Aftermarket ATF dipstick?

[aereo-van]

Is there any reason an aftermarket, machined, flexible trans dipstick could not work on the Eurovan trans?

The male aluminum piece could be machined to fit in the trans fill hole and I’m assuming you could calibrate the correct length dipstick to coincide with proper fill level.

Not necessarily this exact one, but something like it:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-ed-5014?rrec=true

Anybody know the diameter of the fill hole?
_________________
2003 Eurovan MV

[VanGeek]

Great question -- curious if something like this is possible.
If not --there's probably not a ton of demand but a machine shop might be able to fabricate a mount, bend the tubing, etc or modify/repurpose another dipstick.

But would need all the specs on one that fits.
(and I don't have one).

[vwplenty]

I made a eurovan transmission ATF dipstick with the transmission fill-plug, a PVC fitting from home depot and a dipstick from a local auto parts store. A bit of automotive grade silicone glue in the PVC fitting holds it together. Drill a hole in the fill plug for the dipstick.

/Robert

[Endopotential]

That's brilliant! Now on my short list of upcoming projects.

So much easier than jacking up the car, then running back and forth to check transmission temps and do the fluid top offs.

[67rustavenger]

Robert (vwplenty), What year EV did you perform the dipstick modification on?
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[vwplenty]

This ATF dipstick was made for a 2002 AXK 24v. The length is 14.5 inches. You still need to acquire a dipstick tube for this to work.

I made it many years ago and it was probably this one:
"Spectre Performance SPE-4255 Chrome Oil Dipstick"

You need to calibrate and mark the dipstick after the normal refill procedure. At 110 Degrees you can can still hold you hand on the transmission pan. You can also make a mark for operating temp (hot) like the old American cars had.

/Robert

[67rustavenger]

Thanks. $12.99 at AutoZone is cheap!
I might do this dipstick upgrade.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Endopotential]

In case anyone's shopping, the transmission fill cap is $30 on EBay but only $11 on evil Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073M9VCQC/ref=ewc_pr_img_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

[Endopotential]

If anyone else has worked on this, I'm wondering about the suggested length of 14 inches for the dipstick. I've also got a 2002 EV.

On mine, it's only 7 inches to the bottom of the transmission pan.
Re-reading VWPlenty's message above, looks like you also need a metal extension tube to bring it within reach, and not directly attached to the OEM black cap as pictured.

Otherwise the top pull ring seems to bang up against the starter. But if I cut off the ring, it would be harder to pull out the dipstick.

Also realized that the utility of this project is marginal. Unless it's lengthened, the dipstick is so far down there's no way you can access it from the top of the engine. Which means you still have to drop the bottom pan to get to it. So it's not exactly easy to check a frequent intervals, as you would with the oil dipstick.

But it does give you a means of checking the transmission fluid level, short of warming up the engine and doing the whole overflow routine.

[kourt]

Just as a consolation, the genuine dipstick is not easy to use. It does have a tube that puts it higher in the engine bay, but it's still a chore to get to it. Have fat forearms or large hands? Forget it.

kourt

[HeyCrutch]

From a listing in the classifieds, if you're still interested in what the true A/T fluid dipstick looks like:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2579104
_________________
-2003 EV MV Weekender- Dragon Emerald Pearl- 24v VR6 - Forest
-2002 EV Camper- Arctic White - 24v VR6 - Ghost 2.0
-2003 EV GLS- Reflex Silver- 24v VR6 - (For Parts)

-1997 EV Camper- Arctic White- 12v VR6 (SOLD)

[OB Bus]

[Endopotential]

Chalk this up as some wasted money on a failed science project.

The black fill tube just sits too high, such that anything attached to the top just hits the starter. I tried bending the dipstick tube to accommodate, but the tight turns made it too hard to get the dipstick down. And as others have pointed out, it's just too deep down to be accessible from the top of the engine bay.

So if I ever drop the transmission pan again, maybe I'll play around with shortening down that fill tube. But for now I'll just be happy with a working transmission.

[1988M5]

How about installing a sight glass on the side of the pan with a peek-a-boo hole in the skid plate?
_________________
1991 tin top GL
2002 Winnebago Vista. VW VR6 24V Eurovan front clip powered class C 21' RV.
Some BMWs.

[Endopotential]

That would be cool but likely completely infeasible.

The transmission pan is nowhere thick enough to drill/ tap through securely. And no way I'd trust a glue to secure a sight glass with all that heat.

It would just take a leak or the sight glass to pop off, for all your transmission fluid to disappear and destroy things in the middle of nowhere.