That is not an unusual amount of fuzz on the drain magnet at all. No
great cause for alarm, assuming the oil has not been changed for a long
while. If you wipe the fuzz off on a paper towel or tissue you can make
sure the pieces are all tiny. Bigger pieces are a cause for more alarm.

I have changed old oil on many Vanagon transmissions and found that same
big ball of fuzz. Most of them lived on for years longer with just new
fluid. Even ones making whines or growls can do so for years, assuming
stock engine power levels.

Mark

Greg Potts wrote:
> Thanks everyone for their helpful replies.
>
> The diagram in the bentley had me looking on the TOP of the transmission
> for the filler. Once I hit google for advice I got a better idea of how
> to go about it.
>
> Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate how much my ramps would flow the
> fluid to the front of the van. When I removed the filler plug it gushed
> at least a quart onto my driveway before I could run for a basin. (I
> always was told to remove the filler first, so that I won't get stuck
> with a dry transmission if for some reason the drain comes out and the
> filler won't.)
>
> Man, does that stuff ever reek! Once I had the filler out I removed the
> drain, and the plug had a LOT of metal filings on it:
> http://www.pottsfamily.ca/Vanagon/transplug.jpg
>
> But at least the chunks are small. And Frank was right, it isn't getting
> any quieter. Is there anyone here able to help haul a transmission from
> Allentown PA to Westies at Watkins?
>
> Next on the agenda: replace the temp sender II and change the engine
> oil. Sure is a lovely day out there today!!
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts