Automatic Transmission (type 096)

[bluerallye]

Hi all,

Be interested to hear thoughts / past experiences on the following.

I have a T4 Westfalia ’93 2.5 AAF with an Auto Transmission (096 4-speed, dipstick type) imported from Japan in around ‘14. The van has an alleged 112,000km / 70,000mls on the clock and based on the limited paperwork, condition of the interior / chassis / engine / bodywork etc. I have no reason to doubt this.

As part of the overall preventative maintenance (coupled with numerous web based opinions that the transmissions can be a bit fragile), next on the list was a transmission strainer & fluid change but there are just a few things that are niggling me, hence why I'm looking for further advice on this. Sort of broke it down into Why, Why Nots, Pro, Cons so bear with me.


Why

Unknown History (possibly 23 year old fluid in there)

Seems to be overfull on dipstick when cold (above 20degC mark, between min-max mark), however there are no symptoms of a drastic overfill apparent and I can’t find anything on the web regarding a mild overfill being used to mask potential issues?


Why not

Colour / smell of fluid does not indicate any desperate need for a change – It is on the orange side of red but not brown / black, smells reasonably healthy, nothing unusual.

No issues apparent with transmission, quick to take up, smooth on gear change both up and down the ‘box


Pros

Fresh fluid / strainer

I know it would be filled as per VAG guideline quantities – on 20C mark when cold, min – max at 80C and above max when hot


Cons

Ain’t broke, don’t fix it



Ultimately I’d like to do it but I seem to have convinced myself to leave it, mainly because of the current doubts re. the fill level and the fact there are no issues with the box.


Any advice gratefully received!


***IGNORE! I WAS BEING A DUMBASS AND CHECKING FLUID LEVELS WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING. ALL APPEARS NORMAL***

 

[Jay20cali]

Hi all,

Be interested to hear thoughts / past experiences on the following.

I have a T4 Westfalia ’93 2.5 AAF with an Auto Transmission (096 4-speed, dipstick type) imported from Japan in around ‘14. The van has an alleged 112,000km / 70,000mls on the clock and based on the limited paperwork, condition of the interior / chassis / engine / bodywork etc. I have no reason to doubt this.

As part of the overall preventative maintenance (coupled with numerous web based opinions that the transmissions can be a bit fragile), next on the list was a transmission strainer & fluid change but there are just a few things that are niggling me, hence why I'm looking for further advice on this. Sort of broke it down into Why, Why Nots, Pro, Cons so bear with me.


Why

Unknown History (possibly 23 year old fluid in there)

Seems to be overfull on dipstick when cold (above 20degC mark, between min-max mark), however there are no symptoms of a drastic overfill apparent and I can’t find anything on the web regarding a mild overfill being used to mask potential issues?


Why not

Colour / smell of fluid does not indicate any desperate need for a change – It is on the orange side of red but not brown / black, smells reasonably healthy, nothing unusual.

No issues apparent with transmission, quick to take up, smooth on gear change both up and down the ‘box


Pros

Fresh fluid / strainer

I know it would be filled as per VAG guideline quantities – on 20C mark when cold, min – max at 80C and above max when hot


Cons

Ain’t broke, don’t fix it



Ultimately I’d like to do it but I seem to have convinced myself to leave it, mainly because of the current doubts re. the fill level and the fact there are no issues with the box.


Any advice gratefully received!


***IGNORE! I WAS BEING A DUMBASS AND CHECKING FLUID LEVELS WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING. ALL APPEARS NORMAL***

Are you having any problems with it??
I recently got a t4 multivan in px as my daily driver, it was auto and it had issues,,
I called every gearbox specialist I could and they all said the same thing, there very unreliable.i decided to do a manual conversion on it myself not fun but apparently the best thing to do as repair costs on an auto box can reach 3k.....
it's a shame because auto can be quite nice but anyway my advice would be if it's working leave it alone maybe a quick oil service and join a breakdown service.

 

[Jay20cali]

Hi all,

Be interested to hear thoughts / past experiences on the following.

I have a T4 Westfalia ’93 2.5 AAF with an Auto Transmission (096 4-speed, dipstick type) imported from Japan in around ‘14. The van has an alleged 112,000km / 70,000mls on the clock and based on the limited paperwork, condition of the interior / chassis / engine / bodywork etc. I have no reason to doubt this.

As part of the overall preventative maintenance (coupled with numerous web based opinions that the transmissions can be a bit fragile), next on the list was a transmission strainer & fluid change but there are just a few things that are niggling me, hence why I'm looking for further advice on this. Sort of broke it down into Why, Why Nots, Pro, Cons so bear with me.


Why

Unknown History (possibly 23 year old fluid in there)

Seems to be overfull on dipstick when cold (above 20degC mark, between min-max mark), however there are no symptoms of a drastic overfill apparent and I can’t find anything on the web regarding a mild overfill being used to mask potential issues?


Why not

Colour / smell of fluid does not indicate any desperate need for a change – It is on the orange side of red but not brown / black, smells reasonably healthy, nothing unusual.

No issues apparent with transmission, quick to take up, smooth on gear change both up and down the ‘box


Pros

Fresh fluid / strainer

I know it would be filled as per VAG guideline quantities – on 20C mark when cold, min – max at 80C and above max when hot


Cons

Ain’t broke, don’t fix it



Ultimately I’d like to do it but I seem to have convinced myself to leave it, mainly because of the current doubts re. the fill level and the fact there are no issues with the box.


Any advice gratefully received!


***IGNORE! I WAS BEING A DUMBASS AND CHECKING FLUID LEVELS WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING. ALL APPEARS NORMAL***

By the way if you ever need parts and your in the uk I have a auto box here that I removed it had issues but would be a good thing for parts it was only fully rebuilt in 2011

 

[bluerallye]

Hi Jay17cali,

Thanks for the response. No issues with it whatsoever, I was just planning to give it fresh fluid and filters but got spooked by the oil level appearing overfull. Now appears ok so I’ll just carry on and give it a change. If it ever goes I think I’d look at the manual conversion

 

[Jay20cali]

Hi Jay17cali,

Thanks for the response. No issues with it whatsoever, I was just planning to give it fresh fluid and filters but got spooked by the oil level appearing overfull. Now appears ok so I’ll just carry on and give it a change. If it ever goes I think I’d look at the manual conversion

Cool
I would of stuck with the auto box if it was working,but I was lead to believe when they give up don't bother fixing them it's too expensive??
Big westy fan too I love em happy camping buddy