A good Trans oil filler 17mm hex tool ($12) holds 2 wrenches

[Sodo]

For those with Vanagons getting up in the years,
and fearful of (shocking !) transaxle rebuild prices,

You should change your trans oil BEFORE your drain magnet confirms that you waited too long.....
Fresh gear oil is only $16/gallon. So cheap for the miles you will get, by maintaining a level of cleanliness. And MORE important if you added 25%, 50% 75% more horsepower going thru that little trans.

You need a tool to get the 17mm hex (also called "allen") plugs out. The filler plug and the drain are both 17mm. Be sure to dig all the crud out of the socket, so you can get 100% insertion. If you don't get the tool 100% inserted you might strip the hex which causes all kind of problems!

ABN 3/8" Inch Motorcycles Hex Axle Tool - 17mm, 19mm, 22mm, 24mm - Hex Allen Front Wheel Hub Axle Spindle Socket Adapter
by ABN
AMAZON Link: http://a.co/2Qw7Ngo

----- OK Soapboxing - but trying to make a difference in Vanagon enjoyment ------- MAINTAIN YOUR ANTIQUE

This pic shows the option of TWO wrenches and TWO hands to turn that stuck fill plug (if you have to)

I hope this helps folks to maintain their vans easier. After you get your plug(s) out, tighten them with 14 ft-lbs, and it won't take two hands to loosen it. And don't wait so long either.....maintain your Vanagon.
_________________


'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

[bokonon42]

Thanks, ordered.
Do you have a recommended magnet plug to use?
thanks
-terry
_________________
Terry
88 Vanagon Wolfsburg Carat - https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=671319

[Gnarlodious]

I find it is easier to drop the linkage.
_________________
Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[Sodo]

The long magnet VW oil drain plug is part# 091301141
Van Cafe has it for $9.90 www.van-cafe.com/magnetic-drain-plug
It fits exactly the same in the oil filler hole.

[shagginwagon83]

I have this job to do soon. I didn't realize it was such a PITA to get to. It looks like I should take the time to install a Van Cafe shift-fix-kit and drop the linkage.

Thanks for the post OP. I'll pick one up
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Vanagon Nut]

[VicVan]

I assume this also works for an automatic ?
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Paulbeard]

[dhaavers]

^^^

- Dave

PS: Sodo's tool suggestion looks very good...if it could also fit in the DRAIN plug position it would be perfect!
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Paulbeard]

[dhaavers]

Unfortunately I'm dealing with my PO's somewhat-kludged exhaust bracket which only
leaves me almost exactly 1-1/4" clearance directly in line with the drain plug...

Oh well...someday I'll have a nice van. How much clearance do the rest of you have there?

<shrug>

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Paulbeard]

[Sodo]

[Wildthings]

Here is my entry into the transmission tool contest. Just a 3/4 hex long nut that has been ground down on one end to fit the 17mm hex. Easily turned with either a 19mm or 3/4" wrench. Would like to find something similar out of a high alloy steel. This is my travel tool as it takes up the least room of any of the various drain plug tools I own. It of course can be used with a ratchet and socket as well.

[Alaskaberrys]

The dual approached worked for me. Fought those stupid fill plugs for hours last week. It looked like it had put up a fight before...

Took heat, loud noises, bad words and finally chopping my brand new 17mm allen up to use just as Sodo described above

Found that I could apply lots of tourqe to the 17mm hex stub with a 1/2" drive bar, but because I was not able to get perpendicular it'd slip out when I put some serious heft on it. Using another wrench flush on face did the trick. That and 24" of cheater pipe and a hammer. And heat. And more loud noises

I had chopped the allen up to try to fit under the linkage as another Samaba member had success at doing, unfortunately I couldn't match faces in the amount of available swing. Then the light bulb went off...

I did enjoy my last Santa Cruz Van-Cafe cookie tho

_________________
'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...)

[kamzcab86]

[shagginwagon83]

[Alaskaberrys]

[Jake de Villiers]

[jhax]

So I attempted to loosen fill plug with no luck. I think I will have to weld a bolt to it. However, does anyone have any insight as to whether I can remove the reverse light switch, or perhaps the bolt on top of the trans that hold in the shift shaft and add oil through there?

Thank you,
Justin