94 Jetta III - Transmission Fluid/Oil Level

Hey Kyle what are you in need of checking the trany oil for? Have you noticed any problems like a leak or 5th gear popping out?

Well to answer your question, its pretty simple once you know how and get the hang of it. Basically theres a Plug on the side of the transmissions. It'll be on the drivers side right next to the wheel. You'll need a 17mm Allen wrench, or homemade tool using the right size bolt head and a couple nuts, to take it off. To get to it I'd suggest turning the wheels all the way to the left, then there'll be a plastic shield next to the wheel you'll have to rip out and that'll expose the side of the trany. Basically as long as the fluid is level with that hole then you should be good to go.

You might wanna mention your mileage. I'm not sure offhand when one should normally replace the oil. IIRC Bentley & VW say it should last the lifetime of the vehicle or never need replacement. But I think at around 100k I switched over to Redline MT-90 just to be on the safe side.

I don't know when they switched over to the new way of doing things (probably before your car), but I still don't see the point. Fill through the speedometer cable hole and drain through the plug at the bottom. The drain plug requires a 17mm hex wrench (Sears sells it, or you can ghetto rig a lug bolt). The speedo cable can be removed with an 11mm socket on a long extension. Remove the bolt holding in the bracket and then jiggle it loose.

The car takes 2 liters (2.1 quarts -- but most people just use 2 quarts in the US) of GL-4 transmission fluid (*NOT* GL-5 or anything that says GL-5 compliant regardless of whether or not its GL-4 compliant). Most people recommend Redline MTL or MT-90 (for cooler and warmer climates respectively). Bentley claims the fluid is good for the life of the car, but its probably not a bad idea to replace it every 10 years or so. Besides, Redline is a lot better than the stuff VW was using in 94. Plus its bright red, so if its leaking, its pretty obvious what it is.

I personally wouldn't take it to Bob's Transmission-O-Rama... Why bother? It's no harder than any other oil change, you just need basic hand tools, a funnel, and a 17mm hex wrench.

I bought the 17mm hex at Sears and for the life of me I can't get the port to budge. My car has 150K and I think it should be checked and changed. Tried some PB blaster last night as well. Would you recommend finding a socket 17mm Allen and a breaker bar? With the Sears allen I don't seem to have enough leverage with the car on the ground - tomorrow will put it on ramps and try again. I guess I could get a steel pipe and slip it on the end but the hex key is a little wobbly in the port (both drain and fill check) so I don't want to strip it. Any suggestions? On my VR6 I think my speedo is at the back of the trans near the manifold downpipe - the Bentley doesn't show it - is this correct?

Yes, that's what I use. Funny enough, I filled my trans with Redline MTL and then two years later decided to check the level -- I had to use the breaker bar again and I about gave myself a hernia doing it! I know I didn't put it in *that* tight.

I guess the speedo hole works, I just used the level-check-hole and some tubing to fill though. One thing I suggest is filling, driving around the block to work any bubbles out, then checking and topping off as needed.

I really like the Redline. Seems to shift easier on those cold winter days. It helped my 2nd gear "crunch" in my Fox too, a little bit. Still crunches sometimes but not as bad.

I have a steel pipe, about 2-3 feet long that fits perfectly over the 17mm hex key and most 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets. I love it. With 150k miles on the car, if its never been budged, its not unreasonable to assume you'd need extra leverage.

I've always gotten the thing off with the hex key. With stuff that big, its hard to strip it -- but, its always possible. Use your best judgement. A 17mm bit socket is available as a specialty tool, but it'll be expensive. If you can get a welder, an easy alternative maybe to simply weld a nut onto a lug bolt. Remember, as long as you can get it out, you can replace it with a new one. If you can't, and you strip it, you've got a problem.

On the A2's its on the driver's side of the car near the reverse light switch. It's pretty obvious because there's a greyish-green speedometer cable (maybe 8mm in diameter) running down to it. If the car doesn't have a speedo cable it might be less obvious. Don't even think about trying to remove either of the 17mm set screws until you have the speedo hole open

-- and I wouldn't even mess with the "fill hole" anyway. Also, it should go without saying, but don't dump fluid onto your clutch/flywheel through the sight plug.

You don't even need a welder for that. Some flux, a brazing rod, and a propane torch is all you need to attach the nut to the bolt.

And you don't even need that. Put two nuts on your lug bolt and tighten them to each other. Now stick your bolt in your trans plug and turn on the inner nut.

replying to blah, Timothy Todd Hagan wrote: Okay u say fill thru spedo cable and the guy b4 says behind drivers front wheel? Which is it for a 94 Jetta do u know? Also, if it is how u say can I see the level b4 I buy and add?

replying to tylernt, Timothy Todd Hagan wrote: Any ideas on the major "crunch" as u put it on my 94 Jetta only when in reverse. Could it just be low fluid...