Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 07:04:24 -0800
Reply-To: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: A/T problems -- fluid level high
In-Reply-To: <BAY405-EAS2751114ECE3F22033E7A1A4A0290@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Well, I feel like a bit of an idjit. I thought I'd take Dennis' advice
and follow the prescribed procedure for checking the ATF (hot engine,
running, on the level) just to be sure, and what the heck -- the ATF level
is fine! Right on the higher mark on the dipstick.
So why was (and presumably still is) the ATF level so high when the engine
was off and cold? I thought I'd read that the lower mark on the dipstick
was for cold readings and the higher mark for hot readings. Not true?
Anyway, this is a big relief. I'm thinking I should get that stock ATF
cooler out of the picture anyway.
Rick
On Sun, Feb 22, 2015 at 4:36 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> Just to clear things up, how are you checking the fluid? Van needs to be
> level especially side to side and the ATF is checked with the engine
> running.
>
> Dennis,
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Rick Cooper
> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2015 3:30 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: A/T problems -- fluid level high
>
> Thanks guys for the recommendations. Dennis, yours was especially useful
> since it caused me to rethink my diagnosis. The ATF on the dipstick is
> nice and clean, no obvious corruption at all. I assumed the trans cooler
> would still be the culprit since oil floats on water. But maybe it's not
> the cooler. I'll follow Larry's advice of draining via the filler tube
> opening and that should give me a better idea of the state of the ATF.
>
> Likely won't get to this until next weekend but I'll report back then with
> my findings.
>
> Thanks again for the help,
>
> Rick
>
> On Sun, Feb 22, 2015 at 9:00 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > If the fluid is contaminated with coolant it will be an obvious milky
> > white mess. If not look for differential fluid or a bad valve body,
> > torque converter or clogged vent.
> >
> > Dennis,
> > From my phone.
> > ------------------------------
> > From: Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@GMAIL.COM>
> > Sent: 2/22/2015 11:00 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: A/T problems -- fluid level high
> >
> > After having the auto transmission in my '87 2WD overhauled last
> > month, I noticed the ATF fluid level creeping up. I've only driven the
> > vehicle three or four times, for a total of maybe 50 miles. When I
> > checked today the fluid level was way, way up -- maybe 4 inches up the
> > dipstick! I'm guessing the stock cooler has failed, and that I ought
> > to have replaced it at the time of overhauling the transmission.
> >
> > What are the next steps now? Can I resolve the problem (pending
> > installing a new cooler) by simply taking the stock cooler out of the
> > equation? Is this as simple as connecting the coolant hoses together
> > with a coupling or perhaps removing one and connecting the remaining
> > hose to both connectors, thus creating a loop?
> >
> > What about the polluted ATF? Will a drain and refill eliminate the
> > problem or do I need a more rigorous flushing procedure? Any and all
> > advice much appreciated!
> >
> > Rick
> >
>
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