Changing ATF/Trans Oils - Hints? Tips etc

Bookwus · 26 August 2007, 01:25

Hiya Lee,

Mine are bolts. Take a fuzzy look at a sample...................

And Sean............all my bolts are exactly the same which leads me to believe that these are OEM (at least for 1970)

68autobug · 26 August 2007, 11:47

Hi Mike,

thats too fuzzy for Me, could You send the full set over to Me for inspection?

You should have one special bolt...
same thread length but about double the length.. 50mm
it goes in the middle of the pan on the front side...
I believe it holds something in place...
I 'm only guessing...

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

beep beep... here I come...

volkenstein · 26 August 2007, 15:44

Mike,
Mine all look like that and my spare trans is from a '70 model. Except for this one long one.

Lee,
You have that long screw/bolt as well? I was suspicious of mine because it just seemed out of place. I can't work out whether it butts up against the pinion bearing or is a second fixing method for the little spring clip that slips in under the pinion bearing retaining nut.

I'll try (camera is having a hernia at the mo) and post up my bolts.

Ta
SEan

68autobug · 28 August 2007, 08:31

Well Guys,
I went up behind the shed to look at another old spare transmission I have, o get one screw out of the bottom plate...
and low and behold.... it has bolts....
including two 1/4 inch [guess] imperial bolts... maybe 5/16" ??

The number of the tranny is BA 021 6090
I've never pulled it apart, so maybe now is the time...

Lee

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

volkenstein · 28 August 2007, 14:26

Guys,
Here's mine from the spare. The box was made in '69. Also, check that long bolt!

Regards
Sean

Chris the Eagle · 28 October 2007, 19:16

I have a quick question, I have found a high mileage ATF that is to replace Dexron 1,2, and 3. Is this safe to use? The label says nothing about VW however there are many other brands on the label. Also, is 90W gear oil suitable for the needs of the trans oil? Thanks

volkenstein · 29 October 2007, 05:31

Chris,
ATF type "A" has long been superseded by Dexron 11. If your ATF oil supersedes DX11 and says so then use it. 90W? Depends. Is it suitable for
a transaxle type transmission? Synthetic or Mineral? EP rating? Lot's of factors. In my original comments I mention Castrol products since they are readily available world wide and one (VMX 80) is specifically for transaxles including VW's. LSX90 was recommended to me as a more than acceptable substitute.
I know Mike has his fave product that he can get in the US and if he's happy with it then you should be happy using it!

Wasn't that a "no real answer"

....

HTH
Volkenstein

Bookwus · 29 October 2007, 06:19

Hiya Chris,

As long as Sean got me into this............................

I use Sta-Lube Hypoid Gear Oil SAE 85W90. It's available by the quart at your local NAPA parts dealer. This is also a GL-4 rated hypoid oil. There has been much (vehement) discussion as to whether one can run the more modern GL-5 rated hypoid oils in the VW gearbox (both manual and autostick). It was thought that the GL-5 rated oils would deteriorate the yellow metal washers used in these transmissions, And apparently that was the case with early formulations of GL-5. As I understand the situation now, GL-5 should be compatible with VW innards. Me? I'll stick with GL-4

68autobug · 29 October 2007, 07:58

Well, I made the big {read expensive] decision to run synthetic Castrol Syntax 75/90 oil... in My replacement gearbox...
I'm believing that if the gearbox is OK when i install it, then it will stay that way.

otherwise, the Molydebenium Disulfide additive will be used...
as thats what has kept My gearbox going for 3 years...
and it was so noisy at the start , You couldn't hear the radio at all...
and the noise has slowly lowered, to an acceptable whine when accelerating..
and I do use the radio/cd player.....

cheers

Lee -

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

68autobug · 29 October 2007, 08:04

Quote from: volkenstein on 17 August 2007, 15:33
Lee,
I'd go easy (which you have anyway) on tightening with Teflon tape on there. The plugs are tapered. A small smear of Loctite Master Pipe sealant is what I've been using.
Regards
Sean

well, I had already put some gear oil and Moly additive into My replacement gearbox,
so I drained it and filled it with Castrol syntax sythetic oil..
I didn't like the way the teflon tape had sealed the drain plug..
the teflon naturally is cut into thin pieces by the threads..
so, I've used Loctite pipe sealant this time...

I'll keep the teflon tape for the taps....

cheers

Lee -

Daylight saving time started yesterday and I hate it already....

Chris the Eagle · 30 October 2007, 00:50

Thanks guys,

I have had a hard time finding the correct ATF to put in my VW because of my location. I live in central Mississippi and here no one has ever heard of an A/S. I will try to see if my local parts store can order the oil or they may have it in stock.

Bookwus · 30 October 2007, 05:49

Hiya Chris,

Remember that the AutoStick will require two types of lubrication.

The ATF is for the torque converter only. It needs to have Dexron (I, II, or III) and that is easily found at any parts store. It goes into the ATF reservoir on the right side of the engine compartment.

The hypoid oil SAE 85W90 is for the gearbox. It's what most folks would think of as gear oil. It goes in the side of the transaxle through a 17 mm hole plugged by a 17mm allen plug.

68autobug · 30 October 2007, 08:03

Yes, many people get confused when you say gearbox oil for an auto...

they switch from 90 hypoid oil to Dexron ATF....

I've given up mentioning that My auto gearbox has hypoid oil in it...
it just too confusing...
and having to explain how the semi auto works is just too confusing for many people..
especially if they are behind a counter trying to sell You oil... errr ATF..

Lee

didget69 · 23 March 2008, 03:56

Quote from: 68autobug on 24 August 2007, 17:49
Hi Sean,
I believe if Your long bolt with no thread on the end...
is a bolt , then its probably factory....

unless someone has machined the end of a long 7mm bolt...
if You could find one... lol

Mike,
Do You have bolts on the gearbox pan...??

Lee

Lee - new member here... Regarding the one long bolt in the pan; I just removed the hex head bolts on my AS trans pan & all bolts were the same length...

Bryan in NC

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

Bookwus · 23 March 2008, 04:24

Hiya Bryan,

Welcome to the forum! Always good to have one more AutoSticker online.

Your pan bolts were all the same length? Interesting. How about a little more information...........................

Are all of the bolts you removed the same? I'm thinking that one (or some) may have been replaced. Is that a possibility? And, what year car are you driving?