002, 3-Rib Transmission Check
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 12:07 pm
02/27/2015
I recently put this 002, 3-rib transmission up for sale in the Pgh area "CL'" for high dollars and was quickly baraged by local 'sand-railing, tranny destroyin', shallow pocketed' potential buyers. "Hey, I'll give ya a hundert dollars fer it as it sits", "All I want it fer is the ring and pinion", blah, etc, blah. This transmission came from a 1972 Transporter 'parts bus' that I had acquired and was intended to be my 'back-up' trans. One of the more serious yahoo's asked a few questions that I was not prepared to answer - does it go into all
gears?, does it have reverse? is the fluid 'burnt'? I thought I should check these things out before any further selling. I searched for some wisdom on 'another' VW Site; after reading hours of mind numbing transmission debates, I decided to check back here. BTW, thanks again CK for the 'get back on track' approach for diagnostics. I found a few things:
-The shaft moves easily in and out. Wrapped heavily in duct tape (sorry no leather available), I could easily vise grab the end and gently force the motion
-The 17mm Fill plug, when cleaned, easily backed out with small breaker bar assist. It looks like someone had removed the 'fill plug' at sometime. Actually, it looks like someone 'peened' the plug out - animals!
-The fluid level seemed low; perhaps 1&1/2 qt. low
-The fluid did not smell burnt
-The drain plug, when cleaned, appeared to be brand new, untouched, never. No scratches, beautiful threads, 17mm fit perfectly
-There was no beard, none. I thought that there would be a beard and I was prepared to photograph.
-The fluid was slightly darkened, but still seemed clean. I captured about 1/2 cup in a clear glass dish (do not tell wife!) and it was easy to see thru the fluid.
-I found very few and very tiny particles in the drain pan after settling overnight (see pic).
Ok, well, now I don't know what to do. I deleted the 'CL' sales ad; I am considering keeping the transmission (fill it up, check for leaks, bag it up, put it back on the shelf). Here are the questions -
How do you determine if a transmission is engaging all gears (and even 'reverse')? Is that even possible? The tranny is lashed to a dolly and has no 'shift' mechanism attached. I can get the differentials to move by spinning the rear driveshaft. Still, how do I know what gear I am in (if any)?
Also, one 'potential buyer' wanted to stop over, stand the transmission on end, remove the 8 nuts holding the nose cone (?) and check something (I don't remember what). I was greatly opposed to doing any on-the-fly disassembly especially if it caused the 'buyer' to back out leaving me with a partially disassembled transmission (and probably a toxic waste dump on the garage floor).
What else should I be looking for and checking?
Please enjoy the photos, advice and comments appreciated. I'm thawing out now, getting a sammich and some coffee and heading back to the icebox (garage).
Thanks, they don't call me runamuck for nothing - Tim
I recently put this 002, 3-rib transmission up for sale in the Pgh area "CL'" for high dollars and was quickly baraged by local 'sand-railing, tranny destroyin', shallow pocketed' potential buyers. "Hey, I'll give ya a hundert dollars fer it as it sits", "All I want it fer is the ring and pinion", blah, etc, blah. This transmission came from a 1972 Transporter 'parts bus' that I had acquired and was intended to be my 'back-up' trans. One of the more serious yahoo's asked a few questions that I was not prepared to answer - does it go into all
gears?, does it have reverse? is the fluid 'burnt'? I thought I should check these things out before any further selling. I searched for some wisdom on 'another' VW Site; after reading hours of mind numbing transmission debates, I decided to check back here. BTW, thanks again CK for the 'get back on track' approach for diagnostics. I found a few things:
-The shaft moves easily in and out. Wrapped heavily in duct tape (sorry no leather available), I could easily vise grab the end and gently force the motion
-The 17mm Fill plug, when cleaned, easily backed out with small breaker bar assist. It looks like someone had removed the 'fill plug' at sometime. Actually, it looks like someone 'peened' the plug out - animals!
-The fluid level seemed low; perhaps 1&1/2 qt. low
-The fluid did not smell burnt
-The drain plug, when cleaned, appeared to be brand new, untouched, never. No scratches, beautiful threads, 17mm fit perfectly
-There was no beard, none. I thought that there would be a beard and I was prepared to photograph.
-The fluid was slightly darkened, but still seemed clean. I captured about 1/2 cup in a clear glass dish (do not tell wife!) and it was easy to see thru the fluid.
-I found very few and very tiny particles in the drain pan after settling overnight (see pic).
Ok, well, now I don't know what to do. I deleted the 'CL' sales ad; I am considering keeping the transmission (fill it up, check for leaks, bag it up, put it back on the shelf). Here are the questions -
How do you determine if a transmission is engaging all gears (and even 'reverse')? Is that even possible? The tranny is lashed to a dolly and has no 'shift' mechanism attached. I can get the differentials to move by spinning the rear driveshaft. Still, how do I know what gear I am in (if any)?
Also, one 'potential buyer' wanted to stop over, stand the transmission on end, remove the 8 nuts holding the nose cone (?) and check something (I don't remember what). I was greatly opposed to doing any on-the-fly disassembly especially if it caused the 'buyer' to back out leaving me with a partially disassembled transmission (and probably a toxic waste dump on the garage floor).
What else should I be looking for and checking?
Please enjoy the photos, advice and comments appreciated. I'm thawing out now, getting a sammich and some coffee and heading back to the icebox (garage).
Thanks, they don't call me runamuck for nothing - Tim