Automatic transmission pan drain plugs

[Renowestfalia]

I’m about to service my automatic trans (ATF and filter) and final drive gear oil. I have to drop both pans has anyone ever put in drain plugs in these pans for convenience in the future? Also what’s everyone using for gear oil? Thanks

[MarkWard]

Haven't owned a vanagon automatic, but over the years added drain plugs to my tow vehicle automatic pans. I would drain the automatic at the same time the oil was changed.

Ideally, you'd want a weld in drain plug set. If the insert protrudes too far into the pan, you won't get all the fluid out. Dexron Mercon is likely fine especially if you are changing when you change the oil. Others have used Type F to improve shifting on older units. No experience with that either.
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[Sodo]

Changing half the oil at a half-interval is better than changing all the oil in one interval (which you can’t do anyway).
And it’s easier so you’re more likely to do it.
It's a really good plan for an antique vehicle where parts are going NLA.

Can you get all the oil out of the pan, sucking the dipstick tube?
I don't know anything about an automatic.
There could be a 'Van angle' where you can really suck it clean.👍🏽
But what you do get out, is replaced with fresh.

Making an oil suction rig is super easy, if you have a 5-gal bucket and it's lid.

All of the old oil, every drop!, goes directly into your "dirty oil jug".
There's no mess at all.
It's really a good system.

And you can suck your Power Steering reservoir dry at the same time.👍🏽

Don't worry about leaking some vacuum, you need a lot of leak to cool your shopvac motor.
And there's PLENTY vacuum left over to suck oil with even massive 80% leakage.
Who cares whether it's 30 sec or takes a whole minute?
Flog the internet for a few minutes - while it sucks your tube clean too.

The biggest time-saver is all your used oil, every single drop, is already in your waste-oil jug, all you have to do is cap it.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[markswagen]

one day taking a transmission in to have it rebuilt, someone found a way to drain a transmission quickly.
the pans were both repaired.

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markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310

[Sodo]

If you can weld, it's easy to weld a drain-bung over that hole, for the win.
Here I cut the threaded hole off a 3/8NPT Tee fitting and welded it into the cover.
And used a magnetic plug so I can get a little 'health report' too.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[djkeev]

I added a drain point on my transmission oil pan using a crush type drain plug.
No welding required.

I'm a big believer in "too frequent" oil changes.
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[SCM]

[hardway]

The path of least resistance would be to get a fluid extrator pump. Like this https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&a...7ZHtClK1sk

[MarkWard]

[xflyer]

On a Vanagon auto there is no need for an drain plug for the automatic section. Just unscrew the dipstick tube and pull it out. Been done like that forever.
The final drive/differential is another situation. VW tells you to remove the pan which is a pain and you need a new gasket. One of the first things I did when I got my 89 campmobile with auto trans, was remove the pan, drill a hole in it and weld a nut over the hole. Similar to what others pictured above. I selected the nut to fit a drain plug I had on the shelf. Ended up having to use several sealing washers as the plug contacted the ring gear, so beware of that.
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1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C

[IdahoDoug]

When you pull the auto pan for the service, dont mess with the dipstick tube. Royal pain. With a little finagling, the pan can be rotated and come off all together. Massive time saver!
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[xflyer]

I try to avoid removing the pan as, after the mid-90s, the rubber gaskets were often too small. Many people say they want to take off the pan to clean the screen. Having worked on the VW automatics since the early 70s, I found that if there is junk in the screen the trans is failing.
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1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C

[MarkWard]

[jlrftype7]