Date:         Mon, 6 Feb 2006 09:59:10 -0800
Reply-To:     Stephen DeMocko <SDeMocko@FDSMFG.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen DeMocko <SDeMocko@FDSMFG.COM>
Subject:      Re: AUTO TRANS
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Volks,
 
I hope my original post didn't start anything negative.  I did want to
write and say that all seems well in my final drive.  There was no hint
of auto fluid in the gear oil, so I gust buttoned her back up.  While
under the van, I noticed a leak, from my formally believed to be, leak
free van. It looks like the loss of auto fluid was coming from the lower
bolt on pan.  I thought a few months ago when replacing the auto filter
that four bolts didn't seem to be enough for a good distributed load on
that pan seal.  I had been disappointed to think those back to back
seals between the auto and diff were leaking as I replaced those not to
long ago.  I would also say that pulling the auto to replace those seal
is not that difficult a job.  It does help to have some one else there
to lower and then again raise the auto back into position.  I know
others say it is not that costly or difficult to have the auto
completely gone through or to have someone do it for you, but for the
cost of the seals and the time of only an afternoon replacement time, I
am under the opinion that I would reinstall the ok running high mileage
auto back in, and leave major service for another time.  Good luck to
the others that wrote in saying they believe their vans might be
suffering from faulty seals.
 
Stephen DeMocko
('85 Westy Luci)
 
 
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Blake Heinlein [mailto:blakeheinlein@gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 8:59 AM
To: Stephen DeMocko; Vanagon List
Subject: Re: AUTO TRANS
 
Stephen,

1.) I don't know the exact quantity but it's slightly less than 2 quarts
for the final drive gear box.

2.)  Take a look at the pictures I took while resealing my trans.
http://www.home.surewest.net/heinlein/trans.htm

3.)  Final drive gear oil is usually yellow/gold, more brown if really
old.  Transmission fluid is usually red.  If you open your final drive
and you have redish oil coming out and you might have a leak from your
transmission into the final drive.  With your van level and multiple
checks over time if you see that the final drive oil level is increasing
and your not adding oil and your transmission is loosing oil then most
likely you have a leak between the two. 

Be careful torquing the final drive plate, it's an easy place to have
oil leaks if it's over torqued.  You'll most likely want to replace the
gasket when you put the cover back on, about $25.

Hope this helps. 

-- 
Blake Heinlein
1984 Westfalia
Sacramento, CA
blakeheinlein@gmail.com <mailto:blakeheinlein@gmail.com> 
http://www.home.surewest.net/heinlein 
On 2/2/06, Stephen DeMocko < SDeMocko@fdsmfg.com
<mailto:SDeMocko@fdsmfg.com> > wrote:
Volks,

I wondered if any of you out there know this info off the top of your
heads. One, what is the quantity of gear oil held in an '85 automatic
final drive? Two, are those back to back seals in the final drive the 
only place automatic fluid could be going in a vehicle that doesn't leak
a drop.  Three, when I drain the gear oil from the final drive this
weekend will I be able to visually tell I have auto fluid in it? Or will

there only be the additional volume based on the fluid level at the
lower edge of the fill plug?  I replaced those seals about 6 mo. ago.  I
have fluid loss at the rate of reduction from the high mark to the low 
mark on the dip stick about every two to three weeks.  Thanks in advance
to those who spend time considering my questions.

Stephen DeMocko
('85 Westy Luci)