Changing front & rear diff oil...Am I a retard?

[jalan]

I was hoping I’d find something in this thread about the actual fill level in the front diff. I just replaced the VC so had 100% of the oil out of my differential. I filled it on the bench with the called for 1.5 l. Now that it’s back in I decided to check the level and it is about 13mm below the fill hole. I don’t really think that 1/2” (13mm) will make any difference as far as oiling or longevity is concerned. Interesting that on my eurovan Bentley actually has a picture and specs on a bent wire dipstick for checking the manual transmission fluid. Has anyone come across info on the appropriate fill level in relation to the fill hole on a syncro vanagon?
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1989 Syncro Hardtop, 2.5 '07 Subaru
1991 Carat Hardtop
1995 High Top Eurovan Syncro

[Sodo]

So cute reading the notes above.
Everyone thinks there is transaxle maintenance in the Bentley manual,
but they just haven't located it yet.

Note----->Bentley manual has NOT ONE WORD - about transaxle maintenance.

For completeness....^^ this procedure ^^ discovered 30 years later.
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'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[bstein]

[MarkWard]

FAQ resurrection. My Bentley manual gives the fill capacities for all the transmissions except the 5 speed syncro transmission. I imagine the capacity is a little more than the regular 5 speed. I checked the FAQ section and unless I missed it, I don't see a table of fluid capacities for the vanagon. Seems sort of odd. Even in the Bentley, there is no table for manual transmission capacities. The capacities are located in a box on the exploded view.

[insyncro]

As long as they are not weeping....leave them and check them from time to time.

[meanvicky]

[davideric9]

BTW, it was Van Cafe that told me to use gl-4 in the rear and gl-5 in the front. I guess you used gl-4 all the way around. I have not done the front diffs yet, I trust Van-Cafe and so i may use the GL-5.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[sc-surfer]

Thanks to Syncrodoka I managed to finish the project. No real drama other than having to drop the syncro rear skid plate to access the drain plug for the transaxle. I swear some day I'll own a lift. I HATE crawling arround on the ground. At least I have concrete in our new place. Beats the gravel drive of out last place.

Plugs came out with a firm tug on my breaker bar. I was able to access the fill plug on the transaxle with an extension without removing the shift linkage. By putting the front wheels up on ramps I got quite a bit of fluid out.

Front diff was a piece of cake.

Observations: only a little 'fur' on the magnetic drain plugs, no big chunks. Seems to go into first gear from a stop much smother. Maybe the fluid level was low, or the new oil has a different viscosity??

On the other hand, there seems to be a little more noise transmitted through the shift lever. Any idea why? The sound is a light whirring sound that almost goes away entirely when I just touch the shift knob. Why do I have this sound and is there a way to quiet it? It has always bothered me and now it is slightly louder.

Glad to have it done for another 30k or so!!
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'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * *

[syncrodoka]

Put the tools on your porch in the box with the tranny fluid.

[sc-surfer]

[syncrodoka]

I have a snap-on and VC version if you want to borrow it.

[insyncro]

With the right tools and a little patience anything is possible, reguardless of the vehicle.
prelube the area in advance, use gentle heat to loosen it up, consistant pressure when removing.
It will work out for you.

dylan

[sc-surfer]

[sc-surfer]

[insyncro]

[davideric9]

Van-Cafe sells this tool for $5.00. Let us know how this turns out for you.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[sc-surfer]

Kevin,

Ya, that's basically what I got, just in the wrong size. And not Snap On. Will exchange for proper size tomorrow and apply force with my impact driver.
_________________
'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * *

[kevinm]

A good tool to get the fill plugs out is this one:

<<http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=3198&group_ID=363>>

Works on the drain plugs also, but as others have said, only after you've got the fill plugs loosened.

When replacing, make sure not to over tighten.

- Kevin

[sc-surfer]

Thanks All!!!

I'll remove the fill plug first for sure. I have an impact driver so hopefully that will work the plugs loose without too much drama. I bought a 19mm today because that was all I could think of while at the parts store. I'll be taking it back for a 17mm tomorrow and having a go at it. Hope all goes as planned!! But you know how it is when trying to get things done before a long trip...
_________________
'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * *

[davideric9]

Make sure you open the fill plug first because these can be very stubborn. If you cant fill it, don't drain it. I had a 17mm wrench on the 17mm allen and pushed so hard the wrench broke. Many years ago I took the van to have the diff oil changed, perhaps at the dealer and they charge me over an extra hour because they had trouble getting the fill plug open.

BTW - Some say GL-4 in the rear, GL-5 in the front.

Good luck.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)