Yep, these things were almost impossible to shift in cold weather, and
usually would grind to boot.  It's what drove me to try Red Line many
years ago.  In fact, it was me who told Darly's predecessor at AA about
it. Reducing lubricant was a poor fix to improve the shifting with the
thick 90w gear oil of the period.  We have better lubricants now.  Go
with Red Line MT-90 up to the fill hole.

Zoran Mladen wrote:
>
> I was looking at the Bentley the other night and found something interesting
> regarding trans oil level.  Bentley claims that in an effort to ease
> shifting, the recommended level for oil (on I believe it was 85 on), was
> actually 15mm below the oil fill plug.  Bentley specifically states that the
> oil plug was not moved down 15mm because VW did not want to change the
> transmission mold.  Anyone else see this or have an opinion?
>
> Z
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Daryl Christensen [mailto:aatransaxle@JUNO.COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 11:51 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Tranny oil-level (AA Trans take on the subject)
>
> As I see it...the VW personages tried to improve on the shifting whilst
> using Dino oil and not synthetic...With Redline or any good quality
> modern synthetic, the point is moot due to the thinner viscosity  of
> modern oils...When VW was trying to "modify" the shifting it may have
> been to improve the old stuff that was truly 90 wt and not the 75 or so
> weight oils we now use..
>  I know many shops that just put any old thing in there and fill till it
> dribbles out the fill hole...never have I had a customer with a problem
> that I am aware of from filling it that way. I firmly believe that just
> changing it once in a while is the key to longevity...as the trans wears,
> a synthetic may help the shifting more than a fresh rebuit trans. I
> haven't put anything other that Redline in for years, so can't vouch for
> how most shift with plain old 90 wt in 'em.
>  Just change it every 30K and use synthetic if available (esp in colder
> climates)
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> Duvall, WA.(Seattle area)
> (425) 788-4070
> 1-877-377-0773 toll free
> http://www.aatransaxle.com (web site)

--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle

'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
'01 Toyota Tacoma (Something I don't have to fix!)

Personal mechanic for:
'70 MGB GT (Daughter's)

Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Was daughter's, now son's)
'64 MGB (Son's)

Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT