How do i check the transmission oil level / condition

[shadetreemech]

[spitty]

So to clarify. The CHECK/FILL Plug on the SIDE is going to be a 17mm just like the DRAIN plug on the bottom?

[TroySmith80]

Oh yeah, forgot to post back.

I replaced the seals on saturday. I'm just slow, took me a few hours. Also repacked one of the CV joints because it was lookin bad. The other looked ok. Probably should have just done them all but i didn't have time.

Anyway, first thing i noticed when i was getting ready to do the job is that a lot of oil has been leaking around where the shifter goes into the housing. Didn't have a seal for that so i'll keep an eye on it and if it continues to look bad i'll replace it later.

Have put probably 70 or 80 miles on since new seals and so far, so dry.

On an unrelated note: Also bent the window frame on drivers door so it is closer to the body. Sounds like a terrifying and stupid idea but my grandpa worked most of his life in a body shop and after checking the seal around the door with slips of paper he said that's what it needed.

What an improvement! So much quieter now! Fixed my slider door too. It was VERY hard to turn the latch to open the door. Took everything apart and cleaned the 20 year old gooked up grease out. Now it works pretty nice.

[thewump]

What a bee with in itch.

Just completed this job, and did not have fun. The van I bought 3 weeks ago has a speed (not RPM) related whine that was getting more evident and is now MUCH more under control. Sounds like pinion bearings from what I've read.

For the record, repeating what is said and argued elsewhere:

1) Used GL4 lube - NOT GL4/GL5. The only place I could get it locally was Napa for $23 / gallon.

2) If you google it you'll find suggestions on how to fashion a tool using a bolt and a couple of nuts. I tried it but couldn't get the torque I needed without stripping threads (of the tool - not the van). If you search Samba you'll also find horror stories of people rounding / ruining the hex plugs and the pain in the butt that leads to so I'd STRONGLY recommend getting the right tool for the job. One option is the 3 piece Hex Bit Set from Autozone. It's got a 17mm hex bit for a half inch socket, but space is so limited (especially the drain plug) just drive the hex bit out of the socket and use it with a 17mm wrench. Either that or cut about a 4 cm section from a 17mm hex wrench.

Found evidence of leaking there so thanks whoever posted that info about the breather hole. Will check that when I get my spirits up again!

Well anyway. Between having to go out and find the tool and drive all over the place to find the oil that one hour job just took 5. Thankful though that I have a SOCAL van in Denver - and no longer live in Ireland where ANY job was like that due to rust

K
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87 Weekender

[TroySmith80]

Ok, well i just went out and crawled under the van with a bit of coat-hanger wire and a flashlight and mirror and probed that hole out. It would be really nice if that were all that was necessary but i'm skeptical. It was a bit grubby and grimy up there but I don't think it was packed so tight that it would be easier for oil to force past the seals than for air to seep out that hole.

I cleaned up the housing though and we'll see if it stays dry now.

[TroySmith80]

[?Waldo?]

Before you go pulling the drive flange seals you might want to give this a gander:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=344159

It might just cure your tranny fluid leaks FOR FREE (or close to it).

Andrew

[TroySmith80]

[Bruce Wayne]

[riceye]

[TroySmith80]

[sjhannan]

The debate on gear oil is below. Redline or Swepco.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=366486&highlight=gear+oil

[Bruce Wayne]

I have been thinking about replacing my tranny fluid,what should I use? how much does the tranny take to "fill" it?

[GeeZ12]

Remember to use your nose - Transmission oil has a very definite odor. If the oil on the ground doesn't smell like transmission oil then it will most likely be engine oil.

[riceye]

[TroySmith80]

Ah, ok, now i'm with ya. Thanks for the info.

Good tip on removing the filler plug first. That's the kind of thing i tend to learn the hard way.

[mightyart]

[zerotofifty]

with van on level surface, remove the filler plug on side of tranny. the oil shold be up tot eh bottomlip of the filler plug. top off as needed wit the correct fluid.

if it is substantially low, or if your are unsure when teh fluid was last changed, go ahead and drain it (drain hot) and replace.

note never ever remove the drain plug first!! always remove teh filler plug first, just in case it is stuck, better to have a stuck filler plug with oil still in t he tranny than to find it is stuck after your drained all teh oil out!

[markmc90]

No the drain plug is on the bottom. The check plug is about halfway up the side where I described. When you unscrew it the fluid should be at the level of the plug or just under it. Stick your finger in there to see.
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87 Syncro

[TroySmith80]

So there's no ability to just check it? I have to drain and refill? I guess that would explain why that is the only information i could find in the bentley manual.