Alternate way to fill a VW 4-speed auto?

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wavinwayne

wavinwayne

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I'm approching 100k miles on the original transmission fluid in my '00 VW GTI. It has the 4-speed automatic. I believe it is an "01M" transmission, but I can't swear to it. I want to change the fluid to Valvoline Maxlife, which states on the back of the bottle that it is recommended for 2005 & earlier VW transmissions. I would drain/re-fill it every 30-40k miles thereafter.

Anyway, to properly check the fluid on this unit after a re-fill, you're supposed to use a VAG-COM to monitor the fluid temp, then at a certain temp (neither hot nor cold), remove part of a 2-piece drain plug. If the fluid comes out a few drips at a time, it is filled properly. If nothing comes out, it is low; if it pours out, it is overfilled.

I do not have a VAG-COM, and don't plan to buy one. What I'm thinking about doing is odd, but see if there are any obvious flaws in my thinking. I want to drain the transmission fluid from the pan, then intentionally over-fill by a quart when I refill it. I will then remove the aforementioned drain plug, and wait until the fluid pouring out has slowed to a drip. At that point, it should be at the proper level.

Am I all wet, or should this work?
 
Good God...could they have possibly made this more difficult? Maybe they should have just installed an opaque window on the side of the transmission to check the level.

Anyway..sorry. I can't recommend you overfill an auto transmission, especially by a full quart. If I were you, I'd find a shop manual for your specific car and find out how much they specify for a drain and refill, and let that be your starting point. Overfilling can cause foaming and can be more damaging than just leaving the old fluid in.
 
I would refill with the amount that you drained out, plus 1/2 qt, and that should be fine. One quart over is too much. I see transmissions overfilled by 1/4-1/2 qt and they operate without any adverse effects.
 
I'm having trouble understanding why over-filling would be a bad thing in my case. As you can see in the sketch below, the way the drain tube is designed, any over-fill will simply drain out until the fluid is at the proper level. Right? or No?

transmissionpan.jpg
 
No, the overflow tube will only drain out any over-fill if the fluid is at the proper temp for a fluid level check.

If the fluid temp is not in the proper range for a fluid level check, the overflow tube will not function correctly. You'll either drain out too much or too little fluid, leading to either an underfill or overfill, respectively.

I would just add back in what you drain out + 1/2 qt and not even bother checking the level if you don't have a VAG-COM.
 
What phase does the moon have to be in and the dark night that you are supposed to check the level. What kind of candles do you use.

Why don't you go to a dealer and ask for advise from a mechanic. Ignore the service salesman. There must be a way to do it without any special tools.
 
I would think that one could connect a multimeter to the transmission fluid temperature sensor..then you'd just need to know what voltage reading corresponds to the correct temperature.

Or maybe you could feel the transmission to determine if the fluid is at the correct temperature..this is how it can be done on the GM 4T40/4T45E transmission. GM, as I recall, says the fluid should be about 105F. That means the pan should feel warm to the touch, but not too hot.
 
Quote:

Or maybe you could feel the transmission to determine if the fluid is at the correct temperature..this is how it can be done on the GM 4T40/4T45E transmission. GM, as I recall, says the fluid should be about 105F. That means the pan should feel warm to the touch, but not too hot.

Click to expand...

Or he could try an infrared thermometer.
 
If you don't have access to a Vag-Com, you can follow this process.

Refill the transmission with fluid then start the engine, run the transmission thru each gear including reverse. The transmission fluid needs to be 95*-113* if a infrared thermometer is use. Then pull the check plug till you see the fluid just drips out of the hole. I can check fluid capacity tomorrow at work if would like.

Also I would change the differential fluid while your at it. The 01M uses gear oil, 09A only uses ATF.
 
Like Brian says, the GM 4T40/45E and 4L30E spec a special temperature requirement for ATF level checking. It's not needed and I don't know of a tech that follows it. The main thing is checking level at normal operating temps, idling on a level surface. Some trans spec to check in park, some in neutral, depending on how the particular trans pumps it's ATF.

Joel
 
There is a small breather on the front of the transmission above the pan. Pull this breather out along with the rubber grommet and place a hose running in. Fill the transmission from this hole and remember, have fun....
wink.gif
 
Quote:

There is a small breather on the front of the transmission above the pan. Pull this breather out along with the rubber grommet and place a hose running in. Fill the transmission from this hole and remember, have fun....
wink.gif


Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I'll try to find what you're talking about when I get ready to do this job.
 
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