Vanagon Fluids & Capacities

[jwallis]

Hopefully nobody is annoyed by this.

I remember using this link from westfalia.org (now defunct) years ago, and fortunately The Internet Archive had a saved copy of it. It was last updated by Capt Mike in 2016. I am not the source of any of this info, but I wanted to share it here so I can bookmark it.
Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20161005222136/http://...capacities

Thread: Vanagon fluid capacities
Capt. Mike Capt. Mike is offline Moderator

Vanagon Fluid Capacity Chart & Recommendations

Volkswagen’s technical bulletin #V00-90-01 included a Fluid Capacity Chart [ed. note: Available here: http://rialtainfo.com/vw/vw_images/tech_bulletin_00-97-08.pdf ]. Following is a repeat of that information with some added comments. These apply only to the Vanagon, though lubricant type specifications are also applicable to earlier Type II's.

Engine Oil
2.0L AFC: 3.0 L (3.2 qt.); 3.5 L (3.7 qt.) w/ filter
1.9L WBX: 3.0 L (3.2 qt.) w/ filter
2.1L WBX: 4.0 L (4.2 qt.) w/ filter
Diesel: 3.5 L (3.7 qt.); 3.8 L (4.2 qt.) w/ filter

Volkswagen specifies a minimum API Service rating of SF for gas and CC or CD for diesel, but the advances in lubricants make use of these now obsolete oils unwise. The highest rated oils have current specifications of SM [ed. note: and SN] for gasoline and CI-4+ for diesel engines. Below SJ & CF are considered obsolete. Use the appropriate grade and viscosity for your climate conditions from the owner's or shop manuals. Multi-weight oils of the proper viscosity range may be used in older vehicles that original specified single weight oils. Suggest changing with filter every 3K.

Manual Transmission
AFC 4 speed: 2.9 L (3.2 qt.)
WBX 4 speed: 2.5 L (2.8 qt.)
Diesel 4 speed: 2.5 L (2.9 qt.)
Diesel 5 speed: 3.4 L (3.8 qt.)

Volkswagen specifies 80W or 80W/90 weight with a MIL-L-2105, or API rating of GL-4, but API GL-5 are now the most advanced gear lubes. It adds an impact additive to GL-4 to combat gear lash.

Volkswagen issued a tech bulletin update on capacity (included Bentley §35.31 in later editions to reduce capacity by 15mm (9/16") BELOW the filler hole to reduce foaming and shift effort.

Caution: There is some controversy about using GL-5 in transmissions specifying GL-4. Some manufacturers claim they should not be used, others that they supersede the previous GL-4 spec fluids and are for use in all transmissions. GL-4 spec fluid is becoming harder to find. See posts elsewhere on this site. Suggest changing every 30K. See the discussion here: http://alturl.com/28z7a


Automatic Transmission (all)
Dry fill 6.0 L (6.3 qt.)
Refill 3.0 L (3.2 qt.)

The reason for the difference is the amount captured in the torque converter, which cannot be drained in car. However, A/T fluid has excellent life so a drain, filter replacement and refill every 2 years will usually catch any particulates and refresh the additives sufficiently that a complete drain is not required. Severe contamination may require several, short interval drain & refills or professional flushing.

Volkswagen specifies Dexron©/Dexron II©, but Dexron III© is now available. Mercon© and Mercon V© are Ford spec fluids. They meet Dexron© specs, but not vice-versa so you'll frequently find fluids rated Dexron III©/Mercon©, which is satisfactory. Do NOT use ATF+3 (certain Chrysler transmissions) or Type F (<1980 Ford transmissions). Valvoline now makes a MaxLife ATF for older (75,000> mile) transmissions with special additives such as seal conditioners & cleaners. Suggest changing every 30K.


Automatic Differential (all)
2.1 L (1.3 qt.)

MIL-L-2105B or SAE 90W API GL-5. Suggest changing every 30K.

Cooling System
1.9L WBX: 15.9 L (4.2 gallons)
2.1L WBX: 17.4 L (4.6 gallons)

Use a 50% mixture of “safe for aluminum”, or phosphate-free ethylene glycol, and distilled water. See the coolant tips elsewhere on the Tips Board. Change every two years.

Power Steering
1.2 L (1.3 qt.)

Volkswagen specifies ATF Dexron II, but Dexron III is now available. A Volkswagen tech bulletin cautions Vanagon owners that the Vanagon did not change to the hydraulic oil in 1989 as did other models. Suggest changing every 30K.

Brake Fluid
Varies with system & manufacture of brakes. It typically takes a quart to flush and change the entire system.

Volkswagen switched from DOT 3 specifications to DOT 4 in 1984. The two are compatible and may be mixed, but use only DOT 4 for all changes and fill-ups. DO NOT mix DOT 4 and DOT 5! DOT 5 is a silicone-based fluid and has several very different characteristics beyond the scope of this Tip that make it unwise to mix the two. DOT 3 & DOT 4 are hygroscope; they will absorb moisture out of the air. Since brake systems must be vented, all systems will accumulate moisture which can lead to corrosion and failure. Also, brake fluid will oxidize and become contaminated, especially in the vicinity of the seals at the caliper or cylinder pistons. Change every two years. See change out tips elsewhere on this site. Don’t forget the manual transmission clutch is part of the hydraulic system fed by the brake reservoir and should be changed at the same time.

Windshield Washer Bottle
Front: 3.9 L (4.3 qt.)
Rear: 1.0 L (1.1 qt.)

Use a commercial solvent and anti-freeze mix year around. Most protect to -20°F. If using a concentrate, mix according to directions. Avoid tablet & powders as they may not dissolve and clog the jets.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant
R-12:
AFC & WBX: 1190 + 85 grams (42.0 + 3.0 oz.)
Diesel from 1986: 1438 grams (50.75 oz.)

R-12 is being phased out discontinued in favor of R-134a. The two are not compatible and may not be mixed. Conversion to 134a is possible by an experienced professional. It involves changing all hoses, O-rings, pressure switches, the receiver-dryer and compressor oil. This option should be considered if you have a major failure and the system is opened for repairs.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
AFC & WBX: 135 cc (4.75 oz.)
Diesel from 1986: 237 cc (8.0 oz.)

Volkswagen allows any commercial domestic refrigerant oil in USA models (R-12 systems), but specifies Suniso 5GS, P/N X 091050, only in Canadian models. If converted to R134a. only R134a compatible oil may be used.
Last edited by JohnB; 05-20-2016 at 09:46 AM.

More on refrigerant by Member vanis13
I've never been able to figure out what the "+3.0 oz" was for. anyone know?

I get good cooling at 85% of the 42 oz using R-134a. Which works out to exactly 3 cans. I did try more and less but the performance was best at 3 cans.

R-12 OZ 41.92
% of R-12.........OZ #of R-134.....12 OZ R-134a cans
100% ...............41.92...... 3.49
95% .................39.824 ....3.32
90% .................37.728 ......3.14
85% .................35.632 ......2.97
80% .................33.536 ......2.79

More by Capt Mike in response to vanis13
When I had the conversion done on my '90 Vanagon Syncro, the R-134 initial fill charge was 2.4 lb. The oil charge was 8 oz., which is higher than the R-12 system's was. Be sure you know NOT to use the same oils as the R-12 systems did.

I don't know what the + 3 oz. in the R-12 specs is unless it's a typo and meant +/- 3 oz.
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50+ YouTube videos - brakes, bearings, CV joints, 1.9/2.1 cooling system, mods, Bostig and more...

[VicVan]

That is awesome. Thank you.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[E1]

Agreed!
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1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
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[jimf909]

RIP Capt. Mike.

Westfalia.org was a primary source of Vanagon info for me through the 90s and 00s' and Capt. Mike was the provider of a lot of it.

p.s. Not annoyed. Thanks.
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- Jim

[Californio]

That site was super well-organized and had a lot of information. Lacked a loose community feel, though.

Poking around I see Gerry is still there!

Thanks for posting the capacities, someone will find them useful.
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1987 Syncro Westy/2.0L Tiico

[eeberhar]

Hi,

I recently changed my oil in wbx 1.9 and have been dealing w leaking seals ever since.

The numbers above have me scratching my head…


Engine Oil

1.9L WBX: 3.0 L (3.2 qt.) w/ filter
2.1L WBX: 4.0 L (4.2 qt.) w/ filter


Also if I put 4.2 litres in, can you permanently damage seals?

The motor is newly rebuilt 14k miles ago, before I changed the oil it never leaked… the garage previously had changed the oil and I don’t know how much liquid moly they used.

I clicked on references links above and could find anything to support the numbers quoted above for 1.9 w x

Thoughts? Advice? Thanks in advance

[Ahwahnee]

For my 1.9 WBX I use 4 qts 12 oz to bring the oil level to a point about 1/3 of the way up from 'add' to 'full' on the dipstick.