I know this sounds crazy, I’m the guy with the Bergman engine and shroud. Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I tried researching this but couldn’t find out where the tranny oil dip stick is located.
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Transaxle oil dipstick? The OEM transaxle has a hex drain plug in the bottom and another on the side to check the level. There is no dipstick - fill until the fluid runs out. Always make sure you can remove the refill plug before you remove the drain plug!
Well, that's because there isn't a dip-stick!
Those blessed German Engineers figured that none of those little old ladies driving VW Beetles would ever need to check Tranny oil and their mechanics would be trained how to do it so they simply deleted it.
To check your oil:
Get the car up on a lift or on a set of four jack stands so that it is reasonably level (use a carpenter's level on the door sill).
Look on the driver's side of the transaxle case about mid-way along the side and there will be a hex-socket threaded plug - you'll need a 17mm allen wrench to remove it. I have seen some plugs that have a 14mm or 1/2" square stud that you can use a 1/2" wrench to remove. Look for either one.
Remove the plug and either a little transaxle oil will flow out, or nothing at all. If a little flows out, then your transaxle is full, so just replace the plug.
To fill: I get the hypoid oil in a quart bottle with a little pointy spout on the top, which you can attach a piece of clear vinyl tubing to. You can also use an automatic transmission fill tube that threads right onto a quart bottle (Autozone).
Then stick the other end of the tube into the un-plugged hole on the tranny side, hold the quart bottle at a slight downward angle up around the height of the transaxle and squeeze the bottle to squirt the oil into the tranny. Keep doing this until the oil begins to run out of the hole (have a rag handy), then pull the tubing out and replace the teflon-wrapped inspection plug.
You remembered to clean the plug and then wrap it with teflon tape, right? Or at least use some teflon-style thread sealant on it and have it ready to pop back in when the oil is running out.
OK, so re-insert the plug and run it in finger tight, then use a torque wrench to 14 ft. lbs. NO MORE.
That's it!
Thanks Guys! I’m learning quite a bit here in this forum! Appreciate all the knowledge!
Don't be fooled by some of us...... We make it up as we go along.
theres no shortage of dipsticks here
You guys are killing me😂
We don't say "Welcome to the Madness" fer nuthin', Mike.