Automatic Gearbox Oil topping up

[DreadedDev 0]

Hi,

I am pretty sure the gearbox Oil on my Golf MkIII VR6 Auto needs topping up as when i pull the dipstick out (once everything is nice and hot) it is below the indented part of the dipstick .. it looks a bit like this ==>--<== and i think the oil should show on the -- bit.... if this makes any sense at all....

First question, as it's an automatic is this gearbox oil (it looks very black) or is it very dirty ATF... and how do you top it up.... i can't see a filler cap anywhere for it and the owners guide says the usual "it should be done by VW).....

I did a search on here to see if there was a guide (under the premium members bit) but can't find anything.... any help greatly appreciated as I'm a bit of a novice but am willing to give anything a go!! I was wondering about putting a funnel in the hole where the dipstick goes and pouring it in there, but thought this might have disastrous consequences.... I want to do it asap as I'm worries the low oil could be messing up the auto box causing me more expensive repairs later on....

Thanks

Ian *-)

[Antihero1981 8]

the auto system should be a sealed system as far as i remember.Dont think you supposed to change it and if you do then its a VW job....not many places will do it

Think you looking at the oil dipstick..

pics would be better lol

[CALICO 130]

mine is sealed but i think the earlier ones wernt should be safe to top up through the dipstick hole to the required level

[DreadedDev 0]

It's a 93/94 Import from Hong Kong (Not sure if that makes a difference) and it's definitely the gearbox dipstick, the engine oil dipstick is at the front and the oil is a nice brown colour, the gearbox one is ti the right of the engine block, buried quite deep down and is as described in the owners manual... I will try and get some pics tonight, i guess if it's low that means there's a leak somewhere... which could explain my earlier thread about the smell of oil in the cabin....... I'll try topping up through the dipstick hole and see if that helps.... any idea if i should be using ATF or Gearbox oil.... and what specification, it did say in the owners manual but i left that at home and want to get some on the way home....

[CALICO 130]

there should be a drain plug possibly with an allen key hole in the middle and therefore also a level plug i think on the 4motion they are at the front of the gearbox

[DreadedDev 0]

Have you ever done this? I really don't want to hand over £160 notes to VW just to change some fluid, but wonder how you know where to fill it up to. It says to check the level when it's warmed through, but obviously when you put it in it will be cold.....

Also, currently when i check the dipstick it actually looks high, but is an oily brown colour rather than red, is this just due to wear, or is it likely than someone's just put normal gearbox oil in (hence all the problems)..... Any advice greatly appreciated... trying to buy some ramps to do this and another job with off e-bay at the moment....

[CALICO 130]

v6 4 motion uses 2 different plugs

mine is a sealed unit so got a garage to do it

[DreadedDev 0]

Damn! Phoned Mr Clutch but they said they wouldn't touch it, because it was electrically controlled (ECU). surely if you can get the plugs in and out it's just a case of draining and then filling... has anyone done this here at all?? Really wishing I hadn't got an auto!!

[benovr6 0]

to check level,selector in park and engine idling and at normal running temp,if its low top up by pouring down atf dipstick tube. if its a 3 speed gearbox oil and filter change is quite straight forward

[DreadedDev 0]

Thanks, will try that... I think it has at least 4 gears, the "gearstick" has P, R,N, D, 3,2 1 on it and there is definitely some more gears beyond 3... how do you change the oil (VW say specialist tools are required, why??) and where is the filter etc.... Any help / guidance / photos appreciated,,,,,