I agree with Dennis, this is TMI.  Just spend your money on replacing the fluid with synthetic (suitable for Dexron type), which is what German Transaxle requires in their rebuilds. It will take three drain, drive, and fill cycles to get most of the old stuff out of the TC though.  I use Red Line, but there are other good ones, and I had a drain plug brazed into the pan.  It's really a mess without one.

If you want to go the extra mile, get an aftermarket cooler, but it's not necessary for a stock application, only when you increase the power into the box with a Subaru or something.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dennis Haynes
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 6:49 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Auto tranny cooling

I have to ask why you need something else to get anxiety over? Choices are to drill the pan and use a bulkhead fitting or drill the side of the housing and tap for the 10mm or 1/8-17 pipe thread for the sender chosen. These transmissions rarely give trouble and when they do repairs are not that hard. Overheating is usually a sign of failure or abuse. 

Dennis
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Rodgers
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 4:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Auto tranny cooling

I would like to install a temp guage to monitor the tranny oil temp but don't know how to approach this.  Has anyone done this ? Can you describe it or provide a link?

Thanks,

John