'87 Westy, auto, dropped all trans fluid

[purtypitcher]

Hi, first post, long, new to Vanagons. My ’87 Westy camper, Subaru 2.5, auto, Peloquin, dropped all its trans fluid in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. About five miles from when I first noticed a slipping to when I knew I had to get off the road. Big red puddle forming under the van.

Engine and trans were installed by previous owner about 30,000 miles ago by Small Car in Tacoma. They rebuilt the engine from a 2011 Legacy and the trans is rebuilt by German Transaxle in Bend OR. There is also a trans cooler that is thermostatically controlled (German Trans requires it for warranty, but warranty is past). The van has run perfectly for the 5000 miles I have driven it up until now. (Most of that is the road trip back to Lexington KY (home) from Seattle where I bought it. Previous owner very meticulous on maintenance and upkeep. Have been planning to establish a relationship with a local VW mechanic but have not done that yet.

AAA towed it to Thomas Auto Service in Sevierville yesterday (Saturday) and AAA said they would be open but they were not. So the driver put it in a spot by the front door, and I left a pretty long note, and key in the drop box (I do have another key with me, thanks to girlfriend who came separately to camp with me (lol). Thomas landline was “not accepting messages”. So, I will call them tomorrow morning (Monday) when they open at 7AM. Currently “camping” in a Gatlinburg hotel.

Thomas is a AAA shop, so I guess that is good but I have no idea. They do have a Jasper sign for engine/trans work. But this is of course not a standard factory vehicle, so I am concerned about having them work on it. Anybody familiar with Thomas Auto Service?

There was trans fluid sprayed quite a bit around the trans and the cooler, but I couldn’t get a read on where it had actually come from.

Long post, but what I could use is some advice or maybe anybody in the area who might even be able to take a quick visual at it today perhaps? I’m hoping it’s a blown seal or hose or something “easy”. Or any contact names you might know in the area who could offer advice, etc?

Thanks….. Don

[Red Ryder]

A few possibilities but I would certainly check the external transmission cooler and its hose connections first.
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic)

[purtypitcher]

That's what I'm hoping. There did seem to be a lot of fluid sprayed around in that area but it had mostly all dripped out before I was able to look under there.

[jlrftype7]

Shop will possibly refilled your trans after washing everything off with brake cleaner, then briefly run the engine to locate your source of leakage, unless it’s so apparent, like a split or punctured hose, that diag isn’t fully need until the visible leak gets fixed first.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[MarkWard]

There really not a common failure that would pump the fluid out of the transmission stock. You’ve added an external cooler which as suggested is the likely failure. It could be safely bypassed with a loop of high pressure hose to get you on your way.

[AndyBees]

Well, we just got back from the Smokies.

I was in the general area most all afternoon today.

Unfortunately, I do not use a smart phone. So, I did not see your message until I got home. Hmm.

Anyway, I am tending to agree with what others are saying. Likely a hose or the cooler.

Keep us posted.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[purtypitcher]

Thanks for the replies. Yup, loose hose clamp on the trans cooler and it dislodged. They had it ready by 11:00am, pretty great to squeeze me in on a Monday morning. And definitely can’t remember the last time I had just a $69 car repair! So, another thing to add to the “check often” list.

[SCM]

Do you have a picture you could post? I ask because my trans (also rebuilt by GTA and running the "GoWesty-style" trans cooler) doesn't use any clamps to connect the hoses to the cooler. They use some sort of barbed fitting.

I worry that your cooler is maybe not connected properly (wrong diameter hoses, etc) if it needs additional clamps.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[purtypitcher]

I’ll crawl under there when I’m not in the woods and pouring rain and try to get a pic. The trans, trans cooler, Peloquin, and rebuilt Sub 2.5L were all installed by Small Car, they’ve done a bunch so I hope it’s right. The guy at the service counter today said it was same as a regular stainless hose clamp that you simply tighten up, but now you’ve got me curios!

[SCM]

Here's what mine looks like. I had one of the brass fittings leak a little bit but not the hoses.

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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[purtypitcher]

Mine is off to the side, circular in shape, and fan only comes on via thermostat when needed. I assume trans fluid always flows through it, and its fan gives an extra airflow boost when it switches on. I’ll definitely take a close look when I get home, will be a few days. Is yours always “on”? Not thermostat controlled? Is there a fan?

[kamzcab86]

[jlrftype7]

[SCM]

[jlrftype7]

[SCM]

[jlrftype7]

[purtypitcher]

Kamz, thanks for those Small Car links. Yes, mine is their circular "Supreme" cooler with the thermostat. I just got home from the Smokies and will look things over when I have a free day. I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but the previous owner included the GTA warranty notes. They apparently have a specific warranty for a Small Car/Subaru/GTA installation, I'll have to look at it again. I recall it requires 30,000 mile fluid changes and a specific fluid which I can't remember until I look at the notes.

Also, previous owner said GTA built the trans with "Subaru turbo" spec, but I don't know what that includes. Mine is a standard 2.5 built by Small Car.

[SCM]

[quote="purtypitcher"]

Also, previous owner said GTA built the trans with "Subaru turbo" spec, but I don't know what that includes. Mine is a standard 2.5 built by Small Car.[/]

I bet it’s the same as what I have. I’ll try to remember to post a photo of the build sheet but I think it’s basically an extra clutch pack or two on the forward gears. Another for reverse, and replacing plastic bushings with brass versions. Maybe another's planetary gear somewhere too?

Again , I’ll try to remember to to post the real specs later on.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[purtypitcher]

Thanks SCM. I've had it on my ToDo to call GTA and inquire what the turbo build means. I'm slammed for a few days with stuff but will check in with them later and report back. Also will let them know about the clamp failure that spit out all the fluid.