There is a process required around checking engine oil. The oil level should
always be checked with the engine (and oil) warm and after shutting the
engine off you need to allow enough time for the oil to drain back down into
the pan. At least 5 minutes. With the oil cold which it is after only 5 to
10 minutes of no load operation the high viscosity will make it take a long
time to drain back down if it does at all.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael
Sent: Saturday, April 9, 2016 7:02 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: The hits keep coming

About the engine oil, I am by no means a mechanic it just seemed strange
that it was all the way full and run for about ten minutes and then was half
gone and now the diff is basically full.

So I thought it might be possible. Sounds like it isn't. :/

> On Apr 9, 2016, at 6:08 PM, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )
<scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
>
> I'm no auto trans expert,
> but I've messed around with a Vanagon auto trans with symptoms similar
> to yours.....
> fluids get in the wrong place, and it won't go, or it jerks, or it
> doesn't shift right.
>
> Unless someone gets into that trans and does serious work ..
> there are only two routes to happiness again ..
>
> a good used working auto trans,
> or a proper rebuild.
> Sounds like your trans is toast to me. Kaput, Pau.  Done.
>
> You're gonna have to bit the bullet ...I like German Transaxle in Bend
> OR for my trans rebuilds.
>
> Can't imagine how engine oil could get to the auto trans differential
area.
>
> Scott
>
>> On 4/9/2016 7:35 AM, Michael wrote:
>> Many of you have replied with your expertise on the matter of a blown
tranny on an 88 auto. Or at least those kind of symptoms.
>>
>> Now here is a new development. I wanted to check to see if I could tell
if ATF was mixing with the differential so I unscrewed the drain plug and
oil literally came gushing out. When I closed it after filling a couple
weeks ago,it was a trickle which I believe means it was filled with close to
the 1.3 quarts that is recommended.
>>
>> Now, I also changed out the engine oil (it's an ej22 Subaru) and filled
that up right. Well, the engine oil is half gone and I believe that's what
was in the differential section. No visible leaks anywhere.
>>
>> Hard to tell if ATF was mixed in based on the Amberness of synthetic
engine oil and the purple color of the diff oil. Plus, it's quite surprising
when oil comes flying at your face while under the van.
>>
>> I don't really know what this could mean other than probably a good deal
of money to fix it.
>>
>> Any ideas on the matter?
>>
>> Mike