Auto Trans leak

[physast]

Hello everyone. I am working on my two year maintenance for the van. I looked under today and noticed what appears to be a trans leak. See pictures below. I need to take a closer look, but it looks like it might *NOT* be coming from the seal, but above at what appears to be some sort of gear pulley (is that the name?).

edit: subject changed to better reflect issue
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[djkeev]

So ..... you have an automatic.

That is the shift linkage at the transmission.
The rotted ribbed part is a dust boot whose better days are long gone!

Clean it up using an engine degreaser and start trying to figure out where the leak is coming from. Leaks usually cone from forward and up from where it is the wettest.

Dave .
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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

[physast]

[Wildthings]

It isn't a big deal to change the o-rings on the shafts going into the transmission, if that is where your leak is at. You just need to get everything back together to exactly where is was to start with.

[physast]

[Wildthings]

[danfromsyr]

from this thread in the Bay forum
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=592979

I think you are looking at #15 & #22

[Wildthings]

If you tear into it to replace the o-rings, drain out the oil by removing the fill tube and then loosen or remove the pan bolts so that the pan tilts off to one side. Let it sit this way at least overnight so that as much oil as possible will drip down into the pan and run out.

Take pictures of how everything fits together before undoing anything inside. As others mention now is the time to clean or replace the filter. Having lost a transmission one time because the filter fatigued and cracked, I am a believer in putting in a new filter every 100K miles or so. GoWesty has a filter kit IIRC.

[physast]

So I drove the van today to check the transmission fluid. Still have not got around to cleaning up around the leak to see where the leak is coming from.

Checked the ATF while cold and to my surprise it was very full, past the max mark. Did this a few times because I did not expect this. Then I ran it for about 10 miles kept it running and put it in park to check again. As expected I guess still full, past the max, but not as full.

So maybe.. The trans fluid is leaking because it is over filled.
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[MarkWard]

The torque converter could be draining back when it sits. Save yourself the headache and check the level as recommended. Operating temp, idling in park.
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[physast]

[MarkWard]

Checking cold isn’t helpful. Go with your hot level. Overfilling can froth the fluid adding air bubbles into the fluid. Not helpful. So correct your level.

Your trans in the one picture looks very tired and weathered. At minimum, your looking likely at resealing it.
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[djkeev]

[physast]

I will check the gear oil tomorrow. I also plan on siphoning out some of the trans fluid to correct level.

I have been driving the van this way for probably 5 years. Meaning I have not added, taken out any ATF since I have owned the van. Maybe the differential oil is leaking into the trans. I seem to remember the ATF level being fine a few years ago.
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[djkeev]

[physast]

Honestly, I did not notice any oder at all when I smelled it while checking the level.

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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[physast]

I just siphoned about 1.5 qts of ATF out of the trans. Now the COLD reading is a little above the tip of the dip stick as the manual suggest. I will take it for a spin later to day and check the WARM level and see what I get.
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[physast]

Update:

So I took the van for a spin after siphoning about 1.5 QT of ATF out. Cold was reading just above the tip of the dip stick.

During the ride I noticed slipping, meaning I would give gas, but the van would not move just the engine would rev up.

I stopped and checked the level (Warm at this point) and nothing on the dip stick!

So I kept it running and put about 0.5 QT of ATF in and drove some more. Still slipping.

Stopped check the level nothing on the dip stick!

Added another 0.5 QT and drove some more. This time no slipping meaning when I give gas the van goes and not just revs. Drove for about 10 min came back home.

Checked the level and nothing on the dip stick!

I am going to let her sit for awhile and check the level again cold.

What is going on?
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L

[MarkWard]

Your chasing your tail. Don’t worry about the cold level. You fill it hot. That’s why they specify hot.

1.5 qts is a lot when a change is 3qts.
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[kourt]

Just to make sure we agree on how to measure ATF:

1. drive the van at least six miles.
2. pull over at a level spot.
3. leave the engine running.
4. check the ATF with the engine running.

Any other procedure is incorrect and will produce incorrect results.

kourt