Potential Transaxle problem

[PurpleBeetle]

Hey everyone, hopefully I can get some help on here.

I have an Automatic 1999 VW beetle that has been working fine for the past few months apart from shifting fairly hard when going into 2nd or 3rd. Yesterday after it had been parked for about 24 hours I noticed a small leak underneath it. It looks like the leak is coming from the oil pan, however, when I dabbed it with a paper towel I saw the liquid was a light pink colour. Usually that means it's transaxle fluid I thought but doesn't make much sense to me about where its coming from. I'm thinking that could also account for the hard shifts. What do you guys think???

Thank you

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by PurpleBeetle

Hey everyone, hopefully I can get some help on here.

I have an Automatic 1999 VW beetle that has been working fine for the past few months apart from shifting fairly hard when going into 2nd or 3rd. Yesterday after it had been parked for about 24 hours I noticed a small leak underneath it. It looks like the leak is coming from the oil pan, however, when I dabbed it with a paper towel I saw the liquid was a light pink colour. Usually that means it's transaxle fluid I thought but doesn't make much sense to me about where its coming from. I'm thinking that could also account for the hard shifts. What do you guys think???

Thank you

That's coolant. VW auto tranny fluid for your year car is more like a lightweight hydraulic oil, so it it starts out amber and as it ages and degrades turns to brown, then black, just like your motor oil. Sometimes, (stressing sometimes) servicing the trans w/ fresh fluid & filter can bring it back to life. Perhaps. And, not just any monkey can do it, the process is quite unique, there is a how-to posted in the tech section of this website. Now, to your coolant leak: check your "heart valve". It is the black plastic thing that all the hose connect to on the driver trans end of the engine and it bolts directly onto that side of the engine. After time, so many heat cyles, etc. they can start to leak and/or crack. Luckily, they are cheap, and relatively easy to change out. Good luck.