I don't find that the magnetic drain plug ever looks like an Xmas tree..
they look more like a small golf ball.

a magnetized shere offerous metalic particles.
About the diameter of a dime.
Rather normal too .
I find dozens of say 150K miles 4-speeds on them with this much metal on
the magnetic drain plug.
And they're fine with a good change of synthetic gear oil.

btw..you don't have to drain the trans to check the drain plug.
Just pop in the filler plug quickly, while you examine and clean
thedrain plug.

scott
turbovans.
On 10/24/2012 10:49 AM, Derek Burgess wrote:
> if your plug looks like a xmas tree? what do you mean?
>
> derek burgess
> 412-417-9435
> derekburgess.com
> vanagon.posterous.com
> On Oct 24, 2012 10:44 AM, "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <
> kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Check transmission fluid.  Drain and change if it hasnt been done in a
>> while.  If drain plug looks like a Christmas tree then your van needs the
>> present of a rebuilt tranny :-)
>>
>> Ken Wilford
>> John 3:16
>> www.vanagain.com
>> On Oct 24, 2012 1:13 AM, "Steve" <loudmouth_70@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>> New 'rrrrrrrring' sound in my 82 1.9na diesel 4 speed vanagon.  Looked
>>> over the engine for any smoking parts, thought maybe something might have
>>> been rubbing on something.  Nothing at an idle.  Not noticeable in 1st
>>> gear, mostly hear in 2nd and still present in 3rd and 4th, but mostly
>> 2nd.
>>> it's a deep whine/rrrrring sound. It's strong and consistent, maybe it
>>> fades in 3rd and 4th as the engine/road noise increase?   Nothing
>>> noticeable at this point with the transmission and i can't tell that
>>> there's a loss of power, don't have much to lose!  definite rrrrrring
>> sound
>>> though.  any ideas on where to start looking around?
>>>
>>>
>>> thanks, Steve
>>>
>>> 82 Diesel 1.9 NA
>>> Seattle, WA
>>>