2004 Volkswagen Passat drain wrong fluid

EGOSLAWSKI

MEMBER
2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
55,000 MILES

I'm one of those who accidentially drained the wrong fluid. My intentions were to change the oil, but the oil plug was hidden and I drained what looked to be the trans fluid. Is that the fluid I drained or was this front differential fluid? I drained an allen plug at the bottom of what looks to be the transmission pan. The fluid didn't look to be that of transmission, but thinner viscocity and darker in color, not red. Please help.

2 Replies

EUGENE123

MECHANIC
273 POSTS

The way to tell if it is trans fluid is to look at your transmission pan which is on the transmission usually a gray color and partially flat. Most transmissions don't have a drain plug but some do so check that then post back ;)

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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 9:43 AM

EGOSLAWSKI

MEMBER
2 POSTS

This issue is I drained a darker fluid, not red, from what looks to be the bottom of the trans pan. The plug is a allen and easily accessible. I know I drained out over a quart and thought it was trans fluid, but when I went to fill the trans it wouldn't take any. So somewhere I'm still short fluid. Is there any way this is differential fluid or transfer case fluid (all wheel drive)?

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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 11:46 AM