I have read everyones response so far, and I know about the differential and
the 17mm and how that stuff has a sick smell to it ie not healthy, its just
that big round thing with the wire clamp on it that puzzles me, the trannie
level is always just fine....

>From: Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: ATF and Final Drive
>Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2002 18:25:41 -0500
>
>  Hi Mark - unfortunately I have been learning more about the final drive
>and tranny than I ever wanted to know - or at least not by breaking down
>repeatedly.  The final drive is part of the differential.  You have gear
>oil in there that is thick and stinky.  The two should never mix (unless
>you are driving my personal sh** box - ha ha - "i love my van, i love my
>van, i love my van....).  To check your gear oil level in the final drive,
>you have to remove a 17mm bolt on the side of it (passenger side for an
>'87).  The oil level should be just below the hole.  If you are leaking
>tranny fluid, you should check to see if the hoses on the cooler above it
>are tight.  You may have a slow ATF leak, but I would still try to trouble
>shoot where its coming from because it will only get worse over time and
>you don't want to replace your tranny any sooner than you need to - trust
>me on this.  It may be the seal on you tranny pan is leaking if its old.
>Talk to Ken at Van Again - he sells a tranny filter and gasket kit and he
>could walk you through how to replace it if necessary.  Just make sure you
>do not get any dirt into it - very bad.  Or even easier - have your VW
>mechanic replace it for you.
>
>Good luck-
>Peace,
>Marla
>'87 Westy Van "Morrison"
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Mark Dorm
>Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 10:51 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: ATF and Final Drive
>
>I have this leak. Its red and it doesn't smell strong. So its not the oil
>and its not the differential. It must be the ATF. However, the ATF level is
>always just fine. So does the dipstick for the ATF not reflect the level in
>the final drive?
>
>I'm not even sure what the final drive is, although I bet Robert Blake's Ex
>could.
>
>I've looked at that wide disc with a swing clamp over it, which I think is
>the final drive, or the cover for it. Never have removed it though, not
>sure what will happen if I do.
>
>
>
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