The mechanic recommended that I use a small wire brush to clean around the
fill plug, spray some PB Blaster around it and let it sit for a while, then
brush it again if needed. This will give you more chances to be able to
remove it.

On Wed, Jun 22, 2022 at 9:56 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:

> Great directions.
> That should do it for finding the fill plug.
>
> I take it you just fill the trans up to the bottom of the fill hole.
>
> Any recommendations on favorite manual Trans gear oil?
>
> Eric Caron
> 84 manual
>
>
>
> > On Jun 22, 2022, at 12:47 PM, Gene P <olgreywoof@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> > I have not gone out to refresh memory, but on the passenger side and
> hiding behind the shift lever.  So find where the horizontal shift rod
> connects to the vertical flat lever with the ball.  Behind that lever.  Or
> … find the place on the passenger side of the transaxle where it would be
> most difficult to get a fat hex wrench – that’s where the plug is.
> >
> > gp
> >
> > ‘87 T3
> > ‘81 R65
> > ‘61 TR3
> >
> > From: Eric Caron
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2022 6:39 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Manual transmission lesson request
> >
> > Thanks Bob,
> >
> >        so much easier then the Auto transmission.
> >
> > I found the drain plug no problem.
> >
> > Where is the fill plug?  I’ll probably find it with the next trip under
> the van but knowing what side and about how high up is helpful.
> > I was looking for something that felt like the drain plug.
> >
> > Any favorite manual oils out there?  Can I use the same as that in the
> auto final drive?
> >
> > My neighbors are getting used to seeing my feet sticking out from the
> van as they walk by.  They now expect a waive from  feet.
> >
> > Eric Caron
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Jun 22, 2022, at 6:55 AM, Mbob1950 <mbob1950@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >>
> >> Make sure your hex tool fits tightly into the drain plug. Plug may need
> cleaning.
> >> Some hex tools have rounded edges on the tip. I have found that
> grinding the tip rounded edges flat will give a better bite on the plug for
> removal.
> >> Remove the fill plug. Remove the drain and catch old oil.
> >> Clean drain plug and magnet and reinsert.
> >> Fill with new gear lube. And insert fill plug.
> >>
> >>
> >> Bob
> >>
> >> 1986 Syncro ‘Bullet’
> >> 1991 WESTY ‘Sylvan’
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Jun 21, 2022, at 23:36, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Good point! And, not something I would have thought about, but I will
> now remember.
> >>>
> >>> And, should I ask you how you know this?
> >>>
> >>> Now what is the rest of the process?
> >>>
> >>> Eric Caron
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> On Jun 21, 2022, at 10:39 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Rule #1 when changing the oil of a manual transmission is removing
> the top
> >>>> filler plug first.
> >>>> If you can't do that then you still oil in there to drive a shop. If
> you
> >>>> drain the oil and can't refill then you will need a tow.
>