are pretty easy to deal with.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:27 pm

The transmission shifts fine and seems to work good, just the damn leak. I will have to really inspect it better this weekend. All I know is that it is leaking on the passengers side. THanks for all of the input guys!

Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:16 pm

Isnt on the top right pass. side two or three holes that are supposed to be plugged? I know my swing axle was missing them when I first got it and leaked down the right side. Just a thought.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:15 am

67 Shane wrote: Isnt on the top right pass. side two or three holes that are supposed to be plugged? I know my swing axle was missing them when I first got it and leaked down the right side. Just a thought.

See Dangermouse 's link above.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:24 am

I had the same problem when I changed the fluid on my 64. There are 3 holes on the passenger side that were plugged with small cork plugs. These plugs disappeared over time and when I replaced the trans fluid, the leaks manifested themselves and it made a big mess. I tried unsuccessfully to fill the holes by various means. Finally I called a transmission shop I found in Hot VWs (Rancho I believe). They knew exactly what I needed and it solved the problem. They sold me small metal plugs that fit perfectly in the holes. My garage floor is forever stained as a result of this adventure.

I think the plugs are "detent" plugs but I am not sure of that.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:20 pm

I still have to look to really see, but if it is the three holes, I will have to take a short trip to my VW guy to see if he can get the metal plugs. I think I remember from a previous post, but can they be installed with the trans. in the car? (no, right???)

Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:55 am

Right! If you can't get the plugs, you can make your own from aluminum, or in some cases, RTV the hole.

Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:34 pm

I'm sure I have the same problem. Have a 61 with original tranny, and just changed the fluid a couple days ago. And at the same time cleaned all the crud off the bottom. Then this morning I get up to go to work and there's a puddle of gear oil underneath the car. Appears to be leaking somewhere near the front (I'm gonna crawl under there tomorrow to comfirm exactly what's going on) Can the detent plugs be tapped in without removing the tranny? and what's RTV? thanks

Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:51 pm

Quote: Can the detent plugs be tapped in without removing the tranny?

Pretty tight space, I doubt it. It would be pretty awkward but maybe you could lever them in somehow.

Quote: what's RTV?

Just silicone sealent. Clean the area as best you can, get a dab of sealer on the tip of a finger and smear it in there. Repeat until satisfied. Holds up for a while but less than ideal.

HTH

- DM

Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:48 pm

Putting the plugs in is really no big deal if that is your problem. There is room.

RTV is Room Temperature Vulcanising. Slicon sealant that dries at room temperature. Comes in a variety of colors. Sometimes known as Blue Goo. But I would use black permatex.

If you get things cleaned well, the RTV will last a long time.

Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:12 pm

Clean the hole with a Q-tip dunked in paint thinner. That will let the RTV grip better. Don't smush it far into the hole; you don't want a goober of RTV floating arounf the inside.

Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:18 pm

Goober of RTV...That just created a mental picture. Crazy what we do to keep these things rolling.

Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:08 pm

thanks guys. much appreciated. Is the RTV something I would find at an auto parts store or a home improvement store? (or perhaps both)

I'll try to keep the goobers out of the tranny. :lol:

Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:00 am

You can find RTV at either an auto parts store or home improvement center.

In the auto parts store, its a gasket sealer. In the home improvement store, its a tub culk.