Club 80-90 Forums

Yes I know what you mean - the auto box has always been at the back of my mind and I have always checked it.

I did notice a strange thing today tho!! In the past whenever I have checked the atf level at standstill/cold it has always been right down the bottom of the stick below the low level mark - every time. Then when I get the engine warm and check the level at tick-over, as it says to do in the manual, it has always been OK except for when the torque converter seal was leaking and I had to top it up a bit prior to changing the seal.

HOWEVER - today when I checked the level at standstill/cold it was up on the Max mark - never seen it this high before on cold?? where has the extra oil come from - it was fine before - my first thought again here is water getting into the box, increasing the level and blowing it through the seal but the ATF is clear and pink, not opaque and no froth.

Just something I noticed - more confused by the minute

I usually drive mine for about 3 or 4 miles before I check the level to get it warmed up. I think it says that in the Haynes but I haven't got it with me at the mo. I've tried the idle thing too, but it's better to drive it I think, seems to get the level right, or at least consistant. I drive it the same set distance - to work - so I know it'll give the same comparative reading everytime. I do find it odd that you have to warm it up first and not just check it cold like engine oil but hey ho, I'm sure the VW engineers know better than me!