On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 1:18 PM, aatransaxle<daryl@aatransaxle.com> wrote:
> Michael.The vent is a tiny hole on the drivers side front top corner kinda
> above the mount.. Its not very large or obvious. Its just inboard of the
> topmost bolt that holds that front cover on.

Thanks, Daryl.  I found the vent.  I can stick a wire into it about
1/2 inch before it runs into an obstruction (probably by design) that
allows it to go no deeper.  There was very little dirt/grease in this
outer portion of the vent.  If I used something more flexible (pipe
cleaner?) could I get farther into the transmission?

I am doing this in an attempt to eliminate internal pressure as the
cause for a gear oil leak.  It is leaking from the left side drive
flange seal.  I have installed three seals and a good used drive
flange and still have a leak.  The leak is present whether driving or
parked.

I purchased the used drive flange from Weddle.  The person that I
talked to on the phone told me that the left side flanges tend to move
in and out of the case as the transmission wears, making a relatively
wide groove where the seal contacts the flange.  The drive flange that
I removed was noticeably worn in this pattern.

In your transmission guru opinion, what are my chances of stopping the
leak without rebuilding or replacing the transmission?  I have one
more new seal in my spare parts pile.

--
Michael Snow
1982 Westfalia 1.9TD
http://slowmachine82.blogspot.com/