Hi,
   When I bought my '84 the PO said that the AT had just been rebuilt.
I talked to the guy who did it and he said that the seal between the
differential and the AT had let go causing the clutches in the AT to be
burned out.  His work was not very thorough and I eventually had to
rebuild it again.
   With my present '91, I am paranoid about this problem.  I use
synthetic lube in the final drive, thinking that it would do less damage
if it leaked into the AT.  I also try to change both fluids every couple
of years.

   If you have changed the AT fluid and put lube in the final drive, try
to drive it for a while if possible; things may clear up.  Four out of
five of the VW ATs that I have had have been slow to engage in reverse
when cold.

Larry A.

Cary Chiang wrote:

> Anyway, I was surprised when the van would not shift into reverse.
> After many tries, I eventually got it to engage, but not reliably.
> The 3 forward drive gears seem to engage fine.  I checked the ATF
> level on the dipstick, and found the level to be very high, about
> 5.5 inches above the "cold" level.   I checked the differential
> fluid level, by sticking my pinky finger into the fill hole, but
> could not detect any fluid at all (could be 1.5 inches or more low
> on fluid).  Bentley says that the seal between the transmission and
> the differential is likely eaking.  I drained the ATF fluid, and it
> looks "normal" red.
>
> QUESTIONS--
> Are there any other possibilities for the high ATF fluid level, and
> low diff. fluid levels, besides the leaking seal?
>
> If the seal is leaking, would the differential fluid have leaked
> into the transmssion with the van parked for the last few months,
> or does fluid transfer mainly take place only when the trans. /
> differential is operating?
>
> Assuming the seal is the culprit, and not knowing how far the van
> may have been driven in this condition,  what are the chances that
> the transmission may have already suffered permanent damage?
>
> I really don't have the time to investigate & replace the seal
> before the end of this month, and I really want to drive the van
> about 20 miles to get that safety inspection sticker.  If I refill
> the ATF fluid and diff. fluid levels to their proper levels, and
> the reverse gear begins work again, what are the chances of my
> damaging the transmission by driving it 20-30 miles with the
> leaking seal?
>
> Any advice or suggestions from listees who have experience with
> Vanagon auto transmissions & leaking seals is greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Cary
>