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critical question about transmission fluid leak

22K views 33 replies 11 participants last post by  Passat2.8 
#1 ·
does the passat b5 2000 auto have a transmission dipstick?
i think i may have a leak and i cant find any way to check tranny fluid levels.

i checked under my car today while doing an oil change and there was some clear grayish colored fluid on this round ribbed metal part.

not much, just a drop.
yesterday while i was driving i noticed power loss.
the car was accelerating slower as if it were going uphill.
i hope the transmission isnt low on fluid. someone help.

my questions:
is there a dipstick or way to check fluid.

and does auto tranny fluid look clear / grayish.
 
#3 ·
i checked under my car today while doing an oil change and there was some clear grayish colored fluid on this round ribbed metal part.

not much, just a drop.
yesterday while i was driving i noticed power loss.
the car was accelerating slower as if it were going uphill.
i hope the transmission isnt low on fluid. someone help.
I have the exact same issue. Instead of the gray drop you had under the ribbed part, I had a red drop. I have a B5.5 1.8T Auto.
I am sure if you leave it parked in the same spot for a few days you will see a small puddle of ATF under it.
Whatever the issue is, I think we have the same problem. If there are others with this problem or you had it fixed please let us know.
 
#4 ·
a red drop wouldn't be tranny fluid unless your transmission fluid is different then the normal gold, or the old dirty blackish color thats shown in the taligentx guide. a red drop is normally leaking motor mounts as the hydraulic fluid in them leak and look red or purple...also theVW G12/G12+ Coolant is a pinkish red color also but I don't think any red fluid should be from the transmission itself

To the original Poster: I don't see a picture but what round ribbed metal part are you talking about? Clear grayish colored fluid...maybe brake fluid? or Power steering fluid? I'm not sure what color P/S fluid is but I know brake fluid is clearish. As for feeling like you were going up hill, any chance you didnt put in enough oil? It could be psychological but sometimes when I feel I'm getting close to needing an oil change and starting to get lower the car feels like it needs a little extra push on the pedal, but after adding oil it runs better. The v6 (at least 2003+, definitley the ATQ) takes up to 6.5 quarts of oil, my last car took 4, maybe 5 qts and this definitely holds more oil for a 6 cylinder then I think most others.
 
#5 ·
i actually just did an oil change yesterday and added a new purolator filter
and mobile1 10w40 full synthetic and the car still feels like crap.

when i wiped off the fluid from under the car it was a dirty gray color.
but it was just a small amount.
ill try to take pictures tomorrow morning of the exact location.

i have a 2000 v6 atq.
i drove the car for 2 hours on the highway yesterday and it didnt break down but i definitely notice power loss and even when i let go of the gas sometimes and the car starts slowing down, i can feel it grinding down.
not like a grinding noise but its more rough and it feels like it may be transmission related.
 
#7 ·
update:
here are two pics of the leaks i found.
the coolant leak is leaving drops of red on the hose that goes to
the oil filter. the thick black hose.

the 2nd pic is the round ribbed metal piece that i found the gray fluid drops on.

any ideas anyone?
also today i just checked my oil level and the dipstick is halfway between the two orange parts. when just two days ago i filled it up to the top with 6 qts of oil and a new filter.
strange? anyone know whats up?


 
#8 ·
Look up above where the coolant drips are on that hose, if you see nothing I would suggest replacing those old clamps with some screw type hose clamps. Dried G12 turns into pink crust everywhere it is if you have had the leak for a little while. Kinda makes it easier to spot problems.

Is your oil filter on tight enough? again check out above it for signs of a leak. It may be the oil filter gasket or something simple.

If your coolant and oil look normal than there probably is not a problem with the oil cooler.
 
#9 ·
when removing the old filter it wouldnt come off.
i had to use a tool to remove it (witch made holes in the filter)
the new one is a purolator and i screwed it on tight. ill tighten it more.

the coolant leak has been there for MONTHS.
its not a large leak, just drips. ive only had to add g12 once, it never went much below the minimum mark line.

i dont see anything above the hoses. seems like its coming out of that fat hose that goes to the oil filter.

as far as the other leak in the back on the round ribbed part, i have no idea what it is or when it started happening.

my car is loosing oil for some reason. a full dipstick two days ago to a half dipstick today is super odd.
helppp
 
#10 ·
The ribbed part is the transmission case. Can you go directly under the case and take pictures pointing the camera upwards like I have done on this thread:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/42-club-b5/330450-2002-1-8t-auto-fwd-tranny-oil-leak-pics.html

This will help to compare if your leak is coming from the same area as mine. It may be a common problem with the TIP trannys.

You probably still have OEM ATF so it is a different color than my ATF which was replaced by Indy 4 months ago. In any case my leak seems much worse than yours, so good luck.
 
#12 ·
Depending on the filter, the ATQ holds 6.5-6.75 liters. You only put in 6 and the filter is full of air when installed. Once the filter fills, the level drops. That is why you have to check the oil level after running the car and letting it sit for several minutes for the oil to work it's way back down to the pan.
 
#15 ·
thats weird. mine has never needed more than 6 qts.
maybe i never drained out the whole oil.
im going to get under the car and look for some more leaks and snap some pictures.

when i started the car this morning it shook for a few seconds while it was warming up.
that was the 1st time it has ever done that.
 
#16 ·
Found another leak

while looking under the car to snap more photos for yall.
i found another leak and took pics of it.
everything is circled in red.
i also took a pic of the oil filter where the coolant leak is. and you can see
some dry g12 (i think)

i am almost positive its a tranny fluid leak now that i found another spot.
and its the same greyish color. helpppp


new leak i located



coolant leak and stain

and some more random undershots of the area that yall wanted.


 
#17 ·
shaking like a rough idle or shaking like a misfire? I have an 2003 atq, and from just time and mileage I'm pretty sure a clogged PCV system has caused a leak in the valve cover gaskets. I found this out by changing the spark plugs and finding a good amount of oil in 4/6 wells.

I hadn't noticed any symptoms before I found out so your leak sounds more drastic. but if the oil is in the spark plug wells it could cause some misfiring until it all burns up and that can feel like the car is shaking.

If its not a bad leak on the ground it could be getting burnt up through the exhaust (you could have some white smoke if its bad) but If your noticing a significant loss of oil its gotta be going somewhere.
 
#29 ·
thank you guys for helpin me with finding a diy for the atf change.
but i still need to find out what that leak is and how to fix it and why my
car is acting up.

im going to have to get the car lifted up and take a closer look under.
i can only do so much laying under the car in front of the house
 
#30 ·
BEE5, depending on your budget, you may want to have someone look at this for you. Getting the car level, up on four jackstands, may be more trouble than it's worth. When my transmission pan gasket started leaking, I was referred by my VW dealer to a ZF transmission specialist. With a lift and the right tools, it's quick and easy to check the level - they didn't even charge me. (Actually replacing the gasket was another story).

It can be difficult to tell where something is leaking; it spreads and drips all over. Maybe an experienced eye would do better.
 
#31 ·
right on. i guess im going to have to let an expert fix this one for me.
this looks like one thing this DIYer just cant tackle.
im pretty low on funds so i guess the passat is going to have to sit in the driveway for a few months
untill i can handle it
 
#32 ·
BEE5, I am sure you can tackle it. This is not as tough as it sounds. Do you have a floor jack and jack stands? Buying the tools will be cheaper than getting it done by someone.

I have a floor jack and 2 stands that's why I have not been able to tackle it yet. This weekend I plan to get 2 more from AAP for $25. I will clean my tranny area with some engine degreaser and then check my tranny fluid and top it off if needed. Never done it before but there is a first time for everything.
 
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