Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:16:38 -0400
Reply-To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject: Re: Refilling manual transmission fluid
In-Reply-To: <d58.29dcfaf4.360623d4@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Thanks everyone for their helpful replies.
The diagram in the bentley had me looking on the TOP of the transmission
for the filler. Once I hit google for advice I got a better idea of how
to go about it.
Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate how much my ramps would flow the
fluid to the front of the van. When I removed the filler plug it gushed
at least a quart onto my driveway before I could run for a basin. (I
always was told to remove the filler first, so that I won't get stuck
with a dry transmission if for some reason the drain comes out and the
filler won't.)
Man, does that stuff ever reek! Once I had the filler out I removed the
drain, and the plug had a LOT of metal filings on it:
http://www.pottsfamily.ca/Vanagon/transplug.jpg
But at least the chunks are small. And Frank was right, it isn't getting
any quieter. Is there anyone here able to help haul a transmission from
Allentown PA to Westies at Watkins?
Next on the agenda: replace the temp sender II and change the engine
oil. Sure is a lovely day out there today!!
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca
Frank Condelli wrote:
> In a message dated 19/09/2008 9:45:05 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> Greg, yes, very simple. There are two 17mm socket plugs. Use a
> 17mm allen key, cut off a piece about 1 ~ 2" long with box spanner. One plug is
> dead centre bottom just behind the bell housing to drain and the other to
> fill is behind the shift rod on the RH side sort of midway up. Make sure you
> can remove the filler before draining. Let drain for at least 1/2 hour and
> have the front jacked up slightly. Use only Redline MT90 GL4 Synthetic oil to
> refill. It is by far the best for this tranny. Have the van sitting level.
> Fill with a long plastic hose until overflowing. Let drain until no more
> is coming out of the fill hole. Use anti-seize on both drain and fill plugs
> for future ease of removal. If the tranny is whining it could very well be
> the input shaft main bearing has been scored. This bearing being very large
> and robust will most likely last a long time even though it has been scored.
> So, don't be surprised if the whining does not go away. Is there leaking
> from the seals or case anywhere that may have lowered the fluid level to have
> caused the bearing to score ? That bearing is the one most susceptible to
> damage from lack of oil.
>
