ATF needs to be checked with the engine running, everything warm, and the
van level. Driven the fluid in the torque converter will expand. There are
two vents on top of the transmission assembly. One is for the ATF section,
the other for the final drive. If the vents are blocked or plugged when the
transmission warm up the air and fluid expansion will combine to push the
oil  back out through the dipstick tube.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Craig Cowan
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 12:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Spewing ATF from dipstick

My 90 project bus is apparently leaking ATF from the transmission dipstick.
The car has sat for years and it's possible that the previous owners had
overfilled it. It's up to the bend in the dipstick, quite high. Should I
assume this or bleed it down? Is there anyway that coolant or gear oil is
getting in there causing this rising fluid level?

Thanks!

- Craig.

Sent from my iPhone