Date:         Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:59:30 -0700
Reply-To:     jbange <hfinn@INGRATES.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jbange <hfinn@INGRATES.NET>
Subject:      Re: ATF filter: urban legend?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

>>Nah, it's there. I changed mine just yesterday. It's a flat round screen
>>thingy INSIDE the transmission. You have to pull the bottom pan off the
>>tranny to get to it. It usually comes in the same package with the big
>>rubber transmission pan gasket.
>Then WTF? How come Bentley's doesn't mention it anywhere that I can find?

I think it shows up in one of those exploded diagrams in the Bentley (I'm
at work; I'll check when I get home), but they don't really even mention
it. I only found out about it when I ordered the pan gasket to replace
mine, which was leaking. I suspect it's one of those annoying "anyone who
needs to know should know already" things where the Bentley assumes you're
an experienced professional mechanic.

>Is there a procedure online that describes how to pull, inspect and
>replace this filter? I've never opened a tranny before.

Big, flat, square pan on the bottom of the tranny (not to be confused with
the angled pan with a humped bottom on the final drive assembly) held on
with bolts all around the edge. Drain the ATF, unbolt and remove the pan,
curse as red goo drips on you, and there you should see the filter and its
gasket. It's essentially just a round flat screen filter, so a visual
inspection should be enough to tell if it's clogged with crap. Naturally
the Bentley has labelled the filter, filter gasket, and pan gasket as
"always replace" parts, but you can probably get away with reusing the old
stuff while you're troubleshooting.

John Bange
'90 Vanagon "Geldsauger"